Care Level: Easy
Temperament: Peaceful
Reef Compatible: Yes
General Description: The Chalk Bass is one of the smaller bass within this family, and is a great fish for beginners. The body is rusty-orange in color with a purple mid-section. Electric blue vertical bands, which add to their appeal, accentuate these fish Native to the western Atlantic ocean, ranging from the Bahamas and southern Florida, throughout the Caribbean and along the mainland coast from southern Mexico to Venezuela. They typically reach an adult length of 3 inches.
Diet Requirements: In the wild Chalk bass feed on zooplankton, although larger fish have been recorded feeding on small crustaceans which they swallowed whole. Chalk Bass require an aquarium diet consisting of a variety of chopped meaty items, vitamin enriched brine and mysis shrimp and marine flake and pellet foods.
Care Requirements: A 30-gallon aquarium, with plenty of live rock for hiding, is ideal for the Chalk bass. They are generally peaceful, and multiple specimens can be added to the aquarium, as long as it is at the same time. They will not pick at corals or sessile invertebrates, and are a great fish for the reef aquarium. Larger specimens may attack small shrimps if they might fit in the Bass’s mouth. Recommended water conditions, 72-78° F, KH 8-12, pH 8.1-8.4, salinity 1.020-1.025.
Purchase size: Small: 1″ to 1-3/4″; Medium: 2″ to 2-3/4″Â
Note: Your item may not look identical to the image provided due to variation within species. Purchase size is approximate.Â