Orange Chromide

Orange Chromide was first discovered in 1795. Its life span is of eight years. Two common color variants are seen in Orange Chromide. These are- original orange strain and a golden strain. It is very famous among the fish keeping hobbyists. It co-occurs throughout its range with the Green Chromide. The following account deals in most of the information about Orange Chromide.

Brackish waters of Asian rivers, estuaries and lagoons (India and Sri Lanka).

Water Preferences

It needs pH which ranges from 7 to 9. It requires brackish water to thrive nicely. If it is kept in freshwater, aquarium salt should be added to it.

Temperature Required: 20 degree C-29 degree C or 68 degree F-84 degree F.

Diet

Orange Chromide is a carnivorous fish. It feeds on Brine Shrimp, Tubifex, other crustaceans; pellets and flakes. It likes to eat live foods and relishes algae. To bring out its reddish hues, feed it with foods which are rich in beta-carotene.

Breeding

This is a substrate or cave-spawning species. If a small amount of sea water is added to its tank and temperature is slightly increased, it helps in initiating spawning. The eggs are unusual in possessing ‘stalks’ and the fry are unusual in that they may attach themselves to the parents’ bodies when they first hatch. The fry can be raised on roftiers and Artemia nauplii. The parental care may continue for four months.

Description

Orange Chromide is a vibrant and delicate fish. Breeding is moderately difficult in this fish species. It may be the only chichlid that is truly brackish water chichlid. Add one tea spoon of salt per gallon of water to avoid this fish from discoloring, losing appetite and becoming sensitive to fungal infections.

Physical Description

It is an oval shaped fish which is slightly elongated. Its body color is yellow to bright orange. Many rows of tiny orange-red spots mark its body. Close to the body’s mid section there are small slanting bars which are three in number. A large black area may mark the lower section of its body. Its belly is light orange in color. Its fins have a tone of orange and they are transparent. It has a slightly forked tail. Eyes it has are large and dark. Sometimes pelvic and anal fins are black.

Tank Set Up

Tank of an Orange Chromide should measure 24 inches or 50 cms. It should have the capacity to hold 57 liters or 15 gallons of water. Put coral sand or fine gravel with rocks scattered at the bottom of the tank. Provide shelter with wood, roots and rocks. It thrives well in a community tank of brackish water. It also does well in a community tank of freshwater but be very careful to add salt to this water or else Orange Chromide will become pale and also lose its appetite; it will also become prone to fungal infections. Add plants to its tank which can bear brackish water. Take care that the tank gets morning sunlight.

Social Behavior

Orange Chromide is a non-aggressive and non-destructive chichlid. It is prudent to keep this fish in pairs. Allow it to form pairs at its own from a group of 6-8 juveniles. These pairs form monogamous bonds which later turn into nuclear families.

Compatibility

It goes well with Livebearers, Celebes Rainbowfish, other Rainbowfish, Brachygobius, Halfbeaks, Danios and Chanda.

Changes in water chemistry make Orange Chromide susceptible. Therefore, water changes must be done regularly, at small intervals. This is a docile fish of Chichlidae family which requires places to hide. It develops its vibrant colors. It also acts as a cleaner fish and removes parasites from the Green Chromides.