For people who have owned multiple Chromis .....

[Len]

Does (did) your chromis school? And what size tank did you keep them in?

 

[jbpig]

I had at one time 5 in my 150, most of the time they stayed together.

 

[taikonaut]

Only school when I waive my hand in front of the tank, otherwise, just stay in one corners doing muck.

 

[dgasmd]

They schooled at the begining. However, no matter how many I add, I still und up with 4 only over a period of a few weeks. Not the same 4 everytime either. This has happened after 3 different additions to a max of 12-14.

 

[Reef Guy11]

Mine School all the time. feeding,walking by, sitting and watching them. They'er never are apart unless when I am not looking they say okay break :lol:.

 

[Len]

I guess I should also ask a subsequent question: for those with schooling Chromis, how long have you had them?

I'm also trying to figure out at what size tank they start schooling, so tank size would be helpful

 

[Reef Guy11]

I have had mine for 3 months. Mine are in a 72 gal bowfront.

Are yours not schooling anymore. What size tank do you have them in.

We also have 50 Green Chromis in a 900 gal FO tank that my company I work for services.

 

[Len]

I've tried them several times in my 120. They'd school at first then go their seperate ways. Sometimes one would decide to harass the rest.

 

[EmilyB]

My four (original five) always schooled (155g). I sold them when I got my new tank, and they went into that school of three (230g) without missing a heartbeat. :lol:

Mine were quite large as I had them several years. The fifth one was behind the tank, perfectly preserved.... :?

 

[npaden]

I voted "Other".

I started out with 5 in my 6' 120 and have had as many as 13 in my 415 at one point. I wouldn't call their behaviour "schooling" but rather "shoaling". They typically hang out in a loose clump within about 12 to 18 inches of each other and move in the same general direction but I've never seen true schooling where their movements mirror each other like a snchronized ballet or something.

When I had the 13 sometimes they would split into 2 groups and run the tank separately in the 2 groups but mine have always hung together pretty well. I had the 5 for a couple years in my 120 and I've pretty much always had 10 or so in my 415.

FWIW, Nathan

 

[Anonymous]

Len - I had a school of 7 in my 215 gallon. They were in mortal terror of my harlequin tusk for about 2 months and stayed in a nice tight school and huddled even closer when he approached. When they figured out he wasn't a threat they ended up just all spreading out and doing their own thing during the day - I ended up catching all but one and trading them in.

If I ever get a gigantic tank, maybe 600 gallons I am going to make a school of about 10-12 juvenile coral catfish

 

[Reefman150]

I have 5 blue/green in my 150 for 2 years now. They are usually together unless it's bed time or the daily feeding frenzy.

 

[Aff]

Had 4 in a 75 and they schooled for a short time but then stopped. As they got bigger they became a very annoying part of the tank cause they would fight amongst each other some and became very nervous. At feeding time one of 'em would always dart to the top of the water and make a spashing sound and then they'd all run back into the rocks. This would happen usually 3-4 times a feeding. Made all my other fish nervous wrecks. In fact my flame angel used to stay out all the time when I first got it but shortly after being around them got to where it'd run at any motion. Chromis are the only fish I totally despise and will never put in another tank.

 

[Reefman150]

My understanding is that in a smaller school of them, they prefer an uneven number. ????????

 

[John_Brandt]

Technoshaman is onto the secret....

Schooling Chromis on reefs is a natural strategy against predatory fish. Put a grouper or snapper in your tank and watch the Chromis school immediately 8O

BTW Technoshaman, what's your name?

 

[Dan-in-Den]

I have 7 green chromis (about 4 weeks now) and they are always together.

The only time they are apart is at bedtime when they all grab their own individual caves and fight off any other chromis that wants to join them.

They are in a 125 gallon tank.

 

[Anonymous]

I'm singing the same tune as many here: I purchased 5 chromis in my 180 a few years back that shoaled for about six months, then went their separate ways. I don't believe I added any "big and scary" fish after that which might have caused them to re-shoal.

Re-shoal?

Chris

 

[Anonymous]

I'm singing the same tune as many here: I purchased 5 chromis in my 180 a few years back that shoaled for about six months, then went their separate ways. I don't believe I added any "big and scary" fish after that which might have caused them to re-shoal.

Re-shoal?

Chris

I have the one lone chromis who was smart enough to not get caught in the trap - the other 6 took me about 15 minutes total - I gave up on him after two hours. He is doing fine without them. I seem to remember the odd numbers having something to do with dispersing aggression among the group - just 2 and one will bully the other, 3 and they can spread the fighting around.

John - my name is Mike BTW.

 

[Juck]

I've had a group of 4 greens in various tanks and they always stayed together and only disappear into the rockwork at night.

Mind you,, they've always been in a tank with some 'bossy' fish,,, no chance they could ever claim any territory for themselves.

 

[Ralphyhp]

I have 5 green chromis at my 125g SPS tank and they hang together.They sleep on different places, three of them sleep on Acros. and two of them on caves. Did anybody haved seen their Chromis kissing each others. Mine use to do that, i think they are matting. Another thing is that i have 2 Tangs and two Pygmes Angels with them, IMO thats why they are always together.