Barrier Reef Chromis - Chromis nitida

Barrier Reef Chromis (Chromis nitida)

The Barrier Reef Chromis is a bright, active and peaceful marine damselfish, admired for its shimmering silver-white body, yellowish back and clean reef-safe behaviour. Also known as the Yellowback Puller or Shining Puller, this Australian Chromis is a beautiful schooling fish for mature reef aquariums. It is generally calmer than many classic damselfish and works best when kept in a group with plenty of open swimming space, strong oxygenation and peaceful tank mates.

Common Name:
Barrier Reef Chromis. Also commonly referred to as the Yellowback Puller, Yellow-Back Puller, Yellow-Backed Puller or Shining Puller.

Scientific Name (Latin):
Chromis nitida

Maximum Size:
Around 7–9 cm, making it a small to medium-sized reef fish that still needs open swimming space when kept in a group.

Water Type:
Marine.

Origin / Natural Habitat:
Restricted to eastern Australia, including the Great Barrier Reef, coastal New South Wales and Lord Howe Island. In the wild, adults are usually found in small to large midwater groups around coral-rich outer reef edges, reef slopes and clear reef habitats. Juveniles and some adults may also occur in lagoons.

Water Parameters:
Temperature: 24–27°C
pH Range: 8.1–8.4
Salinity: 1.020–1.025 SG

Temperament:
Generally peaceful. Like other Chromis, it is calmer than many territorial damselfish, but mild chasing or hierarchy behaviour can occur within groups. It is best kept with peaceful to moderately active reef fish that will not bully it or prevent it from feeding.

Diet:
Omnivorous planktivore. In the wild, it feeds on zooplankton, algae and small suspended foods in the water column. In the aquarium it should be offered a varied diet including quality marine flakes, small pellets, frozen mysis, enriched brineshrimp, copepods, cyclops, finely chopped krill and occasional algae or spirulina-based foods. Several small feeds per day are ideal for maintaining condition in active Chromis species.

Minimum Tank Size:
A practical recommendation is at least 250–300 litres for a small group, with a longer aquarium preferred to provide open swimming space and reduce group tension. A single specimen can be kept in a smaller mature reef aquarium, but this species is much more natural and attractive when kept in a group.

Behaviour & Activity:
This is an active midwater reef fish that spends much of the day swimming above and around live rock, often forming loose groups in open water. It is diurnal and usually very visible once settled. In nature, it forms pairs during breeding, with eggs laid on the substrate and guarded by the male. In the aquarium, a group should be given open swimming room, strong oxygenation and broken sight lines around rockwork.

Reef Safe:
Reef Safe
This species is generally safe with corals and most common reef invertebrates. It is not normally a coral-nipping fish and is well suited to reef aquariums. The main consideration is group dynamics, as some chasing can occur between individuals, especially in small aquariums or when kept in very small numbers.

Special Requirements or Care Notes:
Best kept in a mature marine aquarium with stable water quality, strong oxygenation, good water movement, live rock and open swimming areas. Chromis species can be sensitive to poor water quality and stress after transport, so careful acclimation and quarantine are recommended. Keeping a suitably sized group in a spacious aquarium helps spread social pressure and encourages more natural behaviour.

Suitable for:
Beginner to intermediate marine fishkeepers

Availability:
Occasional in trade, with Australian specimens less commonly available than standard Green Chromis.

All images are a visual representation of the fish you will receive, made to be as accurate as possible. Please note that Mother Nature is a wonderful thing, and variation in patterns and colours will occur — that is part of the unique beauty of these animals.