Blue chromis (Chromis cyanea)
Key facts
- Scientific name
- Chromis cyanea
- Common name
- Blue chromis
- Category
- Fish
- Family
- Pomacentridae
- Genus
- Chromis
- Size
- 8–14 cm
- Depth
- 3–60 m
- IUCN status
- Least concern (LC)
- Danger level
- Harmless
- Habitats
- reef
- Behaviours
- schooling
- Ocean zones
- Caribbean, Eastern Pacific
Description
Chromis cyanea reaches 14 cm. Small brilliant cobalt-blue fish with a darker back and forked black-edged tail. Forms large clouds dancing in midwater above corals, feeding on plankton. Ubiquitous on Caribbean reefs from 3 to 60 m. Gives Caribbean reefs their characteristic blue hue on dives. Easy to approach while staying still.
Photo of Blue chromis
Frequently asked questions
- How big is the Blue chromis?
- Blue chromis (Chromis cyanea) reaches 8–14 cm in length.
- At what depth can you find the Blue chromis?
- Blue chromis is found between 3–60 m deep.
- Is the Blue chromis dangerous to divers?
- Danger level: Harmless.
- What is the conservation status of the Blue chromis?
- IUCN status: Least concern (LC).
- Where can you find the Blue chromis?
- Found in: Caribbean, Eastern Pacific.
Other species in the genus Chromis
- Chromis limbata - Azores chromis
- Chromis multilineata - Brown chromis
- Chromis atrilobata - Scissortail chromis
- Chromis cadenati - Cadenat's chromis
- Chromis limbaughi - Limbaugh's Chromis
- Chromis crusma - Blackfin Chromis
Other species in the family Pomacentridae
- Chromis chromis - Mediterranean damselfish
- Amphiprion bicinctus - Two-band anemonefish
- Amphiprion ocellaris - False clownfish
- Stegastes partitus - Bicolor damselfish
- Amphiprion akallopisos - Skunk clownfish
- Abudefduf luridus - Canary damsel
Sources
- Taxonomy: WoRMS (AphiaID 273718)
- Photos: iNaturalist (CC BY-NC)
- Distribution: GBIF (taxonKey 5212147)
- Conservation: IUCN Red List
- Encyclopedia: Wikipedia