All fish / Pomacentridae

Paletail Chromis

Chromis xanthura

Also known as paletail chromis, pale-tail chromis, white-tail chromis, whitetail chromis, black chromis, yellowtail chromis, シコクスズメダイ, 黄尾光鳃鱼

A dark grey to black chromis whose tail and the base of its tail fin turn white or pale, giving a striking two-tone look. It is hardy and active, and it suits larger reef tanks where it swims in open water.

Care at a glance

Care level

Easy

Temperament

Semi

Adult size

12 cm

Temperature

24 to 28 °C

pH

8.1 to 8.4

Smallest tank

300 litres

Keep as

Singly or in a small group in a large tank

Diet

Omnivore: mysis, brine shrimp, chopped seafood, marine flakes and pellets

Swims

Middle of the tank

Lifespan

5 to 10 years

Water

Marine (saltwater)

Wild range

Indo-West Pacific: eastern Indian Ocean to Indonesia, Philippines, Melanesia and Polynesia

Breeding

Males clear a nest on rock, then guard the eggs the female lays there. Captive spawning is rare and raising the tiny larvae is difficult.

Good to know

It grows bigger and becomes more territorial than the common green chromis, so give it plenty of space. Do not confuse it with the smaller Chromis dimidiata or other half-and-half chromis.