There are three new species of Chromis being
discovered from the Philippines coral ecosystem. Chromisgunting
was found in Batangas and Oriental Mindoro. Chromishangganan
was found around Lubang Island and Chromisbowesi
was found in Batangas. Collected at a depth of 75 to 150 meters which compared
to recreational scuba depth limit is twice or more. Species were collected
using hand nets or a Hawaiian sling.
Chromisgunting
Chromis gunting is only known from the Verde Island Passage, in Puerto Galera and Batangas. The name gunting means scissors that is because of its tail fin resembling to one. The body is silver with pinkish to the centre and brown towards the top to the dorsal fin. Collected at a depth 90 to 130 m.
Chromis gunting, (A) shortly after death, photograph LA Rocha. (B) preserved holotype, photograph JD Fong. (C) radiograph of holotype by JD Fong
Chromishangganan
Chromis hanggananknown from Lubang Island, Philippines. The name hangganan means border in reference to black margins of the dorsal and anal fins. Recorded at a depth of depths of 90–130 m.
Chromis bowesi was found in Verde Island, Puerto Galera Bay, and Batangas Bay. Collected at a depth of 80 and 120 m. It is being named bowesi in the honor of the late William K Bowes Jr, lead donor of the Hope for Reefs initiative.
Chromis bowesi, (A) shortly after death, photograph LA Rocha. (B) preserved specimen, photograph JD Fong. (C) radiograph JD Fong
There is much more to the above new Chromis. So, you can certainly read more at ZooKeys.
Like always it's my day one in the hobby. Always been a hobbyist but never knew would dive so deep in the hobby. I too started with a freshwater aquarium. When I first started saltwater aquarium it just grew on me and I knew that had to do more in this hobby. I am a Post-Grad in Business Administration have worked with Coldstar Logistics, Amazon and Jindal's before jumping completely in the ocean. Other than aquarium hobby I have my interests in travel, digital games and consumer web technology.
