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Black-bar chromis (Chromis retrofasciata) — Pomacentridae

Black-bar chromis

Chromis retrofasciata
Family: Pomacentridae

The Black-bar chromis (Chromis retrofasciata) is a fish of the family Pomacentridae that grows up to 6 cm.

Length
5.5 cm
Diet
Carnivore
Behaviour
Small groups
Activity
Diurnal
Substrate
Stone or rock
Danger
Harmless
Range
Western Pacific; branching coral in lagoons and coastal reefs.
Edibility
Not eaten

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Description

The black-bar chromis is a small damselfish (Pomacentridae) from the western Pacific. The species grows to a few centimetres and has a yellow-brown body with a conspicuous dark bar just before the tail base, to which the name refers. It lives in small groups close to sheltered, branching coral in lagoons and on inshore reefs, into which it darts when threatened. It feeds on zooplankton that it picks from the water above the coral. The species is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Black-bar chromis?

The Black-bar chromis is mainly yellow-gold and shows a vertical stripes pattern. Dark band in front of the caudal peduncle; dives away into branching coral when threatened.

Where does the Black-bar chromis live?

The Black-bar chromis is mostly found around stony or rocky ground. Western Pacific; branching coral in lagoons and coastal reefs.

How big does the Black-bar chromis get?

The Black-bar chromis grows to a maximum of about 6 cm.

Is the Black-bar chromis dangerous to humans?

No, the Black-bar chromis is harmless to humans. None required: this species is harmless to humans.

Is the Black-bar chromis edible?

The Black-bar chromis is not usually eaten.

More photos

Black-bar chromis (Chromis retrofasciata) — Pomacentridae — 2
Wikimedia Commons — Rickard Zerpe (CC BY 2.0)
Black-bar chromis (Chromis retrofasciata) — Pomacentridae — 3
cello caruso-turiello (CC BY 4.0) via GBIF — iNaturalist
Black-bar chromis (Chromis retrofasciata) — Pomacentridae — 4
cello caruso-turiello (CC BY 4.0) via GBIF — iNaturalist
Black-bar chromis (Chromis retrofasciata) — Pomacentridae — 5
iNaturalist ((c) mattdowse, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))

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All data

Identification

English name
Black-bar chromis sourced
Scientific name
Chromis retrofasciata
Family
Pomacentridae
Other names
Blackbar chromis; Blackbar puller; Black-bar puller

Appearance

Size class
Small verified
Max length (cm)
5.5 sourced
Dominant colour
Yellow / gold
Pattern
Vertical bars
Tail shape
Forked
Mouth position
Terminal
Lips
Thin
Barbels
No sourced
Dorsal fins
One continuous
Dorsal spines
Yes sourced

Habitat & distribution

Substrate
Stone or rock sourced
Natural range
Western Pacific; branching coral in lagoons and coastal reefs.
Origin
Native sourced

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Carnivore sourced
Diet (detail)
Zooplankton sourced
Social behaviour
Small groups
Territorial
Yes
Activity
Diurnal
Reproduction
Separate sexes sourced
Sexual dimorphism
No
Seasonality
Present year-round in its habitat; no pronounced seasonality known.
Special features
Dark band in front of the caudal peduncle; dives away into branching coral when threatened. sourced

For anglers

Edibility
Not eaten sourced
Fishing method
Not a target species for angling; at most an incidental catch or usable as baitfish.
Regulations source

Safety

Danger to humans
Harmless sourced
First aid
None required: this species is harmless to humans. sourced

Status & sources

Sources
FishBase via GBIF (DwC-A), CC-BY-NC 4.0

Same genus Chromis

More from the family Pomacentridae

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