Green chromis

Lacks mouth and eyes when they hatch

When it is time for the green chromis to mate, the male digs a small nest in the sand where he attempts to attract females. When a female has laid her eggs and the eggs have been fertilised by the male, he guards them carefully until they hatch a few days later. The fry lack both eyes and a functioning mouth when they are newly hatched. During the first days after hatching, the fry are sustained by nourishment retained from the egg. After about two days, they have developed enough to be able to eat on their own with their mouths.

Popular aquarium fish

Green chromis are beautiful, shiny, light blue-green fish that live in schools in shallow water around coral reefs. During spawning, the males turn more yellowish in colour, but it is otherwise difficult to tell the sexes apart. The green chromis is a popular aquarium fish in saltwater aquariums and is sometimes used as bait by people fishing for tuna.