All fish / Pomacentridae

Bicolor Chromis

Chromis margaritifer

Also known as bicolour chromis, bicolor chromis, two-tone chromis, bicolor puller, half and half chromis, yes, シコクスズメ, 双色光鳃鱼, 白尾光鳃鱼

A small damselfish with a dark brown to black front body and a sharply contrasting white rear half and tail. It is hardy, active and reef safe, so it is popular as a lively mid-water fish in reef aquariums.

Care at a glance

Care level

Easy

Temperament

Semi

Adult size

7 cm

Temperature

24 to 28 °C

pH

8.1 to 8.4

Smallest tank

110 litres

Keep as

Singly or in a group of 5 or more in a large tank

Diet

Omnivore: mysis and brine shrimp, copepods, quality flakes and pellets, fed several times daily

Swims

Middle of the tank

Lifespan

4 to 8 years

Water

Marine (saltwater)

Wild range

Eastern Indian Ocean and western Pacific, from Christmas Island to the Line Islands and Tuamotus

Breeding

Males prepare a nest site on rock where females lay adhesive eggs, which the male guards until they hatch. Spawning happens in aquariums, but rearing the tiny pelagic larvae is difficult and rarely done.

Good to know

It often gets more territorial than other chromis as it ages, and groups may squabble until only one or two remain in smaller tanks. Do not confuse it with the similar Chromis dimidiata, which has a less forked white tail.