Chalk Bass - Good choice that's often overlooked

[sixty4tw]

Hi,

I just wanted to create some more awareness about Serranus tortugarum, The Atlantic Chalk Bass.

I had been doing a lot a research looking for a peaceful addition to my 29g Hex FOWLR tank and this was my final choice. I had only an Ocellaris Clown and a Yellow Watchman Goby. Others I considered but decided against were the Six-Line or Four-Line Wrasse (too aggressive as they mature), Possum Wrasse (too shy and reclusive), various smaller Flasher Wrasses (not available locally although I will consider one as my last fish in this DT), even one of the supposed "peaceful" psuedochromis (Fridmani, Sankey's, Indigo) because I like that they are tank-bred (but still a Dottyback after all). I came across the not so well-known Chalk Bass and found only good things. Probably the closest comparison in terms of temperment would be to a Royal Gramma. Some of the older descriptions I found recommended adding them only in groups but more recent articles simply state that they can be kept in groups if added at the same time. So I guess I will see how it works out having a single specimen. They are not known to school necessarily. Here is a link to a very recent and well-written article you may find useful:

http://www.tfhmagazine.com/saltwate...alk-bass-serranus-tortugarum-full-article.htm

My sense is that the Chalk Bass is more commonly available in the East and Midwest (since it is an Atlantic species) but I did see them available online at Blue Zoo and I think LA carries them at times. Fortunately for me a LFS here in Chicago had a few in stock (Old Town Aqaurium). And considering they have a reputation for being a bit pricey this guy was very fairly priced at $28.00. I have to say, I really love this fish...

After QT he (or she...they are true hermaphrodites) settled in very quickly. Like many similar species they have been know to be jumpers so even though my tank is covered I made sure I had no small gaps anywhere just in case. They do require some areas of refuge at first and I was able to provide a nice overhang and cave of sorts with live rock. They do often dart back into these areas but after only a day or two he was spending most of his time in open water. They are very active and inquisitive fish, checking out all areas of the tank and hovering in the water column at times. He is indeed a model citizen, very peaceful. He tolerates my Clownfish "following him around" everywhere (never really any actual chasing going on) and is quick enough to deal with the Yellow Watchman Goby occasionally lunging at him when he gets too close to his turf and network of caves along the bottom areas of the tank (my YWG is VERY territorial). I don't think this fish would get bullied by anything other than a very aggressive fish. Seems to take it in stride. They are very friendly and a pleasure to watch. Mine quickly became accustomed to my presence and will swim right up to the front of the tank whenever I get close.

I highly recommend them in the right situation. They are very hardy, very colorful, and have lots of personality. Those are all important qualities to me.

Thanks for reading! If anyone has had experience with them I would love to hear your comments...

 

[Tat2demon]

I agree 100% They are wonderful fish that many people have never considered.

I had three in my 75 before all my fish got wiped out. I plan on getting a decent group of them (8-10) when I get my 240 finished.

 

[MIKE NY]

great choice for a reef except they will outgrow your 29 and some of it's tank mates will be on the menu....they are a nice peaceful fish especially when small, but they do gow large....I had a breeding pair that grew to about 6-7". The male was beautiful in breeding dress with his orange hue and the female was larger and the same coloration as it did when it was small. They become less active when adults and will spend all day in a cave or dig a hole in the sand under the rocks except for feeding time in which they will eat anything they can fit in their mouths...small fish, shrimps etc.. They are "reef safe" only in the fact they won't bother corals. They really became active when the main lights went off and they started their courting ritual under the actinics splashing and chasing at the surface followed by an egg release with a feeding frenzy from all the other fish....
BTW ..theya re jumpers. I lost the female to carpet surfing when she squeezed through the return lin hole in the canopy.....the male was never the same only eating once in awhile and died a month later....

 

[clowntriggerfis]

Wow 6-7in I heard they only grow to 3in.

 

[MIKE NY]

I thought so too...when people came over they thought the female was a cow striped bass with it's large stomach.....LOL

 

[small alien]

I had no idea they got so large. I also thought 3". I like the tobacco basslet even better. Great reporting, op. Thanks for sharing.

