Green chromide (Etroplus suratensis) are freshwater fish native to parts of Southeast Asia, India, and Sri Lanka. They are small, colorful fish that are popular in the aquarium trade, although they aren’t particularly easy to care for.
If you’re planning on bringing these beautiful fish into your home, be sure to learn about the species and the environmental conditions it needs in order to live a long, healthy life. Green chromide are pretty easy to recognize thanks to their distinctive markings and coloration.
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Etroplus suratensis is also commonly known as the Green Chromis or simply Etroplus (which refers to all Etroplus species). It’s found in tropical marine waters of the Indian Ocean and the Pacific Ocean from Africa to Australia and has been recorded at depths between 1-35 meters. The Green Chromide can grow up to about 8 inches in length, with females growing larger than males.
Table of Contents
Origin and description
The etroplus suratensis is a very popular freshwater aquarium fish that originates from Asia. They can be found in Thailand, Malaysia, Indonesia, Singapore, Hong Kong, China, and India. They are attractive green chromide fish that have pinkish fins with hints of blue.
There are two distinct species within Etroplus suratensis: small which averages 3 inches and large averaging 4 to 5 inches depending on habitat. Large specimens should not be kept in tanks smaller than 55 gallons due to their potential size.
Species profile
Green chromide—or Etroplus suratensis, as it’s more formally known—is a hardy species of cichlid fish native to India. This freshwater species can tolerate a range of water temperatures, making it an ideal choice for both cold water and tropical tanks. Two other closely related Etroplus species are commonly found in aquarium stores: Etroplus maculatus and Etroplus quadripunctatus.
It is important to note that these three species do not naturally interbreed with one another; therefore, their offspring will be sterile if kept together. Additionally, all members of their genus share similarities that make them attractive additions to almost any community tank setting; keep reading for some basic information on how best to care for green chromides!
Etroplus suratensis common name
The common name for Etroplus suratensis is Green chromide cichlid
Habitat
The green chromide is a species of cichlid fish. This beautiful tropical fish is endemic to Southeast Asia, living in freshwater rivers and lakes in India, Sri Lanka, Myanmar, Thailand, Cambodia, and Malaysia. They are found throughout their habitat at depths of up to 12 feet (3.7 m) but can be seen more often swimming on rocky surfaces within a river system than in open water.
Etroplus suratensis size
This species can grow up to 8 inches (20 cm) in length.
Etroplus suratensis tank size
The minimum recommended tank size for these species is 55 gallons
Tank set up
The green chromide is a schooling fish that should be kept in groups of four or more individuals. While not as aggressive as other cichlids, they can occasionally become territorial toward other fish of similar body shapes, so it’s a good idea to keep them with species of significantly different body shapes.
If you want to pair two male green chromides, add them after your tank has been established, because adding new fish to an established tank can lead to spikes in ammonia. Be sure to use caution when setting up tanks containing mbuna; these fish have powerful jaws, sharp teeth, and delicate fins.
With proper care and observation, though, green chromides are suitable for beginning aquarists who are looking for a non-aggressive cichlid species with vibrant coloration—they’re definitely a great addition to any saltwater aquarium!
Green chromide tank mates
Good tank mates include danios, tetras, rasboras, hatchetfish, catfish like kissing gourami or bristlenose pleco, and other non-aggressive fish that inhabit similar water conditions. Fish that are too large may harass it to death or eat it. This fish is best kept with fish that swim around mid-tank in a school of their own species.
Breeding
Keeping a green chromide can be difficult, but it’s not impossible. To start breeding them, you will first need to have at least three females and two males in your tank. After that, you will also need to feed them enriched live food once every other day to keep their stomachs filled. The offspring are smaller than an adult’s head, so they may be hard to spot at first!
Their coloration depends on their gender: Males are bright orange while females are yellowish-green. Once your fish reaches about 3 inches (7 cm) in length, you can sell or trade them with pet stores. However, don’t rush to do so—smaller green chromides should be kept captive until they reach maturity, which usually takes one year or more. You should expect some mortality during that time as well. In captivity, these species live up to five years or more.
Are they aggressive or peaceful?
Etroplus suratensis are quite peaceful as adults, although they will readily eat smaller fish when they get big enough. If you house them with other species of fish, ensure there are plenty of hiding places so they can feel secure in their environment. If a bigger fish harasses them, they will usually back down after a few warnings are issued.
Etroplus suratensis care
This is a schooling fish that needs to be kept in a group of at least 4. They can be housed with other peaceful species, but should not be housed with other members of their genus as they can easily hybridize. Keep them in groups of 8 or more. Avoid keeping them with smaller species or very active species (such as some livebearers) which might pick on them.
Also, avoid putting them with aggressive cichlids as these will nip at their fins. Ideally, keep them in non-discolored water conditions and make sure that you maintain stability by doing frequent partial water changes when adding new specimens to your tank. Temperatures range from 75–84 degrees F, although are tolerant of higher temperatures if dissolved oxygen levels are maintained within acceptable ranges.
Feed these fishes once daily; feed fry 3 times per day so that they do not starve to death before maturing into juveniles.
Green chromide nutrition
Etroplus suratensis is a species of marine fish that lives in coral reefs around Southeast Asia. This schooling fish eats plankton, algae, crustaceans, mollusks, shrimp, and various other small organisms in its natural habitat. These colorful fish are omnivores, meaning they eat both plants and animals. Their diet changes slightly based on what season it is; for example, certain algae might be more plentiful during warmer months than colder ones.
Water parameters
This species of fish is mostly found in freshwater streams, rivers, ditches, ponds, swamps, and small lakes. The water should be clear to slightly murky. pH levels should be between 6.0-7.0. Hardness should be soft to moderately hard (dH). Fish kept in these conditions will thrive but if kept in harder or softer water, they may experience health problems due to stress caused by inconsistent conditions compared to their natural habitat which can lead to illness or death.
Etroplus suratensis lifespan
In captivity, they can live up to 8 years with good care.
Parasites and diseases
Infection is a primary cause of mortality in wild Etroplus suratensis populations; parasites may include monogeneans, digeneans, nematodes, trematodes, and acanthocephalans. The disease has been observed in captive specimens; symptoms include emaciation, mucus around eyes, and skin lesions. The cause of these skin lesions remains unknown but the disease is thought to be opportunistic rather than infectious or parasitic.
Predators
One of the more distinctive characteristics of Etroplus suratensis is its ability to camouflage itself. Though its body may appear bright red, it can be hard to spot against coral in an aquarium, as it tends to blend in with polyps. In wild populations, predation can be a major source of mortality for juveniles—but adults seem able to defend themselves by using their sharp teeth.
Do Etroplus suratensis make good pets?
No. Green chromides are extremely aggressive, wild fish that should not be kept in aquariums. They are very challenging to keep alive in captivity and die after a very short period of time when captured from their natural habitat. Even fishkeepers who have many years of experience keeping other Chromis species often find themselves unable to adequately care for these highly specialized feeders.
