Pomacentridae is a family of ray-finned fish, comprising the damselfishes and clownfishes. This family were formerly placed in the order Perciformes but are now regarded as being incertae sedis in the subseries Ovalentaria in the clade Percomorpha. They are primarily marine, while a few species inhabit freshwater and brackish environments. They are noted for their hardy constitutions and territoriality. Many are brightly colored, so they are popular in aquaria.
Chromis is a genus of fish in the family Pomacentridae. While the term damselfish describes a group of marine fish including more than one genus, most damselfish are in the genus Chromis. These fish are popular aquarium pets due to their small size, tolerance for poor water quality, and bright colors, though their lifespans tend to be shorter than other fish.
The black-axil chromis, also known as the blackfin chromis or blue-green puller, is a damselfish from the tropical Indo-Pacific. This fish can reach almost 12 centimetres (4.7 in) in length. It inhabits lagoons and reefs after settlement in the late-larval stage, and often occurs in large numbers, feeding above Acropora corals. This fish mostly feeds upon copepods, amphipods, and zoea.
Chromis viridis is a species of damselfish. Individuals tend to be iridescent apple-green and light blue, and reach a maximal length of 10 cm.
Pycnochromis retrofasciatus, the black-bar chromis, is a Chromis from the Western Pacific Ocean. It occasionally makes its way into the aquarium trade. It grows to a size of 4 cm in length.
Neoglyphidodon nigroris, common name black-and-gold chromis or Behn's damsel is a damselfish from the Indo-West Pacific. It occasionally makes its way into the aquarium trade. It grows to a size of 13 centimetres (5.1 in) in total length.
The spiny chromis is a species of damselfish from the western Pacific. It is the only member of the genus Acanthochromis.
Pycnochromis amboinensis, the Ambon chromis, is a damselfish from the Western Pacific. It occasionally makes its way into the aquarium trade. It grows to a size of 9 cm (3.5 in) in length.
Chromis brevirostris, or colloquially known as the shortsnout chromis, is a type of damselfish that was described in 2008 by R. Pyle, J. Earle, and B. Greene in the western Pacific Ocean. This species comes from the genus Chromis which contains eighty species and counting, including C. abyssus, C. circumaurea, C. degruyi, and C. earina. Chromis brevirostris can be found in the Pacific Ocean, located as far north as the Marshall Islands to as far south as Fiji and Vanuatu, and spanning from Palau to Paluwat of the Caroline Islands. The species’ name, Chromis brevirostris, derives from Latin origin; brevis and rostrum mean “short” and “snout” respectively. It is generally abundant in its environment, living at depths of 90–120 metres (300–390 ft), tending to live in groups ranging in size from six to several dozen.
The yellow chromis or yellow puller is a species of marine fish in the family Pomacentridae. It is widespread throughout the tropical waters of the central Indo-Pacific region. A small fish, it can reach a maximum size of 17 cm in length.
The yellowtail reeffish is a species of damselfish in the family Pomacentridae.
Pycnochromis vanderbilti, Vanderbilt's chromis, is a species of damselfish native to the Indian Ocean and the Pacific Ocean. The specific name honours the yachtsman and explorer George Washington Vanderbilt III (1914-1961), the organiser of an expedition to Oahu in 1940 during which the type was collected. In naming this species Fowler acknowledged Vanderbilt for his role in developing the collection of fishes at the Academy of Natural Sciences of Philadelphia.
Pycnochromis acares is a species of damselfish native to the Pacific Ocean.
Chromis degruyi is a species of fish in the family Pomacentridae. It was first found at depths greater than 60 metres (200 ft) in a coral reef habitat in the western Pacific, specifically the Caroline Islands. It differs from its cogenerates on a colour and morphological basis.
The Azores chromis or Atlantic chromis is a species of damselfish from the family Pomacentridae which is found in the Macaronesian Islands of the temperate eastern Atlantic Ocean and has been reported from coastal regions of western Africa.
Vanacampus margaritifer, also known as the mother-of-pearl pipefish is a species of marine fish belonging to the family Syngnathidae. They can be found inhabiting seaweed and seagrass beds in addition to rocky reefs along the southern and eastern coast of Australia from Brisbane to Perth. Their diet likely consists of small crustaceans. Reproduction occurs through ovoviviparity in which the males brood eggs before giving live birth.
Loren Paul Woods (1913-1979) was an American ichthyologist and museum curator at the Field Museum of Natural History In Chicago. He joined the museum's education department as a guide lecturer in 1938. In 1941, he was transferred to the Division of Fishes, from where he retired in 1978. His career was interrupted by a four-year period of duty with the United States Navy during World War II. While he was in the navy, Marion Griswold Grey served as the unpaid curator, becoming an associate at the museum when Woods resumed his post. During his time at the Field Museum, he assembled specimen collections of North American freshwater fish and Atlantic, Indian, and Pacific Ocean marine fish. This material resulted in a major expansion of the museum's fishes holdings, which had previously been a mostly freshwater collection. Woods is best remembered for his publications on damselfish, squirrelfish, and Berycidae.
Pycnochromis atripes, the dark-fin chromis, is a diurnal species of damselfish belonging to the genus Pycnochromis. It can be found in the Western Pacific Ocean in Christmas Islands and in north-western Australia in the East Indian Ocean to Kiribati, and north to Southern Japan. It can also be found in Tonga. It inhabits areas of outer reef and slopes which are rich in coral, appearing singly or in small groups near the bottom. It is oviparous, and the males of the species guard and aerate the eggs.>
Pycnochromis delta, the deep reef chromis, is a diurnal species of damselfish belonging to the genus Chromis. It can be found in the Indo-West Pacific, from Maldives and Christmas Island to Fiji, north to Taiwan and the Philippines, and south to Vanuatu. It can also be found in Tonga. It inhabits steep outer reef slopes with rich coral growth. They can either appear singly or in small groups remaining near shelter, often at the entrance of large caves or near its ceiling. It is oviparous, and the males of the species guard and aerate the eggs.
