Pale Tail Chromis

Description: This species exhibit color variation with size and location. Juveniles are slate gray to a brilliant metallic blue with a bright orange-yellow tail. Adults are dark gray to black, and in most areas have a white tail (Ref. 1602). Body depth 2.1-2.3 in SL (Ref. 90102).

Oviparous, distinct pairing during breeding (Ref. 205). Eggs are demersal and adhere to the substrate (Ref. 205). Males guard and aerate the eggs (Ref. 205).

Dorsal spines (total): 13; Dorsal soft rays (total): 10 - 11; Analspines: 2; Analsoft rays: 9 - 10

Found in steep outer reef slopes, sometimes forming large aggregations feeding on zooplankton several meters above the bottom. Juveniles remain close to shelter. Nest in small patches of loose sand under ledges or at the base of slopes (Ref. 9710). Diurnal species (Ref. 54980; 113699).

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).

aquarium: commercial

分布於印度-太平洋區， 西起東印度洋中的馬爾地夫、聖誕島及澳洲西北部的外海礁石，東至大洋洲的島嶼 (除了夏威夷群島) ，北至日本與台灣。台灣主要分布於南部、蘭嶼等海域。

中小型之雀鯛，可食用，一般不為漁獲對象魚。有人將其作觀賞魚之用。

體呈橢圓形而側扁，標準體長為體高之2.1-2.3倍。眼中大，上側位。口小，上頜骨末端僅及眼前緣；齒細小，圓錐狀。眶下骨裸出；前鰓蓋骨後緣平滑。體被大櫛鱗；側線之有孔鱗片16-19個。背鰭單一，軟條部略延長而呈尖形，硬棘XIII，軟條 10-11；臀鰭硬棘II，軟條11-12；胸鰭鰭條18-20；尾鰭叉形，上下葉末端呈尖形，各具3條硬棘狀鰭條。體色隨著體型大小與棲地不同而有變化。稚魚體呈暗藍灰色至色彩豔麗的鐵藍色；尾鰭鮮橘黃色。成魚體呈深灰色至黑色；尾鰭大半的區域為白色或黃褐色。前鰓蓋及鰓蓋皆具暗褐色之後緣；胸鰭基部具黑斑。

主要棲息於陡峭的外礁斜坡與淺水域的海岸礁石平臺， 有時形成大的群集在底部上面的數公尺處捕食浮游動物。稚魚則保持活動於庇護所附近。 築巢在岩架下方或在斜坡的基部下鬆散的砂地上。

Chromis xanthura is a species of damselfish found in the Pacific Ocean.

It occasionally makes its way into the aquarium trade.