Subject of the month (February 2003) - Chromis [Archive]

Lisa Page

01-02-03, 12:02

Hi all,

Now that a new month is upon us I thought I'd kick off a 'Picture of the Month' thread. Every month I'll be choosing a new subject and hopefully if there's enough interest we can work our way through all the commonly kept (and not so commonly kept) species of corals, fish etc in our tanks.

This month I've plumped for Chromis sp. because hopefully there are a fair few out there with these lovely fish that can contribute some pictures to the thread. *http://www.ultimatereef.com/ibv3/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif

Please feel free to post as many pictures as you like with as much or as little information about the subject as you want, it's the pics that we're really interested in eh! http://www.ultimatereef.com/ibv3/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/wink.gif

I'll start off with my one and only green Chromis, Chromis caerulea who I've had for a little over 5 years now http://www.ultimatereef.com/ibv3/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif

http://reefgarden.homestead.com/files/chromis_301002.jpg

Camera used: Fuji FinePix 6900Z.

Regards

Lisa

simonh

01-02-03, 16:23

Here's a picture of one of my Chromis sp. defending a new clutch of eggs. *Spawning seems to have settled into a weekly cycle (usually Saturday, just as I want to clean the tank). *I haven't tried to raise any of them yet.

http://www.wymag.org.uk/simon/chromis-spawn.jpg

Photograph details for those interested:

CAMERA * * * : E5700V1.0
METERING * * : CENTER
MODE * * * * : S
SHUTTER * * *: 1/125sec
APERTURE * * : F2.9
EXP +/- * * *: 0.0
FOCAL LENGTH : f10.7mm(X1.0)
IMG ADJUST * : AUTO
SENSITIVITY *: ISO400
WHITEBAL * * : AUTO
SHARPNESS * *: AUTO
QUALITY * * *: 2560x1920 FINE
SATURATION * : 0
FOCUS AREA * : CENTER

Lisa Page

01-02-03, 16:41

Simon,

Now that's what I'm talking about. Fantastic stuff!! http://www.ultimatereef.com/ibv3/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif

Just out of interest who does the defending, Mum or Dad (or is it both together)? Can you even tell the difference between them for that matter?? http://www.ultimatereef.com/ibv3/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif

Regards

Lisa

ziggy

05-02-03, 17:02

Here's a couple of pics, not as good as Si's unfortunately *http://www.ultimatereef.com/ibv3/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/tounge.gif of mine*caught "in the act"

They spawn weekly as do Si's, and have gone from laying on the rockwork to the glass.

IIRC the male is the larger and it is he who defends the eggs. I have 8 in my tank, one of which is very lucky as I caught sight of something out of the corner of my eye whilst watching TV one night, didn't think anything of it, went to look at the tank some 5 mins later and there was a Chromis on the carpet which I thought was dead but upon picking it up it moved so went back in the tank and has been fine ever since *http://www.ultimatereef.com/ibv3/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif *The male seems to pick differing females weekly as opposed to one particular one, though I could be wrong about this.

http://www.ultimatereef.net/uploads/spawn0.jpg

http://www.ultimatereef.net/uploads/spawn3.jpg

kenneth_halley

05-02-03, 20:38

Here's my Green Chromis- though looks blue in most light!
We call her (!http://www.ultimatereef.com/ibv3/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/wink.gif him? Frisky- Has been as good as gold since we got her (1st fish in tank) she thinks she is the boss but all the fish have her sussed. Dead peaceful.
techy details of pic
eh- Borrowed Fuji Finepix 2600
No flash
Held in hand
Whatever shutter speed it did itself!
http://www.ultimatereef.com/ibv3/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif

http://www.ultimatereef.net/uploads/frisky.jpg
and another
http://www.ultimatereef.net/uploads/frisky2.jpg

Lisa Page

06-02-03, 14:34

Thanks guys, I was beginning to wonder if anybody else was going to reply to this thread. Sunk on the first month, please nooooo! *http://www.ultimatereef.com/ibv3/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/tounge.gif

Anybody else got a piccie? Surely there must be more peeps keeping these lovely fish *http://www.ultimatereef.com/ibv3/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif

Regards

Lisa

Preds

06-02-03, 14:59

I think this is a great idea for a thread. Only downside being I don't own a chromis. http://www.ultimatereef.com/ibv3/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif I suppose I could nick someone else's picture and claim it as my own. http://www.ultimatereef.com/ibv3/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/wink.gif

Phil

06-02-03, 22:10

These shots are great, however, I know not strictly just for Photography subject matter, but cant collections like this then be enhanced to build some form of reference library for each species? covering feeding, breeding, keeping preferences - solitary/pairs/shoals etc etc?

bunglehaze

07-02-03, 01:29

i must admit, for a cheap and hardy fish they do look lovely especially in shoals.

shame i havent got any yet tho

cheers
leigh http://www.ultimatereef.com/ibv3/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif

MrFish

07-02-03, 14:13

I am thinking of getting some of these for my next tank cos they look good, but so do a shoal of anthias, what is best in your opinions - pro cons?