 

[AlexS95]

Both LA and Scott Michael's book say 3"... Are you sure your talking about the right fish Mike?

 

[Wolverine]

Great fish. I've also never seen them anywhere near 6".

 

[Lorenz725]

I love mine i also did not know the got that big.

 

[MIKE NY]

yup they were chalkies....I had alot of pics and put up a thread in the LIRA forum a couple of years ago of them breeding, but after I lost them I deleted the pics. There are a few guys in my club who saw them when they were about 5"s...I fed them silversides and whole krill.

 

[sixty4tw]

great choice for a reef except they will outgrow your 29 and some of it's tank mates will be on the menu....they are a nice peaceful fish especially when small, but they do gow large....I had a breeding pair that grew to about 6-7". ..

Yeah, not at all trying to disrespect a 20 yr reefkeeper, but are you sure you're talking about a Chalk Bass? I found many articles and dozens of forums and none of them ever stated them getting larger than 3" - 4". Also, one of the people I really trust (25+ years in the hobby) said he had one that lived for about 6 years and only grew to about 3 1/2". I know that other similar species do get larger; Tobacco Bass -7", Lantern Bass - 6".

I found a few things that were several years old that also referred to the Tobacco Bass as a Chalk Bass. Also, I have never seen one with Orange hue. You mentioned that you had a breeding pair with an emphasis on the male, etc. I'm a bit confused by this because most of the research I did speaks of them as hermaphrodites where there is no clear difference between the sexes. In fact, they seem to be able to "take turns" producing eggs.

Here is a thread from the Marine Ornamental Fish & Invert Breeders Association:

http://www.marinebreeder.org/forums/viewtopic.php?t=1276

Again, I'm not doubting you. But If you are correct, then 99% of the info out there is wrong.

As to the jumping. I've heard that some people have lost fish (all kinds) through very small gaps in the canopy. That is really unfortunate. I made sure I had no gaps large enough for them to get through. As to the people who lose fish to jumping and have open tanks...I don't get it.

 

[sixty4tw]

hey Small Alien,

just curious...how are you liking your:

Tanaka's Possum Wrasse
Greenbanded Goby


Both fish that I have some interest in!

 

[MIKE NY]

maybe a very simular species, but they where sold to me as Chalks ...I should have saved some pics...they both looked like yours when they were smaller 2-3" but then the male grew longer and thinner developing longer spikes from the rear of the gill plates and the orange tint over his face and gill plates with some going down the sides. The female was about the same length, but with a much larger girth and the same coloration as when it was smaller.

 

[Gangous]

I think I saw the male in ur tank mike and he was much larger then 3" I bought one because I liked urs so much got him as a baby he's 4" at least now

 

[sixty4tw]

Would love to hear from any RC members who kept one for at least five years and what size they grew to...

 

[small alien]

hey Small Alien,

just curious...how are you liking your:

Tanaka's Possum Wrasse
Greenbanded Goby


Both fish that I have some interest in!

I see the Tanaka's possum about 5 minutes a day but I love that fish and the bioload is low. The green banded goby I see about once a week. It is very pretty and one I had previously was out more. So, both for me are beautiful and peaceful and easy to keep but rather cryptic. Honestly, about half my fish I almost never see. :hmm4:

 

[natebedwell06]

I have 8 chalk basslets in my 150, awesome fish, always out

 

[small alien]

Any pics of your group. I'm sure we'd all love to see them.

 

[jr973]

Great thread I totally agree with the OP I had a Chalk Bass when I first started reefing but when I broke down I gave him away because I had bullies and this fish just isn't a fighter but more of a lover so with that said he went into my buddies 120 which at the time had no bullies I totally love this fish and would definetly recommend him to any reefer. Matter of fact I think he will be 1 of my fish going into my new upgrade

 

[scar79]

Another thumbs up for the Chalk Basslet! Great little fish with a cool personality. In my experience they pick an area and stick to it. They won't swim around the whole tank, but they won't hide either - they just relax in their little area. Chill little dudes!