Choc-Chip Chromis ( Half & Half )

Chocolate Chip Chromis Overview

• Common Name: Chocolate Chip Chromis

• Scientific Name: Chromis dimidiata

• Family: Pomacentridae (Damselfish family)

• Origin: Western Indian Ocean — Red Sea, Gulf of Aden, and nearby reef areas

• Size: Up to 3 inches (7.5 cm)

• Lifespan: 5–8 years with proper care

• Care Level: Easy — great for beginners and community tanks

🌈 Appearance

• Named for its distinctive color block pattern that looks a bit like a chocolate chip!

• Front half: Silvery-white to light gray

• Back half: Contrasting dark brown to black coloration

• The color split is diagonal, giving it a unique and bold look in motion

• Eyes: Bright and expressive — adds to its charm

🏝️ Natural Habitat

• Found in shallow reef environments and reef slopes

• Often lives in small groups, hovering above coral heads or rubble zones

• A planktivore in the wild, feeding on small drifting zooplankton

🐠 Aquarium Care

Tank Requirements:

• Minimum Tank Size: 30 gallons for one or a pair

  • 50+ gallons if keeping a small group (3–5)

• Aquascape:

  • Open water for swimming

  • Rockwork and caves for sleeping or hiding

• Water Flow: Moderate to strong (mimics reef current)

• Lighting: Moderate — not picky

Water Parameters:

• Temperature: 74–80°F (23–27°C)

• pH: 8.1–8.4

• Salinity: 1.023–1.025

• Nitrates: <20 ppm

• Stability: Very hardy, but still appreciates consistent conditions

🍽️ Diet

• Feeding Type: Omnivore

• Diet:

  • Frozen mysis and brine shrimp

  • Marine flakes or small pellets

  • Enriched frozen foods

  • Occasional algae-based foods or spirulina

• Feeding Frequency: 1–2 times daily

💡 These chromis are active feeders and will eagerly come to the front at feeding time!

🤝 Behavior & Compatibility

• Temperament: Generally peaceful

  • More mild-mannered than many damselfish

  • Can become slightly territorial as they mature, especially if space is limited

• Reef Safe: ✅ Yes

• Best Tankmates:

  • Clownfish, gobies, blennies, wrasses, cardinalfish, firefish

  • Peaceful to semi-aggressive reef-safe fish

• Schooling Behavior:

  • Can be kept singly, in pairs, or small groups (odd numbers preferred)

  • Larger groups require more space to reduce bickering

✅ Pros

• Hardy and beginner-friendly

• Active swimmer — brings life to the mid-water column

• Reef-safe and easy to feed

• Peaceful for a damselfish

• Eye-catching two-tone pattern

❌ Things to Watch

• May squabble if kept in too-small groups or cramped tanks

• Can chase weaker or more passive fish if overcrowded

• Needs open swimming room — avoid over-crowding with rock

Summary