All fish / Pomacentridae

Rainford's Chromis

Chromis earina

Also known as earina chromis, yellow-tail chromis, deep reef chromis, pacific yellowtail chromis, 厄氏光鳃鱼

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A small damselfish from deep reef drop-offs, with a lilac to bluish grey front half that fades into a bright yellow rear and tail. It is prized by reef keepers as a rare, colourful and fairly gentle chromis that suits peaceful reef tanks.

Care at a glance

Care level

Moderate

Temperament

Peaceful

Adult size

7 cm

Temperature

22 to 26 °C

pH

8.1 to 8.4

Smallest tank

200 litres

Keep as

Small group of 3 or more, or a single fish

Diet

Carnivore: mysis, enriched brine shrimp, copepods, quality marine flakes and pellets

Swims

Middle of the tank

Lifespan

5 to 8 years

Water

Marine (saltwater)

Wild range

Western Pacific: Fiji, Vanuatu, New Caledonia, Papua New Guinea, Palau and nearby islands (deep reefs)

Breeding

Like other chromis it lays sticky eggs on hard surfaces that the male guards, followed by tiny pelagic larvae. Captive breeding has not been reliably reported and raising the larvae would be very difficult.

Good to know

Most specimens are collected from deep water (often below 60 m) so they are costly and need careful acclimatisation and cooler, dimmer conditions; they may be bullied by boisterous tankmates.