Chalk Bass (Serranus Tortugarum)
Also Known As: Chalk Basslet
Compatibility and Behavior The Chalk Bass is a small Caribbean basslet that wins people over with subtlety rather than flash. The body shows a soft, chalky lavender base overlaid with striking, tiger-like light blue vertial stripes across its body. While it is a tiny species, these colors really come alive under reef lighting in a way that surprises a lot of hobbyists. This is a peaceful species and one of the genuinely hardy options out there. It can often be kept in small loose groups when introduced together to a roomy, well-structured tank, though a mild pecking order tends to develop over time. It's considered reef safe and typically ignores corals and clams, and it usually coexists well with other small, non-aggressive community fish. Over time, Chalk Bass become confident and visible residents, hovering around the rock formations and darting out to grab food with quick, precise strikes.
Aquarium Requirements Chalk Bass do well in smaller to medium-sized, mature reef or FOWLR aquariums with plenty of live rock arranged into caves, crevices, and ledges for security. A mix of open swimming space and broken sightlines is the right combination, especially if more than one is kept, since broken sightlines help reduce any intra-species squabbling. Moderate flow and stable water conditions suit them well, and they adapt to a wide range of lighting setups without much fuss. They're deliberate but enthusiastic feeders, so peaceful communities where they aren't badly outcompeted at meal time work best. Offer a varied carnivorous diet of frozen mysis shrimp, finely chopped seafood, enriched brine, and quality marine pellets or frozen blends to keep them robust, colorful, and active in the water column.
Specifications
Approximate Size: .75-1.5"
Diet: Carnivore
Origin: Western Atlantic/Caribbean reef habitats
Care Level: Easy
Reef Safe: Yes
Temperament: Peaceful
Minimum Tank Size: 30 gallons for a single or pair; larger for groups
Special Considerations: Small loose groups can work if introduced together to a roomy, well-structured tank; rockwork with broken sightlines helps minimize squabbling among conspecifics
Pairs well with
If you have any questions, you are always welcome to contact us. We look forward to hearing from you!
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Shipping Information
- Our shipping days are Monday-Thursday. Orders will be shipped overnight on the soonest possible shipping day, unless you request to hold the order for up to one business day.
- Your order will ship same-day if placed before 12:30 PM PST on a shipping day.
- Orders placed after 12:30 PM PST will ship on the next shipping day.
- Stay tuned to our Announcement Bar (black bar at the top of every page) for important shipping announcements...we may reach our max limit of orders we can ship on Mondays.
- If it is very hot, very cold, or if you live in a rural area, ship to a UPS Access Point to save your livestock from hours of exposure to the elements. Click here to see how.
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FAQ’s
When will you ship my order?
We will ship on the soonest possible shipping day. Our shipping days are Monday-Thursday, and we ship same-day if the order is placed before 12:30 PM PST (unless announced otherwise). For example, if ordering at 1 PM on Thursday, your order will ship the following Monday.
Can you hold my order until next week?
Unfortunately not. We can hold items for up to one business day before shipping. We restock weekly, so chances are good we will receive more by next week!
When is the best time to order?
Saturdays and Sundays are the absolute best time to order, followed by Wednesday evenings. The closer you order to an inventory update, the better the available inventory.
What happens if something I ordered is unavailable?
We will email you to request a substitution. If you would like your original order, chances are good that it will be available to ship within the week (unless it is a very rare item).
Can I modify my order once it has been placed?
This is possible, but not guaranteed. Please email us if you need to modify your order or shipping address, and we will gladly make the changes for you, or let you know if it is too late.
What should I do if UPS is unreliable in my area?
We recommend shipping to a UPS Access Point, as packages get delivered there first before trucks go on residential deliveries. Click here to see how.
What salinity do you ship at?
Salinity for fish is 1.018-9. Salinity for inverts is 1.024-5.
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Contact Us
Send us an email at sales@reefbeauties.com and we will get back to you shortly.
We do not offer phone calls. We handle our inquiries with timely emails to ensure a qualified and high-quality response, to have all conversations on record, and to avoid miscommunications that can occur over the phone.
Free shipping on orders over $199!
FAQs
Frequently Asked Questions
When will you ship my order?
We will ship on the soonest possible shipping day. Our shipping days are Monday-Thursday, and we ship same-day if the order is placed before 12:30 PM PST (unless announced otherwise). For example, if ordering at 1 PM on Thursday, your order will ship the following Monday.
Can you hold my order until next week?
Unfortunately not. We can hold items for up to one business day before shipping. We restock weekly, so chances are good we will receive more by next week!
When is the best time to order?
Saturdays and Sundays are the absolute best time to order, followed by Wednesday evenings. The closer you order to an inventory update, the better the available inventory.
What happens if something I ordered is unavailable?
We will email you to request a substitution. If you would like your original order, chances are good that it will be available to ship within the week (unless it is a very rare item).
Can I modify my order once it has been placed?
This is possible, but not guaranteed. Please email us if you need to modify your order or shipping address, and we will gladly make the changes for you, or let you know if it is too late.
What should I do if FedEx is unreliable in my area?
We recommend shipping to a FedEx Ship Center, as packages get delivered there first before trucks go on residential deliveries. Click here to see how.
What salinity do you ship at?
Salinity for fish is 1.018-9. Salinity for inverts is 1.024-5.