Azores chromis (Chromis limbata)

Classification (WoRMS)

Full classification as recorded by WoRMS: Kingdom: Animalia · Phylum: Chordata · Class: Teleostei · Order: Ovalentaria incertae sedis · Family: Pomacentridae · Genus: Chromis.

Accepted name: Chromis limbata · Authority: (Valenciennes, 1833) · Taxonomic status: accepted · AphiaID: 127001.

Synonyms and superseded combinations recorded for this taxon: Chromis limbatus (Valenciennes, 1833); Heliases limbatus Valenciennes, 1833; Heliazes marginatus Valenciennes, 1843.

Source: World Register of Marine Species (WoRMS) — https://www.marinespecies.org/aphia.php?p=taxdetails&id=127001 (CC BY 4.0). Accessed 2026-09-25.

Biology and life history (FishBase)

Measured values published by FishBase for Chromis limbata. Only fields the database actually holds for this species are shown; these are database values, not aquarium guidance.

Maximum length: 12 cm · Depth range: 5–45 m · Habitat zone: reef-associated · Body shape: fusiform / normal · Vulnerability index: 10 of 100 · Fishery importance: minor commercial.

FishBase notes: Adults inhabit rocky reefs and sand-weed areas (Ref. 7247). Oviparous, distinct pairing during breeding (Ref. 205). Eggs are demersal and adhere to the substrate (Ref. 205). Males guard and aerate the eggs (Ref. 205).

Source: FishBase species summary (SpecCode 11868) — https://www.fishbase.se/summary/Chromis-limbata.html (CC BY-NC 3.0 — non-commercial use only). Accessed 2026-09-25.

Distribution and occurrence records (GBIF)

1,376 georeferenced occurrence records for Chromis limbata are published through GBIF from 9 countries or marine areas. The map above plots 47 distinct locations from a sample of 1,376 records, omitting 4 inland records that carry an institution's coordinates rather than a collection site; it shows where the species has been observed and reported, not a modelled range.

Most records by country or area: Spain (489); Portugal (482); Brazil (393); Senegal (6); Angola (2).

The full country table, WoRMS marine regions and the sampling notes are on this species' Distribution page.

Source: GBIF Occurrence Search (taxonKey 9724320) — https://www.gbif.org/occurrence/search?taxon_key=9724320&has_coordinate=true (records CC0 / CC BY); WoRMS distribution records (MarineRegions) — https://www.marinespecies.org/aphia.php?p=taxdetails&id=127001 (CC BY 4.0); Natural Earth 110m basemap — https://www.naturalearthdata.com/ (public domain). Accessed 2026-09-25.

Conservation status (IUCN Red List)

The IUCN Red List assesses Chromis limbata (Valenciennes, 1833) as Least Concern (code LC). No trend, population estimate or threat analysis is given here, because none is available from this source without the Red List API; follow the source link for the full assessment, including its date.

Source: IUCN Red List of Threatened Species (taxon 188486) — https://www.iucnredlist.org/species/188486/0; GBIF IUCN Red List category endpoint (taxonKey 9724320) — https://api.gbif.org/v1/species/9724320/iucnRedListCategory. Accessed 2026-09-25.

Description and natural history (Wikipedia)

Chromis limbata is greyish-brown in colour with a dark dorsal fin, anal fin and distal margin of the caudal fin, with its proximate part being whitish. When spawning, the male develops a slightly purple hue as its courtship colours. It has a large eye and a strongly protractile mouth which reaches the vertical from eye.

There are three rows of small canine-like teeth on the jaws. The dorsal fin has 14 spines and 11-12 soft rays while the anal fin has 2 spines and 10-12 soft rays. It grows to 12 cm standard length.

Distribution

Chromis limbata occurs in the Azores and Madeira which are part of Portugal and in the Canary Islands, Spain. It has also been reported off the coast of western Africa from Senegal to Pointe Noire, Congo. It is apparently replaced in the Cape Verde Islands by the endemic Lubbock's chromis (Chromis lubbocki). Small numbers of C. limbata have been recorded off islands in Santa Catarina in southern Brazil and these may be vagrants or may have been introduced through discharge of ships' ballast water.

Biology

The adults of Chromis limbata occur in rocky reefs and sandy-weedy areas, with a depth range of 5 – 45 m. They are oviparous and form pairs to breed, the male clears a space on the substrate for the female to lay the eggs in, the eggs adhere to the substrate and the male guards and aerates them.

It is commonest between depths of 5 to 50 m. It can either be found close to the sea bed or it forms pelagic schools. It feeds on small benthic or planktonic invertebrates.

Taxonomy

It was formerly considered conspecific with Chromis chromis but in some areas the two species are sympatric.

Uses

Chromis limbata is a valued food fish in Madeira and is subject to a small scale artisanal fishery, especially off the south and east of the island.

Source: Wikipedia: Chromis limbata — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chromis_limbata (CC BY-SA 4.0). Accessed 2026-09-25.