The Orange Chromide is a peaceful, medium-sized cichlid native to southern India and Sri Lanka. Uniquely, it is one of the very few cichlid species naturally found in estuaries and brackish lagoons. While they can adapt to hard freshwater, they thrive and display their best colors in slightly brackish water. They are social shoalers when young, forming strong, territorial pairs to breed and care for their fry.
Orange Chromide At a Glance
Orange Chromide Tank Requirements
Will Orange Chromide fit in your tank?
Care guides tell you what Orange Chromide needs, the next question is whether your tank can safely provide it. Test Orange Chromide against your tank size, maintenance needs, and the fish you already keep before you buy.
Orange Chromide Water Parameters
Orange Chromide Temperament & Compatibility
Orange Chromide Varieties
Each variety inherits the species defaults above. Only differences are highlighted.
Standard / Gold Morph
The standard variety available in the hobby, including captive-bred color enhancing morphs. They should be kept in small groups (4-6) to diffuse any aggression and encourage natural shoaling behavior. Provide plenty of visual barriers like smooth stones and driftwood roots.
Differs in 1 trait from base species
Also known as: Wild Type, Gold Chromide
Orange Chromide Care Guide Summary
The Orange Chromide, scientifically known as Etroplus maculatus, belongs to the Other family group. Adults reach a maximum size of approximately 8 cm and have a compressed body shape with a moderate growth rate. Classified as mostly peaceful, this species primarily occupies the mid-level and bottom zones of the aquarium and produces a medium level of biological waste.
To thrive, the Orange Chromide requires a brackish tolerant aquarium with a minimum volume of 80 litres and a tank length of at least 60 cm. Water temperature should be maintained between 23°C and 28°C, with a pH range of 7–8.5 and a general hardness of 8–20 dGH. A low water flow is preferred.
Due to its specialist needs, the Orange Chromide is best suited for fishkeepers who can provide a carefully planned setup. The Orange Chromide is typically available in one standard form.
Orange Chromide Habitat Setup
When setting up an aquarium for the Orange Chromide, a low water flow best suits their natural preferences. Because this species occupies the mid-level and bottom zones, the aquarium layout should prioritise open swimming space in the centre of the tank for free movement and sufficient floor space with hiding spots among rocks, wood, or dense planting. Useful additions include a sand substrate to accommodate their sifting behaviour, smooth gravel or rounded substrate to protect their sensitive barbels, and driftwood, which can serve as both a hiding place and a dietary supplement.
Orange Chromide Compatibility Notes
Classified as mostly peaceful, the Orange Chromide is a social species that requires the company of its own kind to thrive. When choosing tankmates, territorial behaviour may cause issues if hiding spots or floor space are limited and their energetic swimming style may stress more sedentary or timid species. Selecting tankmates that favour different water layers from the mid-level and bottom zones can help reduce competition and territorial overlap.
Who Orange Chromide Is Actually For
Orange Chromide is best for a fishkeeper who wants a species that can settle into a calmer community setup and can provide a keeper who can commit to a proper group of at least 4. It makes the most sense for a hobbyist who will actually build around its needs, especially sand.
The most common mistake is treating Orange Chromide like any other community fish and skipping the soft sand it needs to forage safely. Another frequent problem is underestimating its social needs. A token pair or trio often behaves very differently from a real group.
Orange Chromide Recommended Tank Sizes
Standard aquarium sizes that meet the minimum volume and length requirements for Orange Chromide.
29 Gallon Standard
30 Gallon Breeder
36 Gallon Bowfront
40 Gallon Breeder
55 Gallon Standard
60 Gallon Breeder
Show 15 more tank sizes
Frequently Asked Questions About Orange Chromide
How big does Orange Chromide get?
Orange Chromide (Etroplus maculatus) typically reaches a maximum adult size of approximately 8 cm. They have a compressed body shape and a moderate growth rate.
What tank size does Orange Chromide need?
A minimum aquarium volume of 80 litres and a tank length of at least 60 cm are recommended for Orange Chromide. This ensures enough swimming space and helps maintain stable water conditions.
What water parameters does Orange Chromide need?
Orange Chromide thrives in brackish tolerant conditions with a temperature range of 23–28°C, a pH between 7 and 8.5, and a general hardness of 8–20 dGH. A low water flow is preferred.
Is Orange Chromide peaceful or aggressive?
