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Bicolor chromis (Chromis margaritifer) — Pomacentridae

Bicolor chromis

Chromis margaritifer
Family: Pomacentridae

The Bicolor chromis (Chromis margaritifer) is a fish of the family Pomacentridae that grows up to 8 cm.

Length
8 cm
Diet
Carnivore
Behaviour
Small groups
Activity
Diurnal
Substrate
Stone or rock
Danger
Harmless
Range
Western and central Pacific; clear lagoon and seaward reefs.
Edibility
Not eaten

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Description

The bicolor chromis is a small damselfish (Pomacentridae) from the western and central Pacific. The species grows to about 8 cm and has a sharply bicoloured pattern: the front half is jet black, the rear half, with the tail, bright white. It lives on clear lagoon and seaward reefs, often in groups above or near coral, where it darts among the branches when threatened. In the open water above the reef it catches zooplankton. The male guards the eggs laid on the bottom. The species is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Bicolor chromis?

The Bicolor chromis is mainly black and shows a plain pattern. Sharply two-coloured (black in front, white behind); plankton feeder above coral, the male guards the brood.

Where does the Bicolor chromis live?

The Bicolor chromis is mostly found around stony or rocky ground. Western and central Pacific; clear lagoon and seaward reefs.

How big does the Bicolor chromis get?

The Bicolor chromis grows to a maximum of about 8 cm.

Is the Bicolor chromis dangerous to humans?

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

Is the Bicolor chromis edible?

The Bicolor chromis is not usually eaten.

More photos

Bicolor chromis (Chromis margaritifer) — Pomacentridae — 2
Williams, Jeffrey T. (CC0 1.0) via GBIF — USNM
Bicolor chromis (Chromis margaritifer) — Pomacentridae — 3
iNaturalist ((c) Erik Schlögl, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Bicolor chromis (Chromis margaritifer) — Pomacentridae — 4
Wikimedia Commons — Izuzuki (CC BY 3.0)
Bicolor chromis (Chromis margaritifer) — Pomacentridae — 5
David Witherall (CC BY 4.0) via GBIF
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All data

Identification

English name
Bicolor chromis sourced
Scientific name
Chromis margaritifer
Family
Pomacentridae
Other names
Whitetail chromis; Chocolate dip; Half & half puller; Half and half puller; Half-and-half puller; Whitetail puller

Appearance

Size class
Small verified
Max length (cm)
8.0 sourced
Dominant colour
Black inferred
Pattern
Plain inferred
Tail shape
Forked inferred
Mouth position
Terminal inferred
Lips
Thin inferred
Barbels
No sourced
Dorsal fins
One continuous inferred
Dorsal spines
Yes sourced

Habitat & distribution

Substrate
Stone or rock sourced
Natural range
Western and central Pacific; clear lagoon and seaward reefs. inferred
Origin
Native sourced

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Carnivore sourced
Diet (detail)
Zooplankton sourced
Social behaviour
Small groups inferred
Territorial
Yes inferred
Activity
Diurnal inferred
Reproduction
Separate sexes sourced
Sexual dimorphism
No inferred
Seasonality
Present year-round in its habitat; no pronounced seasonality known. inferred
Special features
Sharply two-coloured (black in front, white behind); plankton feeder above coral, the male guards the brood. sourced

For anglers

Edibility
Not eaten sourced
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 sourced
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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