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Ovate chromis (Chromis ovatiformes) — Pomacentridae

Ovate chromis

Chromis ovatiformes
Family: Pomacentridae

The Ovate chromis (Chromis ovatiformes) is a fish of the family Pomacentridae that grows up to 10 cm.

Length
10 cm
Diet
Omnivore
Behaviour
Schooling
Activity
Diurnal
Substrate
Stone or rock
Danger
Harmless

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Description

The Ovate chromis is a damselfish (Pomacentridae) from reef water of the western Pacific. The species grows to about 10 cm and has a stocky, grey-brown body with a forked tail. As a day-active schooling fish it hovers in loose clouds above coral and rocky reefs and snaps at zooplankton in the current; when threatened the whole school dives into the coral. It lays its eggs on the bottom, where the male guards them. The fish is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Ovate chromis?

The Ovate chromis is mainly brown.

Where does the Ovate chromis live?

The Ovate chromis is mostly found around stony or rocky ground.

How big does the Ovate chromis get?

The Ovate chromis grows to a maximum of about 10 cm.

Is the Ovate chromis dangerous to humans?

No, the Ovate chromis is harmless to humans. This species is harmless to humans. No specific first aid is needed. Still handle the fish with care: mind the fin rays and the sharp edges of the gill cover, and rinse any scratch with clean water and cover it. For a dirty or deep wound check tetanus status.

More photos

Ovate chromis (Chromis ovatiformes) — Pomacentridae — 2
Williams, Jeffrey T. (CC0 1.0) via GBIF — USNM
Ovate chromis (Chromis ovatiformes) — Pomacentridae — 3
Williams, Jeffrey T. (CC0 1.0) via GBIF — USNM
Ovate chromis (Chromis ovatiformes) — Pomacentridae — 4
iNaturalist ((c) Jens Sommer-Knudsen, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Ovate chromis (Chromis ovatiformes) — Pomacentridae — 5
iNaturalist ((c) Mark Rosenstein, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))

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All data

Identification

English name
Ovate chromis sourced
Scientific name
Chromis ovatiformes
Family
Pomacentridae

Appearance

Size class
Small
Max length (cm)
10
Dominant colour
Brown sourced
Tail shape
Forked

Habitat & distribution

Substrate
Stone or rock sourced
Origin
Native

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Omnivore
Diet (detail)
Invertebrates, algae and detritus
Social behaviour
Schooling sourced
Territorial
No
Activity
Diurnal sourced
Reproduction
Separate sexes
Sexual dimorphism
No
Seasonality
Present year-round in its habitat; no pronounced seasonality known.

For anglers

Regulations source

Safety

Danger to humans
Harmless verified
First aid
This species is harmless to humans. No specific first aid is needed. Still handle the fish with care: mind the fin rays and the sharp edges of the gill cover, and rinse any scratch with clean water and cover it. For a dirty or deep wound check tetanus status. verified

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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