Chromisfieldiis a newly described species of damselfish from the Indian Ocean which was recently identified and described as a separate species fromChromisdimidiata. The new description published inAquanow recognizesChromisdimidiataas a Red Sea endemic which displays a more distinct division between the black and white area of color from its Indian Ocean counterpart.
By comparison, Chromis fieldi has a more curved delineation between the black and white coloration with the white color diffusing more into the anterior region of the dorsal fin.Chromisfieldialso differs in having a slightly higher count of pectoral fin rays and lateral line scales thanC. dimidiata.
If the fish pictured in the image above by diverBan Nadenlooks familiar, that is because the Chocolate-dipChromisfieldiis no stranger to the aquarium scene since it is sometimes imported from the Maldives and Indian Ocean. We are partial to the more pronounced coloration of the Red Sea Chromis dimidiata but since we have access to both species as well as the Pacific speciesChromisiomelas, marine aquarists can take their pick of which black and whiteChromisthey want swimming and schooling in their reef aquariums.
