		3.4 (4)
	Add a review

Blue Reef Damselfish

Blue Chromis are native to the Atlantic Ocean and the Caribbean Sea. They congregate in schools around rocks of the reef. They are royal blue with black along the dorsal and edging the lyre-shaped tail. These fish are...
Scientific Name	Chromis ? cyanea
Common Names	Blue Chromis, Blue Reef Chromis

Price: $18 to $18

Compare Prices

at 1 stores

Searched Blue Reef Damselfish in Reviews

Not to be confused with the confusingly named Blue Damselfish

Comments

This is a good example why common names can make your head hurt and learning some of the scientific names is actually a good idea.

There are two fish commonly known as "blue Damselfish". The one shown here is Chromis cyaneus. The other is the more commonly available and smaller Chrysiptera cyanea (sold under two common names, one for the female and one for the male). To add even more to the confusion there is the commonly available blue/green chromis (Chromis viridis).

There are two very important reasons to know the difference. One is temperament, and the other is size. This fish is peaceful (the other semi-aggressive) this fish can grow to 5" (the other only 2").

These are good natured fish that will be happiest in a 50 gallon or larger tank that has plenty of un-shared hiding spaces. While their swimming requirements allow for them to be housed in a 30 gallon tank, because of their large size I would not recommend it. This is mostly for the other fish, and for the nutrient level a larger fish brings with it.

They are omnivores so need meaty foods as well as algae. I suggest a flake like Formula 2 with some vitamin enriched foods as well. Foods that are labeled "color enhancing" will help to keep the bright blue of this fish. it does tend to fade without it.

I've kept three of these successfully without much effort and do recommend them for beginners as long as they have a large enough tank to keep them in.

Liked about it	1. Peaceful. 2. Nice blue color. 3. Large, but not too large.
Didn't like	1. Hides quite a bit. 2. May jump out of tank if spooked.

Overall rating:		5.0
Overall satisfaction:		5.0
Would consider buying it again:		5.0

By tcamos
Sep 27, 2010

Ask tcamos a question about this item.

Was this review helpful to you?
Yes

Report this review

Price: $18 to $18

Compare Prices

at 1 stores

more commonly called the blue reef chromis

Comments

Of all the damsels, this one may be the most peaceful. I actually more often see these listed as chromis, but those are similar fish. These do get relatively large for a damsel, upwards of 6 inches. They do well in reef tanks and they don't require a lot of special attention. The also would do well in groups, unlike most damsels, and they tolerate most other reef safe fish (though other damsels may not necessarily tolerate them).

Liked about it	A little bit more unique than the more common blue chromis, these fish are peaceful and do well in reef tanks. They won't bother other fish or corals, and they should do fine on a captive diet.
Didn't like	So continuing the comparison to the more common blue chromis, these fish are quite a bit more expensive and require a lot more space if housing more than one. The may require a bit more focus when it comes to overall tank filtration, as larger fish require more food and create more waste, but in general they shouldnt be too much trouble,

Overall rating:		3.0
Overall satisfaction:		3.0
Would consider buying it again:		3.0

By crvz
May 28, 2010

Ask crvz a question about this item.

Was this review helpful to you?
Yes

Report this review

Price: $18 to $18

Compare Prices

at 1 stores

Just another blue devil!

Comments

As with most all Damsel fish the Blue damsel is just as aggressive. They are very easy to keep and extremely hardy. sadly for this reason and the fact that they are very inexpensive many people use them to live cycle their tanks. That is just cruel to the fish. Aside from the aggression these are great little fish perfect for any tank from a Nano to a very large system. Be warned that due to their aggressive nature many people decide they they want to get rid of them after a few months which is near impossible without removing all the live rock in the tank. They are small and prefer hiding in the rock work.

Liked about it	Price, They are extremely cheap and affordable. Care, they are easy to keep and nearly bullet proof. Color, all of the damsel fish are extremely bright and colorful.
Didn't like	Aggression, they fish are very aggressive and are always picking fights even with fish much bigger than them. They are also near impossible to remove from your tank if you so choose.