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Blue chromis (Chromis cyanea) — Pomacentridae

Blue chromis

Chromis cyanea
Family: Pomacentridae

The Blue chromis (Chromis cyanea) is a saltwater fish of the family Pomacentridae that grows up to 13 cm.

Length
13 cm
Water
Saltwater
Diet
Carnivore
Behaviour
Large groups
Activity
Diurnal
Body shape
Flat / disc-shaped
Substrate
Stone or rock
Danger
Harmless
Range
Coral reefs of the western Atlantic and the Caribbean.
Edibility
Not eaten

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Description

The blue chromis (Chromis cyanea) is a striking reef fish of the family Pomacentridae from the western Atlantic and Caribbean. The species has an oval, laterally compressed body in a brilliant cobalt blue, with black edges along the dorsal and caudal fins, and reaches about 13 cm. It lives in loose groups above coral reefs, where the fish swim in the open water column to pick zooplankton from the water; when threatened they dive quickly among the coral. Owing to its bright blue colour the species is a favourite marine aquarium fish. Like other damselfishes the males can be territorial around the nest.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Blue chromis?

The Blue chromis has a flattened, disc-shaped body, is mainly blue and shows a plain pattern. Brilliant cobalt blue with black fin edges; plankton-picking reef fish.

Where does the Blue chromis live?

The Blue chromis lives in the sea (marine waters) and is mostly found around stony or rocky ground. Coral reefs of the western Atlantic and the Caribbean.

How big does the Blue chromis get?

The Blue chromis grows to a maximum of about 13 cm.

Is the Blue chromis dangerous to humans?

No, the Blue chromis is harmless to humans. This species is harmless to humans. No specific first aid is needed. Still handle the fish with care: mind the fin rays and the sharp edges of the gill cover, and rinse any scratch with clean water and cover it. For a dirty or deep wound check tetanus status.

Is the Blue chromis edible?

The Blue chromis is not usually eaten.

More photos

Blue chromis (Chromis cyanea) — Pomacentridae — 2
Wikimedia Commons — Smithsonian Institution from United States (No restrictions)
Blue chromis (Chromis cyanea) — Pomacentridae — 3
Wikimedia Commons — Originally Unforth from Flickr (CC BY-SA 2.0)
Blue chromis (Chromis cyanea) — Pomacentridae — 4
Guillaume Martin (CC BY-NC 4.0) via GBIF — iNaturalist
Blue chromis (Chromis cyanea) — Pomacentridae — 5
iNaturalist ((c) Susie, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Fin

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All data

Identification

English name
Blue chromis sourced
Scientific name
Chromis cyanea
Family
Pomacentridae
Other names
Blue damselfish; Sapphire devil

Appearance

Size class
Small
Max length (cm)
13.0 sourced
Body shape
Flat / disc-shaped sourced
Dominant colour
Blue 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

Water type
Saltwater sourced
Substrate
Stone or rock sourced
Natural range
Coral reefs of the western Atlantic and the Caribbean. inferred
Origin
Native sourced

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Carnivore sourced
Diet (detail)
Zooplankton sourced
Social behaviour
Large 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
Brilliant cobalt blue with black fin edges; plankton-picking reef fish. 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
This species is harmless to humans. No specific first aid is needed. Still handle the fish with care: mind the fin rays and the sharp edges of the gill cover, and rinse any scratch with clean water and cover it. For a dirty or deep wound check tetanus status. verified

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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