Could I keep only one green chromis?

I am planning out my stocking for my future 40g reef and was wondering, is it okay to only have one green chromis? I don't have room for three. Is it worth a try or should I forget about it?

 

It is better to have 5 or 6 chromis. They are schooling fish. One chromis will probably be unhappy.

 

+1

I had a neighbor who bought me a green chromis for my birthday a couple years ago. He played the part of a survivor for a couple months, but finally became lethargic and refused food until he finally died. As beautiful as they are, I'll never own another unless I can get at least 5 or 6.

 

Ok thanks for the heads up

 

I have one.
He's been in my tank since day one. For some reason I cant get more to live. He was originally in a batch of three. Then I got 2 more a couple months ago and they died too. He's pretty happy.

 

They will be ok flying solo as long as tank mates are peaceful

 

+1 to this.

 

No doubt it can be done... fish are individuals, just like anything else. One can find the most peaceful from the worst family of rogues, and the worst rogues from a family of the most peaceful. It happens. However, I've even read that if 2 or 3 or 4 chromis are placed together, they'll go through a "pecking order" where the strongest pick on the weaker ones until only one is left, so based on my own experience as well as research results, if I can't have 5+, I won't bother at all. But that's just me.

 

I've had a few over the years.Never more than one at a time.I had one that seemed weak or sickly for several months before he passed,he always hid behind the heater and was by far the most timid one i've ever had.The others were nothing less than model citizens in my tanks.Very mild or no aggression.I wouldn't hesitate keeping a single chromis again.JM2C

 

Could be why I can't keep more than 1. I'm happy with him.