Lisa Page

07-02-03, 15:26

Phil,

As soon as Brian and SiG get their fingers out there will be a 'Fish/coral etc of the month' thread where everybody can add their own experiences on the subject in question. Difficulty rating, feeding etc etc....Then we can have a proper reference section (a similar thing was started a while ago but sadly died death). I just thought it might be nice to see everybodies lovely pics in the meantime http://www.ultimatereef.com/ibv3/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif

Mr Fish,

Now then Chromis pros.....

Peaceful.
Hardy.
Will eat all the usual marine fare.
Reef safe.
Can be kept in shoals.
Will breed given the right conditions. http://www.ultimatereef.com/ibv3/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif

Cons

Can squabble amongst themselves with the weaker ones sometimes being beaten to death. http://www.ultimatereef.com/ibv3/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/sad.gif

Anthias pros

Spectacular looking fish
Generally peaceful
Reef safe
Can be kept in shoals

Cons

Need regular feedings to thrive, 3+ times per day recommended
Can be difficult to get to feed initially
Not as hardy as Chromis
Can be nervous fish
One male per tank essential with a harem of about 5-6 females *(need a fair sized tank for this)

Have I left anything out peeps? Any other comments??

I must admit that given the choice (and having access to a large tank) I would probably go for Anthias. IMO their colours win hands down when compared to Chromis *http://www.ultimatereef.com/ibv3/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/cool.gif *That's purely a matter of personal opinion though.

Keep the pics coming guys *http://www.ultimatereef.com/ibv3/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/alien.gif

Regards

Lisa

P.S. Preds/Leigh....I'll make sure that I choose something that you can contribute to next month http://www.ultimatereef.com/ibv3/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/wink.gif

Phil

07-02-03, 16:43

Lisa

I wasnt critisising at all, just making a suggestion on how it could be even better, and of more benefit to people in the long term http://www.ultimatereef.com/ibv3/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif

ziggy

07-02-03, 21:45

Hi Lisa,

</span><table border="0" align="center" width="95%" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="1"><tr><td>Quote </td></tr><tr><td id="QUOTE">I must admit that given the choice (and having access to a large tank) I would probably go for Anthias. IMO their colours win hands down when compared to Chromis That's purely a matter of personal opinion though.[/b][/quote]

Or go for a shoal of both http://www.ultimatereef.com/ibv3/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif that's what I've done and they look great together.

I find the Chromis the more active of the two though now with spawning occuring their activity can get a bit shall we say boisterous http://www.ultimatereef.com/ibv3/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/wink.gif

With Anthias, as is quite common in nature the male is the more attractive though being hermaphrodites should the male die the dominant female takes over as the male... amazing.

Lisa Page

08-02-03, 08:48

Ziggy,

</span><table border="0" align="center" width="95%" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="1"><tr><td>Quote </td></tr><tr><td id="QUOTE">Or go for a shoal of both[/b][/quote]

That's quite true, now why didn't I think of that, LOL! *http://www.ultimatereef.com/ibv3/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif We all need Tardis like tanks. Something that's not big on the outside, but huge on the inside and has room for all the fish we want to keep *http://www.ultimatereef.com/ibv3/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/cool.gif

</span><table border="0" align="center" width="95%" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="1"><tr><td>Quote </td></tr><tr><td id="QUOTE">With Anthias, as is quite common in nature the male is the more attractive[/b][/quote]

Haha, you're walking a very fine line here Ziggy http://www.ultimatereef.com/ibv3/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/wow.gif *http://www.ultimatereef.com/ibv3/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/lookaround.gif *http://www.ultimatereef.com/ibv3/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/wink.gif *http://www.ultimatereef.com/ibv3/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/laugh.gif

Regards

Lisa

simonh

08-02-03, 12:23

</span><table border="0" align="center" width="95%" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="1"><tr><td>Quote (ziggy @ Feb. 06 2003,22:45)</td></tr><tr><td id="QUOTE">Or go for a shoal of both *http://www.ultimatereef.com/ibv3/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif *that's what I've done and they look great together.[/b][/quote]
I'll second that. I have 9 green chromis and 7 diadem anthias (not sure how many males, but I think 3 but not too much bother between them just don't hang together too much). Colour combination when they are all out in the open is fantastic.

tangtastic

08-02-03, 12:29

Hi all,

No Photographer, but he is my attempt.......

http://www.ultimatereef.net/uploads/New Reef080203 002.jpg

And

http://www.ultimatereef.net/uploads/New Reef080203 004.jpg

cool little fish in my opinion http://www.ultimatereef.com/ibv3/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif

Cheers

Andy.

