All fish / Pomacentridae

Dark-fin Chromis

Pycnochromis atripes

Also known as darkfin chromis, dark-fin chromis, chromis atripes, yellow-eye chromis, クロヒレスズメダイ, 黑鳍光鳃鱼

A small brownish-grey damselfish with a dark edge to the fins, a dark spot at the base of the pectoral fin and a bright eye. It lives in loose groups over outer reef slopes and drop-offs, picking plankton from the water. Keepers choose it as a hardy, reef-safe, mostly peaceful schooling fish for reef tanks.

Care at a glance

Care level

Easy

Temperament

Peaceful

Adult size

6 cm

Temperature

24 to 28 °C

pH

8.1 to 8.4

Smallest tank

120 litres

Keep as

Group of 5 or more in an odd number, or keep singly

Diet

Omnivore: frozen mysis, brine shrimp, copepods, marine flake and small pellets

Swims

Middle of the tank

Lifespan

5 to 8 years

Water

Marine (saltwater)

Wild range

Indo-West Pacific: Indonesia and the Philippines east to Micronesia, Samoa and northern Australia

Breeding

Males clear a nest site on rock and guard eggs laid by the female until they hatch after a few days. Spawning can happen in aquaria, but raising the tiny pelagic larvae is very difficult and rarely achieved.

Good to know

Groups can develop a pecking order and weaker fish may be bullied, so give plenty of rockwork and swimming space. It is often confused with other dull brown chromis species and is now usually placed in the genus Pycnochromis.