Scaly Reef Chromis
Azurina lepidolepis
| Stock | Variations | Price | Quantity |
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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.
| Care Level | Easy |
|---|---|
| Temperament | Peaceful |
| Reef Safe | Yes |
| Functional Benefit | Ornamental Only |
| Diet Type | Planktivore |
| Mininum Tank Size | 30 gallons |
| Max Size | 4 inches |
| Temperature | 72–78°F |
| pH Range | 8.1–8.4 |
| Specific Gravity | 1.022–1.025 |
The Scaly Reef Chromis (Azurina lepidolepis) is a reef chromis/damselfish with a subtle tan-to-brown body, a forked tail, and darker edging on the fins. In nature it’s found around coral-rich lagoon and seaward reefs, where it feeds in the water column on zooplankton.
What You’ll Observe:
- Hovering in open water above rockwork, then gliding back to structure between passes
- In groups, a loose shoal that tightens up when tank activity increases (especially around feeding)
- Quick, mid-water “snap feeding” as it picks small foods drifting by
- Daytime-active swimming that gives the tank consistent movement without dominating the aquascape
Provide open swimming space paired with branching rockwork so the fish can settle into a predictable mid-water routine. Offer small, plankton-sized foods (fine frozen foods and small pellets) a few times per day to match how reef chromis naturally feed. Does best in a community where tankmates allow it to feed calmly and stay out in the open.
Why don’t my chromis “school” all the time?
Many groups spread out when they feel settled, then bunch up when they’re startled or when other fish create a burst of activity.
Should I add them one at a time or all together?
Adding them as a group (or within a short window) helps them establish a more even pecking order from the start.
Is it normal for the color to look washed out right after introduction?
Yes—many keepers see paler color at first, with stronger coloration returning as the fish settles into the tank routine.
Do groups ever turn into pairs?
It can happen; some groups naturally sort into pairs while others remain a loose shoal long-term.
Will they eat from an auto-feeder?
Often yes, as long as the food is small enough to stay suspended briefly; pairing auto-feedings with occasional frozen feedings works well.
Shipped with pure oxygen and temperature control so it arrives stress-free and ready to eat.
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