• EnglishName: Deep-reefchromis
  • Local Name : Fun nilamehi
  • Size : Common to 4 cm; max. 9 cm
  • Family: POMACENTRIDAE
  • Order : Perciformes
  • Distinctive Characters: Dorsal fin with 12 spines and 12-14 rays. Anal fin with 2 spines and 12-14 rays. Pectoral rays 15-17. Body depth 1.8-2.1 in standard length. Caudal fin lobes ending in two filaments.
  • Colour: Dark grey-brown, bluish-grey ventrally, with a broad white bar on caudal peduncle often edged anteriorly with black. A black spot covering pectoral fin base and axil.
  • Habitat and Biology: Generally found on lower reef slopes at depths greater than 25 m. Feeds primarily on planktons.
  • Distribution: Maldives to Western Pacific.
  • Remarks: Chromis delta is common in the Maldives, but it is not often noticed by snorkellers or even divers because of its relatively small size and the fact that it tends to live in deep outer reef slopes. It is very similar to C. margaratifer, which so far is known from the Eastern Indian Ocean to Central Pacific, but which might occur in the Maldives.
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Biodiversity of Maldives
Biodiversity of Maldives