BrianO

08-02-03, 13:04

</span><table border="0" align="center" width="95%" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="1"><tr><td>Quote </td></tr><tr><td id="QUOTE">As soon as Brian and SiG get their fingers out there will be a 'Fish/coral etc of the month' thread where everybody can add their own experiences on the subject in question. [/b][/quote]

OOooooowwwwww Lisa, that hurt ! http://www.ultimatereef.com/ibv3/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif

Point taken , though I did say I was gonna do my part when I got back from my H,Moon beginning March. So.... http://www.ultimatereef.com/ibv3/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif As soon as I get back ill start it.

As for Si.G. well Sorry, hes just a lazy sod. http://www.ultimatereef.com/ibv3/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif

Ok will try and snap one of my Chromis later, Great thread and pics, at last ill be able to learn something about photography.

Lets see more. http://www.ultimatereef.com/ibv3/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/cool.gif

Brian.

Lisa Page

08-02-03, 13:34

Brian,

Aww, you disappoint me! You mean to say that something as uneventful as getting married is getting in the way of important reefing matters * http://www.ultimatereef.com/ibv3/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/inlove.gif

Well, OK we'll forgive you..... especially if you post a Chromis piccie later on http://www.ultimatereef.com/ibv3/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/wink.gif

Andy,

Grrrrrreat stuff! Thanks for posting http://www.ultimatereef.com/ibv3/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif

Regards

Lisa

Coralchris

08-02-03, 14:54

Lisa, can we not have a thread each month for a coral and a fish? I know personally I would benefit from a few pics of different variations of corals. I often find if the corals I see don't look like the photos In books I have seen I don't recognise them.
Also as soon as something I own comes up I promise some photo's.

Ta

MrFish

08-02-03, 14:57

Shoal of both, good idea, http://www.ultimatereef.com/ibv3/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif to get a rough idea if this will be poss in my new setup that i am planning, what size should they be taken as when working the Inch per gallon rule.

1.5 inch for the chromis and 2 for the Anthias maybe?

Lisa Page

09-02-03, 10:21

Chris,

Great idea! I only put the one subject up because I wanted to check the amount of response it drew first. *http://www.ultimatereef.com/ibv3/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif

I'll be popping another thread up in a short while, OK! http://www.ultimatereef.com/ibv3/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/cool.gif

MrFish,

You know I don't really know the answer to your question. I always struggle with this inches per gallon stuff too. http://www.ultimatereef.com/ibv3/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/eh.gif What I can tell you is that after 5 years my Chromis is a good 2" already (excluding tail) and I think he/she still has a bit of growing to do too.

Regards

Lisa

Garry thomas

10-02-03, 09:03

</span><table border="0" align="center" width="95%" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="1"><tr><td>Quote (Lisa Page @ Feb. 01 2003,12:02)</td></tr><tr><td id="QUOTE">I'll start off with my one and only green Chromis, Chromis caerulea who I've had for a little over 5 years now[/b][/quote]
Hello lisa, sorry i'v posted late ,but i wanted to see if anyone spotted the mistake. I'm afraid the sps you show is NOT what you say http://www.ultimatereef.com/ibv3/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/blush.gif it's actually chromis viridis http://www.ultimatereef.com/ibv3/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/eh.gif sorry to have to point it out lisa. http://www.ultimatereef.com/ibv3/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/crazy.gif
..[QUOTE]

Lisa Page

10-02-03, 09:52

Garry,

Hmm, interesting! I was told that it was C. caerulea. How can you tell the difference between the two then? I've checked on fish base and there doesn't seem to be a great difference between the two (at least to my eyes anyhow).

