Description

The green chromide (Etroplus suratensis) is a species of cichlid fish that is native to fresh and brackish water habitats in some parts in India such as Kerala, Goa, Chilika Lake in Odisha, and Sri Lanka. The species was first described by Marcus Elieser Bloch in 1790. Other common names include pearlspot cichlid, banded pearlspot, and striped chromide. In Kerala, it is known locally as the karimeen . It has been introduced in various parts of the world outside its native range, including Singapore, where it occurs in estuaries. This species and other members of the genus Etroplus are relatively closely related to the Paretroplus cichlids from Madagaskar.

Characteristics:

The adult is oval in shape with a short snout. It is grey green with dark barring and a dark spot at the base of the pectoral fin. It commonly reaches 20 cm (8 in) in length, and the maximum length is twice that. The body is marked with six to eight transverse bars which may at times, be indistinct. Each scale has a golden spot and the fins are body-colored. The anal fins may have some blue iridescence. At spawning times, all the colors are enhanced, making the normal dull-coloring look more impressive. Size/Length: To 18" (46 cm) in nature, although not larger than 12" (30 cm) in aquaria.

Habitat:

The green chromide lives in brackish water habitat types, such as river deltas. It eats mainly aquatic plants, including filamentous algae and diatoms, but it consumes the occasional mollusk and other animal matter. This species engages in attentive parental care in which several adults care for each brood.