Chromis xanthura (Bleeker, 1854)
Paletail chromis
photo by Randall, J.E.

Family:  Pomacentridae (Damselfishes), subfamily: Chrominae
Max. size:  17 cm TL (male/unsexed)
Environment:  reef-associated; marine; depth range 0 - 40 m, non-migratory
Distribution:  Western Pacific: widespread, from southern Japan to Australia and Tonga; no records from Hawaii nor French Polynesia. Replaced by Chromis opercularis in the Indian Ocean (Ref. 129596).
Diagnosis:  Dorsal spines (total): 13-13; Dorsal soft rays (total): 10-11; Anal spines: 2-2; Anal soft rays: 10-11. This species is distinguished by the following set of characters: D XIII,10-11(mode 11); A II,10-11 (11); pectoral-fin rays 18-20 (19); upper and lower procurrent caudal-fin rays 3; pored lateral-line scales 17-18 (18); gill rakers 6-8 (7) + 19-22 (21) = 26-30 (28); longest dorsal-fin soft ray length 24.6-36.4% (mean 29.4%) of SL; first anal-fin spine length 6.5-8.4% (7.1%) of SL; caudal-fin length 43.9-59.8% (48.6%) of SL; posterior tips of caudal-fin lobes are filamentous; broad black bands along the preopercular and opercular margins, sum width of two bands 15.3-27.9% (23.6%) of head length; distal half of soft-rayed portion of the dorsal fin is transparent in adults; upper or lower caudal-fin base no triangular black blotches; caudal peduncle and fin are tinged with yellow; soft-rayed portions of dorsal and anal fins are yellowish, with spinous portion of dorsal and pelvic fins dark blue in juveniles (Ref. 129596).
Biology:  Adults are found in steep outer reef slopes and shallow coastal reef flats, sometimes forming large aggregations feeding on zooplankton several meters above the bottom. Juveniles remain close to shelter. Oviparous, distinct pairing during breeding (Ref. 205). Eggs are demersal and adhere to the substrate (Ref. 205). Nests are found in small patches of loose sand under ledges or at the base of slopes (Ref. 9710). Males guard and aerate the eggs (Ref. 205). Diurnal species (Ref. 54980; 113699). Minimum depth reported taken from Ref. 128797.
IUCN Red List Status: Least Concern (LC); Date assessed: 03 February 2021 Ref. (130435)
Threat to humans:  harmless
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