Chromis verater
Hawaiian endemic damselfish with three white spots.
The threespot chromis (Chromis verater) is a damselfish found only in Hawaii. It eats plankton. Usually dark gray or black, it has three white spots: one on the rear base of the dorsal fin, one on the rear base of the anal fin, and one at the mid-base of the tail. The fish can make these spots lighter, darker, or even disappear. Sometimes it turns almost entirely silver-gray. During spawning, males lighten their bodies while keeping their fins dark, resembling the Hawaiian dascyllus. This species has a lower body condition and weight at a given length in deeper, mesophotic sites compared to shallow reefs.
You can see threespot chromis at nearly any Hawaiian beach. They live in rocky areas around caves, from 20 to 500 feet deep, though they are most common just over 100 feet. Their habitat choice depends on their behavior. They are locally common along ledges exposed to currents, where they feed on zooplankton.
In an aquarium, threespot chromis need wide-open swimming areas, plus caves and ledges for shelter. They probably prefer low lighting. They are suitable for commercial display.
Quick Facts
- Taxon
- Chromis verater
Facts from the source article.
Lore & Background
The threespot chromis is usually dark gray or black with three white spots: one above, one below, and one on the bottom of the tail. Specifically, the three white spots are located on the rear base of the dorsal fin, the rear base of the anal fin, and at the mid-base of the caudal fin. This species is able to lighten or darken its spots, which could also disappear. At times it can turn almost entirely silver-gray. During spawning season, the male species tend to lighten their bodies while their fins are dark, resembling a pattern of Hawaiian Dascyllus.
This species has a lower body condition and weight-at-length in mesophotic sites compared to shallow reef sites. The threespot chromis is locally common along ledges where they're exposed to the current where it feeds on zooplankton. Their behavior determines their habitat preference.
Reader's Guide
The threespot chromis is a species of damselfish endemic to Hawaii, commonly seen at almost any beach on the island. It lives in rocky bottom areas around caves at depths between 20 and 500 feet, usually at slightly over 100 feet. The species is planktivorous, feeding on zooplankton while exposed to currents along ledges. It can be displayed in a commercial aquarium; to care for these fishes, they should be given wide-open swimming areas, with caves and ledges for shelter, and it probably prefers a low-lit aquarium. The species is notable for its three white spots that can lighten, darken, or disappear, and for the males' color change during spawning season, when they lighten their bodies and darken their fins, resembling Hawaiian Dascyllus. Its lower body condition and weight-at-length in mesophotic sites compared to shallow reefs is a documented characteristic.
Did You Know?
- The threespot chromis is endemic to Hawaii.
- During spawning season, males lighten their bodies while their fins are dark, resembling Hawaiian Dascyllus.
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