Chromis Black-Bar

Species Profile

• Scientific Name: Pycnochromis retrofasciata
• Common Name: Chromis Black-Bar
• Adult Size: Up to 7 cm (2.75 inches)
• Life Expectancy: 5 to 8 years in captivity
• Habitat: Shallow reef slopes and lagoons in the Indo-Pacific region; often found among branching corals

Tank Requirements

• Minimum Tank Size: 30 gallons (114 liters) for a small group
• Ideal Temperature: 24°C – 28°C (75°F – 82°F)
• pH Range: 8.1 – 8.4
• Water Hardness: 8 – 12 dKH
• Temperament: Peaceful; best kept in small groups, though may show mild aggression within schools

Diet & Nutrition

• Omnivorous: Yes
• Diet: Eats a variety of foods including plankton, mysis shrimp, brine shrimp, finely chopped seafood, and high-quality marine flakes or pellets. Will graze on algae and microfauna.

Appearance

• Coloration: Yellow to pale body with a prominent vertical black bar just behind the eye and sometimes faint horizontal striping
• Size & Shape: Small, oval-bodied with a forked tail, built for quick darting movements

Distinctive Features

• Black vertical bar behind the eye (namesake feature)
• Schooling behavior with fast, darting swimming patterns
• Hardy and adaptable—suitable for beginner marine aquarists