The green chromide is a peaceful and beautiful freshwater fish that is native to India.
They’re a great addition to any community tank and get along well with most other fish.
This guide will teach you everything you need to know about green chromide care. You’ll learn about their diet, size, lifespan, and more!
Table of contents
Species overview
Green chromides (Etroplus suratensis) are a type of cichlid that’s found in brackish and freshwater environments across India, Sri Lanka, and parts of Indonesia.
They prefer to live in areas with a lot of vegetation, such as mangrove swamps, and are known to be very good at jumping out of the water. This means that if you’re keeping them in an aquarium, you’ll need to make sure it has a secure lid!
Green chromides are omnivores and will eat a wide variety of food, including plants, small invertebrates, and other fish.
Due to their hardiness and ability to adapt to a wide range of water conditions, green chromides are a popular choice for many aquarium owners. They’re also known to be relatively peaceful fish, which makes them a good choice for community tanks.
Appearance
The Green chromide is a beautiful fish that is olive green in color. The body is elongated and compressed, with adults reaching up to 15 cm (6 inches) in length. The head is large and slightly flattened, and the mouth is small and upturned. The fins are all rounded, and the caudal fin is deeply forked. The Green chromide is a peaceful, social fish that does well in groups.
Lifespan
In captivity, green chromides have an average lifespan of 6 to 10 years. However, it’s not uncommon for them to live up to 15 years if they’re well cared for.
These fish are very sensitive to water quality, so it’s important to keep a close eye on your tank’s parameters. If the water quality isn’t up to par, it can cause stress which can lead to a number of health problems.
Size
The average green chromide size is around 4 inches, but they can grow up to 6 inches long. These fish are relatively small, so they don’t need a lot of space to swim around.
Tank
Tank Size
The minimum tank size for green chromides is 30 gallons. If you’re looking for a fish that can be kept in a small tank, this is not the fish for you.
Green chromides are best kept in groups of 3 or more and will do best in a tank that is at least 50 gallons.
Water Parameters
The green chromide is a tropical fish that prefers warm water with a neutral to slightly alkaline pH. They’re found in slow-moving streams and rivers in southern India and Sri Lanka.
While they’re not as widely available as some other tropical fish, they’re still a popular choice for community tanks. They’re relatively peaceful and get along well with other fish, making them a good choice for beginners.
Here are a few water parameters to keep in mind when setting up a green chromide tank.
- Water temperature: 72 to 82 degrees Fahrenheit
- pH levels: 6.8 to 7.8
- Water hardness: 5 to 15 dGH
- Alkalinity Levels: 4-8 dKH
What To Put In Their Tank
When it comes to setting up an aquarium for Green chromides the process is relatively simple.
This species does best in a well-oxygenated tank with a moderate flow. They’re not too picky when it comes to substrate, but we prefer to use sand since it’s softer on their delicate barbels.
As for plants, you can use pretty much anything. These fish aren’t known to be plant eaters so you shouldn’t have any issues.
When it comes to décor, we recommend using driftwood and rocks. These fish like to have plenty of hiding spots, so the more the better. Just be sure that the pieces you use aren’t too big (they should be able to easily swim around them).
Common Diseases
Green chromides are a hardy fish species that is relatively resistant to disease. However, that doesn’t mean that they can’t get sick.
The most common disease that these fish experience is actually ich. This is a parasites that will attach itself to your fish and cause white spots to form on their body.
If left untreated, ich can be fatal. However, it’s usually not too difficult to treat. There are a number of different medications that can be used to get rid of the parasites.
The best way to avoid this (or any other disease) is to simply maintain clean and stable water conditions in your tank. This will go a long way in keeping your fish healthy and disease-free.
Behavior & Temperament
Green chromides are one of the few freshwater fish that form monogamous pairs. Once they find a mate, they’ll stick together for life. This is a very sweet and romantic gesture that not many fish species offer.
Aquarists often have trouble getting a chromide pair to form because they’re not easy to find. It’s best to buy a group of juveniles and let them pair off on their own.
These fish are also schooling fish, so they do best in groups. A school of chromides is a beautiful thing to see. They’re very peaceful and get along with other fish species.
Green chromides are known to be shy, so they need plenty of hiding places in their environment. If they don’t have enough places to hide, they’ll become stressed and their health will suffer.
These fish are also known to be jumpers, so make sure your aquarium is covered!
Tank Mates
The green chromide is a peaceful, social fish that does well in groups. In the wild, they can be found in schools of hundreds of individuals.
For the aquarium, a group of at least six is ideal. This will allow them to feel secure and help reduce aggression.
Green chromides are also relatively small fish. This is good news when it comes to compatibility because it gives you more options.
The main thing to avoid is anything that’s too large or aggressive. Other than that, there are a ton of green chromide tank mates to choose from.
Here are a few of the best:
- Tetras
- Rasboras
- Danios
- Barbels
- Loaches
- Corydoras
- Gouramis
- Dwarf Cichlids
Breeding
Green chromide are relatively easy to breed in captivity. They are a mouth-brooding species, which means that the female will carry the eggs and fry in her mouth until they are ready to be released.
To start the process, you will need to have a group of chromides that consists of at least one male and two females. The male will chase the females around until she is ready to spawn. Once the female is ready, she will release her eggs and the male will fertilize them.
The female will then scoop the eggs up into her mouth and carry them around until they hatch. This usually takes around 10 days.
Once the fry have hatched, the female will release them into the tank. At this point, you can start feeding them baby brine shrimp or other small live foods.
As the fry grow, you can start to introduce them to flake food or pellets.
Conclusion
The Green Chromide is an absolutely beautiful fish that is perfect for the community tank. They are peaceful and get along well with other fish, making them a great addition to any setup.
They are also very easy to care for, which is always a bonus. Overall, we think the Green Chromide is an excellent choice for any fish owner, whether you’re a beginner or a seasoned pro.
