Green Chromis Identification Guide
Identify the Green Chromis by its small size, iridescent blue-green sheen, and deeply forked tail.
Read the full Green Chromis encyclopedia entry →Key identification features
- Small, slender, oval-bodied damselfish reaching about 4 inches (10 cm)
- Iridescent pale green to blue-green sheen across the entire body, shifting with the light
- Plain coloration with no bars, spots, or bold markings
- Deeply forked, translucent tail fin with pointed lobes
- Large eyes and a small, terminal mouth
- Typically seen swimming in large, loose schools well above the reef
- Body narrows evenly from head to tail with no humps or steep profile changes
Common look-alikes
- Blue Green Chromis (regional form): near identical, sometimes considered the same species, distinguished only by slightly deeper blue tones and minor range differences
- Blue Devil Damselfish: similarly iridescent, but has a deeper, more compact body and a less deeply forked tail than the streamlined Green Chromis
Where you'll see one
Green Chromis are found throughout the Indo-Pacific on outer reef slopes and lagoons, where large schools hover in open water just above coral heads to feed on drifting plankton, retreating into branching coral when threatened.
Frequently asked questions
How do I tell a Green Chromis from a Blue Devil Damselfish?
The Green Chromis has a slimmer body and a deeply forked tail, while the Blue Devil Damselfish is deeper-bodied with a less forked tail.
What behavior helps identify Green Chromis in the field?
Look for large, loose schools hovering in open water above the reef, feeding on plankton rather than staying close to the substrate.