Chromis viridis (Cuvier, 1830)

Maximum Size

Adults of Chromis viridis reach a maximum total length of 10 centimetres, or 3.9 inches.

Fin Structure

Their fins have 12 dorsal spines, 9 to 11 soft dorsal rays, 2 anal spines, and 9 to 11 soft anal rays.

Coloration

This species is a blue-green fish, and breeding males develop a more yellowish coloration.

Overall Range

Chromis viridis occurs across the Indo-Pacific region, including the Red Sea, and lives in tropical and subtropical waters.

Indian Ocean Range

In the Indian Ocean, its range includes the Red Sea, Gulf of Aden, eastern Africa, Madagascar, Seychelles, Persian Gulf, Arabian Sea, Maldives, Sri Lanka, Andaman Sea, Australia, and Indonesia.

West-Central Pacific Range

In the Indo-Pacific portion of the Pacific Ocean, it is found in the Gulf of Thailand, Indonesia, Philippines, China, Taiwan, Japan, Great Barrier Reef, New Zealand, New Caledonia, Polynesia, Melanesia, and Hawaii.

Eastern Pacific Range

In the eastern Pacific Ocean, it occurs from the Gulf of California south to Peru and the Galapagos Islands.

Mediterranean Reports

There are also documented reports of this species in the Mediterranean Sea.

Habitat and Depth

It inhabits coral reefs and lagoons, and is typically found at depths between 1 and 12 metres, or 3.3 to 39.4 feet.

Spawning Substrates

This species spawns on sand and rubble substrates.

Nest Details

Males prepare nests that are shared with multiple females. Nests are always located on sand or rubble.

Spawning Color Change

During spawning, males turn more yellowish.

Egg Hatching Timeline

Large clutches of eggs hatch after 2 to 3 days.

Male Nest Guarding

Males guard the nest and ventilate it using their fins, and eat any unhatched eggs.

Egg Consumption Purpose

Males consume unhatched eggs to stop them from becoming breeding grounds for microorganisms that could threaten the rest of the clutch.