Orange Chromide is classified as mostly peaceful with an aggression score of 4 out of 10. They are generally well-suited to peaceful community tanks.
Can Orange Chromide live alone?
No, Orange Chromide should be kept in groups of at least 4 to reduce stress and encourage natural behaviour.
Does Orange Chromide have any special tank requirements?
Yes. Orange Chromide benefits from sand (sifters), smooth gravel (sensitive barbels), and driftwood (digestion/hiding) in the aquarium. These features help replicate their natural habitat and promote overall health and well-being.
Useful setup supplies
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Guidarium Editorial Desk
Reviewed against Guidarium care, stocking, and compatibility standards. Read the editorial policy.
- Last reviewed
- May 7, 2026
- Last updated
- May 7, 2026
- Issues or corrections?
- Contact the editorial team
Top Tank Mates for Orange Chromide
These fish are strong compatibility matches for Orange Chromide based on water preferences, temperament, adult size, and tank behavior.
Celebes Halfbeak
Nomorhamphus liemi
Ideal Tank MatesWrestling Halfbeak
Dermogenys pusilla
Ideal Tank MatesJapanese Ricefish (Medaka)
Oryzias latipes
Ideal Tank MatesKabia rainbowfish
Glossolepis kabia
Ideal Tank MatesRummynose Rasbora
Sawbwa resplendens
Ideal Tank MatesSunset Platy (Variatus Platy)
Xiphophorus variatus
Ideal Tank MatesPlants That Suit Orange Chromide
These plants pair well with Orange Chromide based on shared water preferences, layout fit, and how likely they are to hold up in the same aquarium.
Amazon Frogbit
Limnobium laevigatum
Asian Watergrass
Hygroryza aristata
Asian Watermoss
Salvinia cucullata
Banana Plant
Nymphoides aquatica
Beckett's Water Trumpet
Cryptocoryne beckettii
Broad-leaved Crypt
Cryptocoryne pontederiifolia
Fish Similar to Orange Chromide
Rainbow Cichlid
Herotilapia multispinosa
Widely regarded as one of the most peaceful and beginner-friendly Central American cichlids. They are known for their vibrant gold, orange, and black coloration which intensifies during breeding. In the wild, they inhabit muddy, slow-moving waters and have specialized teeth for grazing on algae. While peaceful for a cichlid, they become aggressively territorial when spawning and their herbivorous diet means they will happily consume soft-leaved aquarium plants.
Banded Chromide
Etroplus suratensis
The Banded Chromide (or Pearlspot) is a massive, laterally compressed cichlid native to the fresh and brackish estuaries of Southern India and Sri Lanka. Known for its striking greenish-grey body covered in pearly white spots, it is an impressive display fish. They are euryhaline and thrive in hard, alkaline freshwater or brackish setups. As primarily herbivorous grazers and substrate sifters, they will consume soft aquatic plants and require plenty of swimming space.
Lemon Cichlid (Leleupi)
Neolamprologus leleupi
A striking, torpedo-shaped cichlid endemic to the rocky shores of Lake Tanganyika. Famous for its intense yellow or orange coloration. They are highly territorial cave-dwellers that require hard, alkaline water. Due to their aggression toward their own kind, they are best kept as a solitary specimen or a confirmed breeding pair.
Apistogramma Orange-tail
Apistogramma cf. eunotus "Orange-tail"
A beautiful South American dwarf cichlid known for its personality and stunning coloration. They are micropredators that naturally inhabit slow-moving tributaries with sandy bottoms and leaf litter. While generally peaceful towards non-cichlid tank mates (like tetras and pencilfish), they are highly territorial among their own kind and will readily hunt dwarf shrimp.
Red Fin Caudopunk
Neolamprologus caudopunctatus
A small, spirited cichlid native to the transitional rocky-sandy shores of Lake Tanganyika. Recognizable by its pearly body, iridescent blue eyes, and striking orange/red dorsal fin margin. They are versatile breeders, utilizing both rock crevices and empty snail shells. While relatively peaceful for Tanganyikan cichlids, they fiercely defend their territory when spawning.
Yellow Acara
Aequidens metae
A medium-sized, relatively peaceful South American cichlid native to the Meta River basin. They possess a yellowish-brown body with distinct dark vertical barring and iridescent spangling. While less aggressive than many other cichlids, they are territorial, especially during spawning, and will readily consume fish small enough to fit in their mouths.