Chalceus Questions

[the_evil_duboisi]

Hi I was just wondering(Because I can't put anything into action yet) What the minimum tank size is for a group(Say about 6) Could a 4 foot 75 gallon work?

And also what kind of fish can be kept with them. Could some of the mildly aggresive oddballs like polypterus, mogurnda mogurnda, clown loaches and(Perhaps) BPs be okay with them? Because from what I understand, they aren't mindless killers.

There doesn't seem to be much info on this beautiful fish....May I humbly suggest that TFF perhaps make a caresheet or something on them? Because I'm sure there are some people how appreciate them but can't find enough info....

Ted

 

[invader]

Imo, the tank needs to be longer than 4ft, as they can be skittish and dash around the tank. A 6ft would work much better.

Andywg has had a group of them for as long as I can remember, so he may be the best to ask about a care sheet and more specific information.

 

[andywg]

As noted above, I have kept a group for some years now. I would not want them to be in anything smaller than 6 feet in length after they get to 3-4". These fish make bala sharks appear calm and docile. Something as simple as a chalceus moving can set off a mass exodus into the other end of the tank, often literally into the glass, even when kept in a 6x2x2.

Chalceus will not bother many other fish as they tend to keep to the top of the aquarium, though considering how skittish they are, you don't want anything too aggressive in with them. In my experience Chalceus macrolepidotus (pointier snout and with pink anal and pelvic fins) is a bit more aggressive to other Chalceus and tends to stay smaller with more colour on the flanks while C. erythrurus (blunter snout with yellow anal and pelvic fins) are more chilled out and tend to grow larger.