Chalk Basslets

[Genera]

Will a small group of chalk basslets eat sponges, macroalgae, inverts (namely very small shrimp <1"), or other things that aren't fish that are typically in a reef tank? Thank you

 

[moriarty]

Great fish!! Definitely one of my all time favorites. To answer your question, sponges, macro, corals, anemones, etc... are all fine, but small shrimp likely won't last too long.

 

[Genera]

Great fish!! Definitely one of my all time favorites. To answer your question, sponges, macro, corals, anemones, etc... are all fine, but small shrimp likely won't last too long.

Good news! And a bit of bad news! Would the genus Lysmata be eaten?

 

[moriarty]

I've kept chalk bass with Lysmata amboinensis and L. debelius without issue, however they were a fairly good size relative to the fish. Have never personally kept L. wurdemanni with chalk bass, but would think they would be fine as long as the shrimp aren't super tiny.

To improve your chances, add the shrimp first and allow them a bit of time to settle in before adding the fish.

 

[ca1ore]

Never had any issue with any of the chalkies I've had, and I've had dozens over the years. One of my favorite fish. They are jumpers, however, so take proper precautions. Also, if they are happy, they get a bit bigger than people think (my current trio are approaching 3").

 

[Reef Frog]

Yes they do get big. A LFS has one that was given to them by someone who couldn't keep it any longer for some reason. It's huge. I only looked at for a few moments, but I think this one was at least 5"-6" long. LA lists adult size at 3". I hope to stop by this weekend and hope to get a pic if it's still there. Trust me, I wasn't hallucinating and know aquariums can distort the size of things.

 

[CStrickland]

Mine ate a 3/4" randalli pistol shrimp the other day. I saw him barf up the tail and eat it again. The shrimp was new to the tank and had been injured in transit though, so he really should have stayed in his burrow. Anyway, the chalk is an awesome fish with a lot of personality, he really looked proud of himself for catching that shrimp always swimming up to the glass to check out the world, and pretty hardy to boot.

 

[Reef Frog]

Reef frog - did the 5-6" chalk look nice? I've wanted one of these fish and I think they look nice when small. Was it the same pattern just bigger or do they change?

Yes the rish looked nice. Coloration and pattern was equivalent to the small juveniles you see for sale, IMO. The blue iridescence was noticeable.