Threespot chromis (Chromis verater)

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 verater · Authority: Jordan & Metz, 1912 · Taxonomic status: accepted · AphiaID: 273759.

Synonyms and superseded combinations recorded for this taxon: Chromis verator Jordan & Metz, 1912.

Source: World Register of Marine Species (WoRMS) — https://www.marinespecies.org/aphia.php?p=taxdetails&id=273759 (CC BY 4.0). Accessed 2026-09-25.

Biology and life history (FishBase)

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

Maximum length: 16 cm · Depth range: 6–160 m · Habitat zone: reef-associated · Body shape: short and / or deep · Vulnerability index: 11.6 of 100 · Fishery importance: commercial · Aquarium trade: commercial.

FishBase notes: Adults form large aggregations high above the bottom in rocky areas around caves and ledges (Ref. 7247). Benthopelagic (Ref. 58302). Collected from 183 m. Spawn from December to June (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 7819) — https://www.fishbase.se/summary/Chromis-verater.html (CC BY-NC 3.0 — non-commercial use only). Accessed 2026-09-25.

Distribution and occurrence records (GBIF)

1,190 georeferenced occurrence records for Chromis verater are published through GBIF from 2 countries or marine areas. The map above plots 30 distinct locations from a sample of 1,190 records, omitting 8 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: United States of America (1,065); United States Minor Outlying Islands (125).

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

Source: GBIF Occurrence Search (taxonKey 5212186) — https://www.gbif.org/occurrence/search?taxon_key=5212186&has_coordinate=true (records CC0 / CC BY); WoRMS distribution records (MarineRegions) — https://www.marinespecies.org/aphia.php?p=taxdetails&id=273759 (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 verater Jordan & Metz, 1912 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 188422) — https://www.iucnredlist.org/species/188422/0; GBIF IUCN Red List category endpoint (taxonKey 5212186) — https://api.gbif.org/v1/species/5212186/iucnRedListCategory. Accessed 2026-09-25.

Description and natural history (Wikipedia)

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.

This species has a lower body condition and weight-at-length in mesophotic sites compared to shallow reef sites. However, 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.

You can see the threespot chromis at almost any beach on the island. These species tend to live in rocky bottom areas around caves with a depth between 20 and 500 feet but are usually seen at slightly over 100 feet.

The species' behavior determines their habitat preference. To care for these fishes, they should be given wide-open swimming areas. The threespot chromis is locally common along ledges where they're exposed to the current where it feeds on zooplankton.

The threespot chromis can be displayed in a commercial aquarium. To care for these fishes, they should be given wide-open swimming areas. If in an aquarium, provide caves and ledges for shelter, this species probably prefers a low-lit aquarium.

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