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Purple chromis (Chromis scotti) — Pomacentridae

Purple chromis

Chromis scotti
Family: Pomacentridae
LC · Least Concern

The Purple chromis (Chromis scotti) is a saltwater fish of the family Pomacentridae that grows up to 10 cm.

Length
10 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
15.0–116.0 m
Diet
Carnivore
Behaviour
Small groups
Activity
Diurnal
Body shape
Flat / disc-shaped
Substrate
Stone or rock
Danger
Harmless
Edibility
Not eaten

Description

The purple reeffish is a small damselfish of the family Pomacentridae from the western Atlantic and Caribbean. The species grows to about 10 cm and has a blue-purple shining body, in juveniles with bright blue lines on the head. Adults live on steep outer slopes and deeper patch reefs, where they hover in small groups just above the bottom. As a plankton feeder it picks small zooplankton from the water column. In spawning the male guards the adhesive eggs laid on the bottom. Owing to its small size the species has no fishery value and is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Purple chromis?

The Purple chromis has a flattened, disc-shaped body, is mainly blue and shows a plain pattern.

Where does the Purple chromis live?

The Purple chromis lives in the sea (marine waters) and is mostly found around stony or rocky ground.

How big does the Purple chromis get?

The Purple chromis grows to a maximum of about 10 cm.

Is the Purple chromis dangerous to humans?

No, the Purple chromis is harmless to humans.

Is the Purple chromis edible?

The Purple chromis is not usually eaten.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Purperen rifjuffer sourced
English name
Purple chromis verified
Scientific name
Chromis scotti
Family
Pomacentridae
Other names
Purple chromis; Purple Reeffish; Purple reeffish verified

Appearance

Size class
Small verified
Max length (cm)
10.0 verified
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
Min depth (m)
15.0 verified
Max depth (m)
116.0 verified
Origin
Native sourced

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Carnivore sourced
Social behaviour
Small groups inferred
Territorial
Yes inferred
Activity
Diurnal inferred
Reproduction
Separate sexes sourced
Sexual dimorphism
No inferred

For anglers

Edibility
Not eaten sourced
Fishing method
Geen doelsoort voor de hengelsport; hooguit incidentele vangst of bruikbaar als aasvisje. inferred
Regulations source
FishBase ↗ inferred

Safety

Danger to humans
Harmless 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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