Who?
Family: Pomacentridae
Species: Chromis cyanea
Species ID: P.CC
Description: A small, oval-bodied fish with a long and deeply forked tail (1). This species is a brilliant blue colour with black along the back and on the outer edges of the tail (2), although it can pale or darken at will. Sexes appear similar and juveniles resemble adults
Maximum Size: 15 cm (6 in)
Longevity: Unknown, but up to 15 years based on the longevity of close relatives
Status: Not currently on the IUCN endangered species list
Blue Chromis & People: Not a food fish, but often collected for export in the aquarium trade
Where?
Geographical Range: Very common throughout the Caribbean, somewhat less common in the northern Gulf of Mexico and Florida
Coral Reef Zone: Generally found in the fore reef zone, where currents from the open sea supply plenty of planktonic food; can also be found in the back reef zone
Favourite Habitat: Blue chromis prefer steep reef slopes or patch reefs in areas with many holes and crevices where they can hide at night
Depth Range: 3–60 m (10 –200 ft)
A Day in the Life:
Dawn: Fish emerge from their shelter and rise above the reef to feed on plankton
Day: Chromis feed in schools above the reef; spawning also occurs during the day
Dusk: Fish seek out shelter and bed-down for the night
Night: Fish remain hidden in the reef until sunrise
Who Eats Who
The blue chromis is an omnivore that feeds on small planktonic food, including jellyfish. Blue chromis are eaten regularly by a variety of large reef predators including trumpetfish, grouper, and snapper.
Scuba Diver & Snorkeler Best Practices
Don’t touch the living coral : Corals are made up of many living polyps that secrete a thin mucous for their protection. Touching these tiny animals is like giving the kiss of death; contact may remove their protective coating leaving the polyps vulnerable to infections that can spread through the entire colony. Look, but don’t touch, and remember corals can also injury you if you touch them. Snorkelers are often positively buoyant so it is particularly important to avoid the temptation to hold the reef to maintain position while duck-diving.
