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The Black Bar Chromis (Chromis retrofasciata / Pycnochromis retrofasciatus) is a powerhouse addition to any reef or marine community aquarium, blending high-impact aesthetics with essential utility. Featuring an exquisite, high-contrast color profile, this distinctive damselfish showcases a bright amber-yellow to gold body paired with a dramatic, vertical jet-black bar slicing across its rear body, flanked by a completely translucent-to-white tail fin. It is a master of the "minimalist reef" era of marine keeping—serving as a natural biological focal point for the mid-water column and tight rockwork crevices. It is a dedicated, highly active swimmer, making it a functional cornerstone of a dynamic marine ecosystem.
This exceptionally hardy fish thrives in mature, established reef systems with plenty of branching corals, stable water parameters, and moderate-to-strong water flow. While far more peaceful than many of its aggressive damselfish relatives, they are happiest and exhibit their most natural schooling and dither behaviors when kept in small groups of three to six or more. To ensure long-term health, provide a premium, varied diet consisting of high-quality marine flakes, pellets, and regular treats of frozen Mysis shrimp, brine shrimp, or finely chopped seafood. Ensure your aquarium features plenty of branching hard corals (like Acropora) or dense rock structures, which provide these cautious fish with an immediate sense of security.
Note: Images shown are stock images and not the actual fish you will receive.
Care Level: Easy
Temperament: Semi-aggressive (Very peaceful for a damselfish, but territorial with its own kind in tight spaces)
Minimum Tank Size: 30 Gallons
Diet: Omnivore
Reef Compatible: Yes
Max Size: 2–2.5 Inches
Water Conditions: 72 to 78°F, dKH 8 to 12, pH 8.1 to 8.4, Salinity 1.020 to 1.025
The Black Bar Chromis is a strategic choice for reef hobbyists looking for "sharp geometric contrast" and active dither movement in a compact space. Their specialized habit of hovering closely above branching SPS corals adds a layer of natural, wild energy to the upper canopy of your rockwork. In the context of modern reef keeping, they are widely considered the ultimate "low-profile reef-safe schooler" for adding both visual sharpness and active movement without the risk of coral nipping. For maximum success, keep them in odd-numbered shoals in a spacious setup to diffuse minor conspecific chasing, and ensure there is plenty of open swimming area directly adjacent to their preferred coral shelters.
We’ve dialed in the logistics for national Overnight Delivery to ensure your premium marine livestock arrives in peak condition. Every order is packed using professional-grade insulation and climate-contingent heat or ice packs, designed to maintain stable temperatures throughout the journey. We handle the technical side of the move so you can focus on the acclimation. Our protocol is built on getting these active reef-dwellers from the facility to your tank with zero compromise on health or vitality.
The Black Bar Chromis (Chromis retrofasciata / Pycnochromis retrofasciatus) is a powerhouse addition to any reef or marine community aquarium, blending high-impact aesthetics with essential utility. Featuring an exquisite, high-contrast color profile, this distinctive damselfish showcases a bright amber-yellow to gold body paired with a dramatic, vertical jet-black bar slicing across its rear body, flanked by a completely translucent-to-white tail fin. It is a master of the "minimalist reef" era of marine keeping—serving as a natural biological focal point for the mid-water column and tight rockwork crevices. It is a dedicated, highly active swimmer, making it a functional cornerstone of a dynamic marine ecosystem.
This exceptionally hardy fish thrives in mature, established reef systems with plenty of branching corals, stable water parameters, and moderate-to-strong water flow. While far more peaceful than many of its aggressive damselfish relatives, they are happiest and exhibit their most natural schooling and dither behaviors when kept in small groups of three to six or more. To ensure long-term health, provide a premium, varied diet consisting of high-quality marine flakes, pellets, and regular treats of frozen Mysis shrimp, brine shrimp, or finely chopped seafood. Ensure your aquarium features plenty of branching hard corals (like Acropora) or dense rock structures, which provide these cautious fish with an immediate sense of security.
Note: Images shown are stock images and not the actual fish you will receive.
Care Level: Easy
Temperament: Semi-aggressive (Very peaceful for a damselfish, but territorial with its own kind in tight spaces)
Minimum Tank Size: 30 Gallons
Diet: Omnivore
Reef Compatible: Yes
Max Size: 2–2.5 Inches
Water Conditions: 72 to 78°F, dKH 8 to 12, pH 8.1 to 8.4, Salinity 1.020 to 1.025
The Black Bar Chromis is a strategic choice for reef hobbyists looking for "sharp geometric contrast" and active dither movement in a compact space. Their specialized habit of hovering closely above branching SPS corals adds a layer of natural, wild energy to the upper canopy of your rockwork. In the context of modern reef keeping, they are widely considered the ultimate "low-profile reef-safe schooler" for adding both visual sharpness and active movement without the risk of coral nipping. For maximum success, keep them in odd-numbered shoals in a spacious setup to diffuse minor conspecific chasing, and ensure there is plenty of open swimming area directly adjacent to their preferred coral shelters.
We’ve dialed in the logistics for national Overnight Delivery to ensure your premium marine livestock arrives in peak condition. Every order is packed using professional-grade insulation and climate-contingent heat or ice packs, designed to maintain stable temperatures throughout the journey. We handle the technical side of the move so you can focus on the acclimation. Our protocol is built on getting these active reef-dwellers from the facility to your tank with zero compromise on health or vitality.
