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Pacific chromis (Chromis crusma) — Pomacentridae

Pacific chromis

Chromis crusma
Family: Pomacentridae
LC · Least Concern

The Pacific chromis (Chromis crusma) is a saltwater fish of the family Pomacentridae that grows up to 14 cm.

Length
14 cm
Water
Saltwater
Diet
Omnivore
Behaviour
Small groups
Activity
Diurnal
Body shape
Flat / disc-shaped
Substrate
Stone or rock
Danger
Harmless
Range
Southeast Pacific; rocky reefs of cool coastal waters off Peru and Chile.
Edibility
Rarely eaten

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Description

The Peruvian chromis is a damselfish of the family Pomacentridae from the south-eastern Pacific off Peru and Chile. The species grows to about 14 cm and has a stocky, brown-grey to dark body with a paler belly. It inhabits rocky reefs of cool coastal waters and often stays in groups above the rocks. As an omnivore and plankton feeder it feeds on zooplankton, algae and small invertebrates from the water column. In spawning the male guards the eggs laid on the rocks. The species is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Pacific chromis?

The Pacific chromis has a flattened, disc-shaped body, is mainly brown and shows a plain pattern. Small stocky, dark damselfish of cool Peruvian-Chilean rocky reefs; plankton-eating, group-living fish.

Where does the Pacific chromis live?

The Pacific chromis lives in the sea (marine waters) and is mostly found around stony or rocky ground. Southeast Pacific; rocky reefs of cool coastal waters off Peru and Chile.

How big does the Pacific chromis get?

The Pacific chromis grows to a maximum of about 14 cm.

Is the Pacific chromis dangerous to humans?

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

Is the Pacific chromis edible?

The Pacific chromis is rarely eaten.

More photos

Pacific chromis (Chromis crusma) — Pomacentridae — 2
Wikimedia Commons — HugoAlbertoMedinaGómez (CC BY-SA 3.0)
Pacific chromis (Chromis crusma) — Pomacentridae — 3
iNaturalist ((c) ulrich zanabria, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Pacific chromis (Chromis crusma) — Pomacentridae — 4
pablo_zamora (CC BY-NC 4.0) via GBIF — iNaturalist
Pacific chromis (Chromis crusma) — Pomacentridae — 5
iNaturalist ((c) César Pedrini, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Fin

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All data

Identification

English name
Pacific chromis verified
Scientific name
Chromis crusma
Family
Pomacentridae
Other names
Valparaiso chromis verified

Appearance

Size class
Small verified
Max length (cm)
14.0 verified
Body shape
Flat / disc-shaped sourced
Dominant colour
Brown 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
Southeast Pacific; rocky reefs of cool coastal waters off Peru and Chile. inferred
Origin
Native sourced

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Omnivore sourced
Diet (detail)
Zooplankton, algae and small invertebrates 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
Small stocky, dark damselfish of cool Peruvian-Chilean rocky reefs; plankton-eating, group-living fish. sourced

For anglers

Edibility
Rarely eaten sourced
Fishing method
Small in size and barely an angling target; mostly caught incidentally or 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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