BTW the fish is a lot more green in colour in real life but looks very blue in the picture because of the light from the actinics.

http://www.fishbase.org/Summary....aerulea (http://www.fishbase.org/Summary/SpeciesSummary.cfm?ID=6921&genusname=Chromis&speciesname=caerulea)

http://www.fishbase.org/Summary....viridis (http://www.fishbase.org/Summary/SpeciesSummary.cfm?ID=5679&genusname=Chromis&speciesname=viridis)

Regards

Lisa

P.S. Have you got these fish? If so how about posting a pic http://www.ultimatereef.com/ibv3/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif

Garry thomas

10-02-03, 11:50

Lisa that got me doing some home work http://www.ultimatereef.com/ibv3/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/confused.gif http://www.ultimatereef.com/ibv3/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/blush.gif it seems they are called 3 seperate names, coming from differant area's.But although they all look the same. http://www.ultimatereef.com/ibv3/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/eh.gif STRANGE
IE:chromis viridis 9cm....r.sea to marq.& soc.is,n.to ryuk.,s. to n.cal.
chromis atripectoralis 11cm...east africa,seychelles, to line&tuam.Is.,n. to ryuk.,s.to l. howe & rapa Is
Chromis caerulea 10cm....indo pacific, r,sea. http://www.ultimatereef.com/ibv3/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/blush.gif
LISA i'm even more confused, They are all identical, apart from adult size and where they come from http://www.ultimatereef.com/ibv3/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/lookaround.gif any body wanna comment http://www.ultimatereef.com/ibv3/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/eh.gif Lisa i'v always classed mine as viridis? now What..............................perhaps they are a
atripuleairidis http://www.ultimatereef.com/ibv3/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/laugh.gif

Lisa Page

10-02-03, 12:20

Garry,

Yeah I noticed that there was another similar species too, as if things weren't complicated enough already. Maybe I'll just call mine Chromis sp. from now on http://www.ultimatereef.com/ibv3/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/wink.gif

Regards

Lisa

Lisa Page

10-02-03, 12:24

Garry,

Aha!! So you do have some Chromis sp. then *http://www.ultimatereef.com/ibv3/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/wink.gif *Need to see a pic..... please *http://www.ultimatereef.com/ibv3/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif *http://www.ultimatereef.com/ibv3/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/tounge.gif *http://www.ultimatereef.com/ibv3/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/laugh.gif

Regards

Lisa

Garry thomas

10-02-03, 12:27

Yep that sounds good to me http://www.ultimatereef.com/ibv3/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/laugh.gif check um out tho lisa if you have time. They are identical. Just like the acanthurus porferous mustard, choclate, mimic differant fish, same latin name..... http://www.ultimatereef.com/ibv3/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/crazy.gif STRANGE http://www.ultimatereef.com/ibv3/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/eh.gif i'v actually got a mimic on order from my lfs, cant wait.. http://www.ultimatereef.com/ibv3/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif

Miker

10-02-03, 20:07

Hi all

Great idea this Lisa http://www.ultimatereef.com/ibv3/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif http://www.ultimatereef.com/ibv3/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif

Anyway the first 2 are of Thomas my Blue Chromis Chromis cyanea. I have found it hard to photograph this fish because of his iridescence most photo's come out way over exposed, any suggestions to stop this please?

http://www.ultimatereef.net/uploads/Thomas.JPG

http://www.ultimatereef.net/uploads/Thomas2.JPG

And these 2 are Lambert & Butler, Blackaxil Chromis Chromis atripectoralis

http://www.ultimatereef.net/uploads/Lambert&Butler.JPG

Thats all folks

All pics taken with a fuji z6900 Av mode manual focus and flash.

Regards

Mike http://www.ultimatereef.com/ibv3/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif

Miker

10-02-03, 20:18

Lisa,Garry

Sorry just read the tread through after posting. Chromis atripectoralis differs from chromis viridis in having a black dot at the base of its pectoral fin, however I can't find chromis caerulea in any of my books.

I'll do some searching

HTH

Regards

Mike http://www.ultimatereef.com/ibv3/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif

Lisa Page

10-02-03, 20:30

Mike,

Oooh different species, nice!! The black band along the top of the C. cyanea is very dashing.

</span><table border="0" align="center" width="95%" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="1"><tr><td>Quote </td></tr><tr><td id="QUOTE">I have found it hard to photograph this fish because of his iridescence most photo's come out way over exposed, any suggestions to stop this please?[/b][/quote]

Yeah, don't use flash! *http://www.ultimatereef.com/ibv3/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/laugh.gif *No, seriously you are quite right there is something about the scales of Chromis that really reflect back at the camera. I have never used flash for any of my Chromis pictures for this very reason. There is another alternative and that is placing a diffuser in front of the flash to soften the lighting (something as simple as a piece of tissue can work well). In fact I may just have a go with that tomorrow and see what I can come up with *http://www.ultimatereef.com/ibv3/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif

Regards

Lisa