Lost my last Chromis

snakeblitz33

snakeblitz33

Well-Known Member
I had four and they disappeared over time. I was down to my last one, and kind of didn't want to give it away but didn't want to flush it either, so I kept him in there knowing that the little sucker would die sooner then any other fish.
Well, I couldn't find him in the tank tonight. I fed the fish like I always do and he didn't come out to feed. Oh well. I guess that means I can replace him with another small fish.
Bad handling? Bad collection procedures (cynide)? Bad acclimation procedures? Why does it seem like no one can keep ALL of their chromis that they buy... why does it seem like no one can really keep a school of these things long term?
 
al&burke

al&burke

Active Member
Sorry Seth, I think they should change the recommended tank size to 200 gal plus. I had three when I first started this hobby, down to one, I lost one to lockjaw and the first one that died was aggression.
 
geridoc

geridoc

Well-Known Member
I think chromis are much harder to keep than their description would lead us to believe. Over the past 6 months we have tried more than 20 chromis in small groups (2-3) and larger (7), trying to get a school of 7 for our 220 FOWLR display. Of all of those fish, only 2 made it through quarantine and seem perfectly happy as a school of 2 (more like a little red school house, but very wet). We are deciding whether to keep trying to enlarge the group, since 2 in a 220 system really don't make much of a display, but are concerned about the number of fish we would have to go through just to quarantine, and then there no guarantees that the established school would accept new students.
 
novahobbies

novahobbies

Well-Known Member
Hey Seth, are we talking Blue-green, or Blue Reef?
My Aunt kept 3 blue-green chromis in her 90g for a couple years....she was not the best at water changes or maintenance, but they lived through it all. My Blue REEF chromis, however.....not so much. Started with three, one died in QT, two were introduced into the display. One disappeared within days (no body) and the second disappeared a few weeks later. Again...no body, no ammonia spike...just a missing fish.
I think these buggers have a very small wormhole generator hidden under their gills. They wait till the lights are out, open a mini-singularity, and with a quiet "pop!" they're back out in the open ocean...leaving us scratching our heads in the morning when we do a fish-count.
 
snakeblitz33

snakeblitz33

Well-Known Member
lol, I love your story telling skills. When are you going to write your novel?
Anyways, I think so too.
They were blue reef chromis.
I just don't know why I can't keep some for more than two years at a time. Oh well...
Anyone have some small fish suggestions? Purple pseudo? neon goby? Orchid dotty? anyone?
 
novahobbies

novahobbies

Well-Known Member
Yup! Blue reefs are hard. Ask Lois...I think she's given up on them too. Such a shame, they're beautiful fish...at least to me.
How many small fish are we talking about? Are you still looking for something to school in the 90g tank, or are you thinking just a few random small fish?
How about a Blue Gudgeon or a Zebra Barred dartfish? Both are a little less "common," and they do well in pairs....apparently as long as you add them together.
 
sweatervest13

sweatervest13

Active Member
Weird. I have had a school of 5 green chromis in my reef since it started (1 1/2 + years). They all seem happy and healthy, they swim the entire length of the tank all day. They get all of my fish out in the open. I have read that some clowns will stay in one corner of the tank. My clowns (I think because of the chromis) are all over the entire tank any time of the day (they have their own spot to sleep that stays the same).
Super weird how some fish do great in one system and don't in others when both systems are pretty well taken care of. Now I do have to say that I started out with 7 green reef chromis when I first bought them. One died with in 36hrs and the other made it about two weeks in QT. The rest are all still accounted for and growing out.
I know that you are not a huge fan of Anthias. How do you feel about a squirrel fish? Might be cool.
 
snakeblitz33

snakeblitz33

Well-Known Member
I think Nova has hit the nail on the head. I forgot all about blue gudgeons.... I think those a beautiful fish! Thanks Nova.
 
bang guy

bang guy

Moderator
I've never tried to keep Blue-eyed Cardinals but I've always thought they would look great if you had enough of them.
 
snakeblitz33

snakeblitz33

Well-Known Member
Yeah, a nice school of them would be superb. Though, I don't honestly know how much more room I have for fish. I have an oversized skimmer, and plans for a refugium in the works - but still I have to watch for aggression.
 
anh318

anh318

New Member
I am glad to know that I am not the only one who has completely "lost" their chromis'. I recently put 4 into my 112 gallon tank and they have completely vanished. No body or anything.....?
 
mr. limpid

mr. limpid

Active Member
You all have heard my story of chromis. Started with a dozen lost 4 first week, then added more to bring the total up to 20. Saw them attack each other, pick several to death, others hiding in rocks till there was 1 left he died of battle wounds. This all happen over 8 months. I will never spend 1 more cent on chromis.
 
lilclowns

lilclowns

Member
When I bought my blue-green chromis, I only bought 2. One was dead the next day-probably didn't acclimate well. But I love my chromis, he just sticks to himself. I don't think they should be classified as schooling fish though-unless you got some seaworld size aquarium, they do better by themselves. Also, sorry about all your chromis :(
 
snakeblitz33

snakeblitz33

Well-Known Member
Eh. Im not sore about it. Fish die occasionally. Some are better suited than others. I just know i wont be buying anymore.
 
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