Chromis fighting

[cyberwollf]

Another observations after being gone for 3 weeks:

I have had 2 blue chromises for about 8 months, which are normally very docile.  However, 1 is twice the size of the other and has always chased the little one some.  But now it is constant and the little one has to stay in hiding most of the time and has a few fin nicks.

Any ideas other than getting rid of one?

[jungliztkruger]

increase feeding to them

[Blown76mav]

Chromis should be kept in odd numbers, if not they will fight till only one is left.

[micki]

Chromis should be kept in odd numbers, if not they will fight till only one is left.

Agreed...

[cyberwollf]

Ok this little guy is getting beaten up pretty bad.  I assume even if I get a third, the currently bigger one will still bully the other 2.

Anyone want the larger Chromis? Otherwise he's going to Jacks today.

[reefman]

Even odd numbers will not help, they always pick on the smaller one.

[cyberwollf]

ok, so Jacks didnt even want it.  I don't have an area in the sump or a QT to put him in.

Free to a good home or QT

[TechGuy]

How big is he?

My local jacks keeps four in their reef. I have two and never had any problems. I may take him.

[cyberwollf]

i bought 4 but 2 died in the QT.  These 2 made it to the display and have been find for 6-8 months.  Just now got really bad, little one cant even come out of the cave.

[aquavista99]

I had a school of 9 chromis, but I am now down to 8 chromis. I agree with others and think chromis are not as peaceful as advertised. If anything, the exhibit the same schooling behavior in the home aquarium as freshwater cichlids, such as angelfish and discus.

During my freshwater days, the smallest or weakest angelfish or discus fish would always get picked on until killed or removed. And once you removed one fish, a new pecking order would start all over again until you are down to just a few fish.

I feed my chromis about five to six times a day with a mixture of three different types of flake food and frozen cyclop-eeze. They are amazing schooling fish but they will fight within the group and pecking orders will be formed based on my limited experience with these fish.

[cyberwollf]

Is there another more peacefully fish to replace them with?

[UDJustin]

Damsels  lol. Anthis are very peaceful but usually require a larger tank

[Aquatic Specialists]

Damsels  lol. Anthis are very peaceful but usually require a larger tank

I will have to agree with Justin on the Anthias. They do need a larger tank, but some are fairly smaller than others.

[cyberwollf]

Weirdest thing, they started to get along for the last 2 days. After months of the little one being nipped at and forced to stay hidden, they now school togeather. Is there a size differnce or "pairing" like with clowns?  Crazy.