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Azores chromis (Chromis limbata) — Pomacentridae

Azores chromis

Chromis limbata
Family: Pomacentridae
LC · Least Concern

The Azores chromis (Chromis limbata) is a saltwater fish of the family Pomacentridae that grows up to 12 cm.

Length
12 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
5.0–45.0 m
Diet
Carnivore
Behaviour
Schooling
Activity
Diurnal
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped
Substrate
Stone or rock
Danger
Harmless
Range
Eastern Atlantic, on rocky reefs of Macaronesia and West Africa, in shoals above and along the rock walls.
Edibility
Not eaten

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Description

The Azores chromis is a small, oval reef fish of the family Pomacentridae (damselfishes) reaching about 12 cm. The laterally compressed body is dark brown, often with a paler rear edge to the fins, and ends in a deeply forked tail. The species lives on rocky reefs of the eastern Atlantic, especially around the Macaronesian islands of the Azores, Madeira and the Canaries and along the West African coast. In loose schools it hovers above and along the rock faces, picking zooplankton from the open water. In the breeding season the female lays the eggs on the rock, after which the male defends and cleans the clutch until it hatches. Because of its small size it has no fishery importance.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Azores chromis?

The Azores chromis has a torpedo-shaped body, is mainly brown and shows a plain pattern. Small, oval reef fish (damselfish) with a deeply forked tail; dark brown with a paler rear edge on the fins.

Where does the Azores chromis live?

The Azores chromis lives in the sea (marine waters) and is mostly found around stony or rocky ground. Eastern Atlantic, on rocky reefs of Macaronesia and West Africa, in shoals above and along the rock walls.

How big does the Azores chromis get?

The Azores chromis grows to a maximum of about 12 cm.

Is the Azores chromis dangerous to humans?

No, the Azores chromis is harmless to humans. None required: this species is harmless to humans.

Is the Azores chromis edible?

The Azores chromis is not usually eaten.

More photos

Azores chromis (Chromis limbata) — Pomacentridae — 2
iNaturalist ((c) Rino, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Azores chromis (Chromis limbata) — Pomacentridae — 3
Wikimedia Commons — Diego Delso (CC BY-SA 4.0)
Azores chromis (Chromis limbata) — Pomacentridae — 4
Wikimedia Commons — Diego Delso (CC BY-SA 4.0)
Azores chromis (Chromis limbata) — Pomacentridae — 5
iNaturalist ((c) Donald Davesne, some rights reserved (CC BY))
Fin

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All data

Identification

English name
Azores chromis verified
Scientific name
Chromis limbata
Family
Pomacentridae
Other names
Azores chromis; Damsel fish verified

Appearance

Size class
Small verified
Max length (cm)
12.0 verified
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped sourced
Dominant colour
Brown sourced
Pattern
Plain sourced
Tail shape
Forked inferred
Mouth position
Terminal inferred
Lips
Thin inferred
Barbels
No verified
Dorsal fins
One continuous sourced
Dorsal spines
Yes verified

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Saltwater verified
Substrate
Stone or rock verified
Min depth (m)
5.0 verified
Max depth (m)
45.0 verified
Natural range
Eastern Atlantic, on rocky reefs of Macaronesia and West Africa, in shoals above and along the rock walls. verified
Origin
Native verified

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Carnivore verified
Diet (detail)
Zooplankton from the open water by the reef sourced
Social behaviour
Schooling verified
Territorial
Yes verified
Activity
Diurnal inferred
Reproduction
Separate sexes verified
Sexual dimorphism
No verified
Seasonality
Resident reef fish; the male guards a clutch laid on the rock until it hatches. sourced
Special features
Small, oval reef fish (damselfish) with a deeply forked tail; dark brown with a paler rear edge on the fins. sourced

For anglers

Edibility
Not eaten verified
Fishing method
Not a target species for angling; at most an incidental catch or usable as baitfish. inferred
Regulations source
FishBase ↗ inferred

Safety

Danger to humans
Harmless verified
First aid
None required: this species is harmless to humans. sourced

Status & sources

Sources
FishBase via GBIF (DwC-A), CC-BY-NC 4.0

Same genus Chromis

More from the family Pomacentridae

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