Webers Chromis – Facts and Photographs

Webers Chromis ( Chromis weberi) is also known as the Dark Bar Chromis, they are extremely common on the Tanzanian coast.

APPEARANCE

The body of Webers Chromis has an elongated oval shape with a pointed nose. The body is a greyish green colour. Behind the eye there is a thin black bar and there is a black line through the eye. They have a forked tail with black tips. The adults grow up to 12 cm in length.

They resemble the Double Bar Chromis (Chromis opercularis) , but these are more colorful as juveniles and have yellow tips on the tail as juveniles and do not have a bar through the eye.

WEBERS CHROMIS IN THE WILD

Webers Chromis are very common on Tanzanian reefs. The juveniles are usually found around a raised bommie, coral feature or rock with good hiding places in large groups. They swim around their hiding spot, darting upwards to catch zooplankton. When a diver approaches the entire shoal moves into cover and quickly emerges once one backs away a bit. The adults which grow up to 12 cm are often seen in small groups on the reef top, but sometimes they are seen singularly.

HABITAT

The Webers Chromis is found across the Indian ocean from East Africa down to South Africa, across to New Caledonia and up to Southern Japan.

DIET

The Webers Chromis feed on zooplankton.

REPRODUCTION

Little if any research has been done on their mating habits, but they probably follow the normal Damselfish behavior. Pairing before mating is usual and after the male cleans a patch for the eggs, mating takes place. The eggs of Webers Chromis are demersal and adhere to the substrate. The males guard and aerate the eggs until they hatch.

AQUARIUMS

Webers Chromis are hardy fish and are easy to keep in an aquarium. However given that they are not that attractive they are seldom kept in aquariums. They will undoubtedly become highly territorial as adults. It is almost a certainty that they will harass and beat up more peaceful fish.
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