| Care Level | Easy |
|---|---|
| Temperament | Peaceful |
| Reef Safe | Yes |
| Functional Benefit | Ornamental Only |
| Diet Type | Planktivore |
| Mininum Tank Size | 55 gallons |
| Max Size | 4 inches |
| Temperature | 72–78°F |
| pH Range | 8.1–8.4 |
| Specific Gravity | 1.022–1.025 |
This product is currently out of stock. Enter your email to our newsletter below and we'll notify you the moment it becomes available.
By submitting you agree to be added to the Reefs4Less newsletter and notified when this item is back in stock.
You're on the list!
Get texts on our best deals
US numbers only — enter 10 digits, no country code needed.
| Stock | Variations | Price | Quantity |
|---|
Every order ships with our standard 3-hour live arrival guarantee. Need more time? Add our 5-Day Guarantee at checkout.
Full guarantee terms →Ships Monday – Thursday for next-day arrival at your nearest FedEx Hold location — typically ready by 9 AM. We monitor every delivery.
Shipping details →
Monday – Friday 8 AM – 9 PM
Saturday 12 PM – 4 PM
Sunday 12 PM – 9 PM
Healthy, stable animals from vetted suppliers — inspected before packing, shipped overnight. Decades of experience built this model so we can deliver premium livestock at 30%+ less than you'd pay elsewhere.
The Ternate Chromis (Chromis ternatensis) is a small, open-water damselfish often described as a “green chromis” type fish, with a clean, streamlined profile for active reef displays. In nature it forms groups above branching corals and feeds from the water column, which translates well to reef tanks with open swimming space and rockwork for structure.
What You’ll Observe:
- Spends most of the day in the mid-to-upper water column, moving in short bursts and then hovering in place
- Uses branching rockwork and coral-like structure as a “home base,” especially when lights shift
- Shows a clear pecking order in a group, with one fish often taking the lead during feeding time
- Becomes most visible at meal times, quickly turning toward small foods drifting in the current
To succeed with this species, provide a reef aquascape that offers both open swimming lanes and branching-style shelter zones. Offer small, meaty plankton-style foods (fine frozen blends, mysis, and quality pellets) in repeated small feedings so they can take bites throughout the day. A consistent routine helps them settle in and stay active in the water column.
Do Ternate Chromis “school” in a home aquarium the way they do in the ocean?
In many tanks they form a loose shoal rather than a tight ball, often spreading out and regrouping around familiar structure.
Why does one Chromis sometimes start “leading” or chasing others after months of peace?
Keepers often describe a gradual shift as one fish becomes dominant; the group then reorganizes around that pecking order.
Is it normal for them to disappear into the rocks at dusk and reappear later?
Yes—many Chromis pick a preferred sleeping zone in the rockwork and become more visible again once lights and activity return.
What feeding approach do hobbyists report works best long-term?
Small portions offered multiple times per day (or via an autofeeder for fine pellets) is a common theme for keeping them active and engaged at meals.
If I want a group, what’s a practical way to add them so they settle in evenly?
Adding similarly sized individuals together and keeping the daily routine consistent are commonly mentioned as simple ways to help the group establish a steady rhythm.
We work with trusted suppliers who keep our specimens healthy and well-fed before shipping.
