Chalk bass, sel. stkg.   12/24/07
Hey crew!
<Mike>
I have a 55 gallon reef with around 60 lbs of rock that I was thinking about adding some chalk bass to.
<Some?>
At current I have 2 Ocellaris clowns, 2 green chromis, a Scopas tang
<Needs more room>
and a scooter blenny. Do you think that one, or even two would be pushing the limits?
<Two too likely... Serranus spp. are territorial...>
It is a show style tank so it is 4 feet long and 20 inches deep and offers a good amount of space to swim with plenty of rockwork for cover, though I more concerned about the biological limitations. your thoughts?
Thanks
Mike
<Think a four foot by one foot bottom is pushing it too much psychologically here. One specimen is all I'd place. Bob Fenner>

Mixing Basslet Species  - 1/6/06
I am considering adding Basslets to my current set-up.  My aquarium is a 75 gallon reef with 80lbs of live rock, live sand and numerous blue-legged hermits and algae-eating snails.  The only fish are a Royal Gramma, a Velvet Damsel, a Maroon Clown, and a Spotted Mandarin.  I also have several mushroom corals.  The set-up has been running for 9 months and all is well.  I am considering adding a group of Basslets; 2 Chalk Basslets and 1 Orange-back Basslet.  I actually have a few questions:
Would 3 new fish result in overcrowding? <Shouldn't> I assume it may be safer to add a group,<Yes> as the current fish are pretty aggressive to newcomers-I tried adding 2 green chromis recently which were treated pretty roughly until I removed them.  As far as compatibility goes can I mix the Chalk Basslets with the Orange-back or should I stick with just 1 species--I like them both. <As long as that Velvet Damsel is in the tank, there is always going to be some aggression toward newcomers.> Are either species compatible with the Royal Gramma?
Will the Basslets be too aggressive for the Mandarin? <Basslets seem to get along OK with others in the family.  Shouldn't bother the Mandarin but again, with that damsel?????>
Thank You! <You're welcome.  James (Salty Dog)>

Fish Jumped (6/13/05)
Hi there!! Great site! So far, your help has been more than appreciated! <Glad to be a part of this helpful venture. Steve Allen with you tonight.> There is my question. I had a Chalk Basslet, very active fish, great health, lots of personality and never afraid, no matter what happens! A few days ago, I left the glass cover opened for a few hours (my mistake, I know!) and the Chalk jumped out... <Sorry to hear. I've found a couple of missing fish dried up behind my tank months later myself.> I was wondering what could have made him jump out?? <Impossible to say. Spooked by something. Just happened to jump. Many possibilities.> Water quality is good, ammonia/nitrites: 0, nitrates: ranging from 10 to 20 ppm (little high...), sg: 1.025, temp.: +/-78F, water changes: every week, 5-7%... other fishes: ocellaris clown, royal Gramma (really peaceful, even with the chalk), yellowhead jawfish, 2 cleaner shrimps, 1 coral banded shrimp, lots of small inverts, soft and LPS corals... <All sounds fine.> I heard (or read, can't remember) that chalks don't jump out... <Any fish can jump. There is no such thing as a fish that "never" jumps, though some are certainly much more prone to do so than others.> Any idea of the reasons why he "committed suicide"?? <Again, absolutely no way to know. I'd say that anyone who has an open-top tank will eventually lose a fish.> Thank you very much!! If you need more details about my aquarium, please kept me know! Thanks!!
Ivan <Consider using a piece of that plastic egg-crate stuff from Home Depot to keep fish in while allowing good ventilation and access for feeding.>

- Chalk Bass Compatibility -
Hi there! I've been looking through your FAQs and info, and as far as I can understand, chalk basses are from the same family as royal grammas... 
<Yes, both basses [Serranidae] although in different genera.> <<Mmm, actually Grammas are in a separate family, Grammatidae... but these families are not very distally related. RMF>>
I have a well-established 32 gal reef tank with a chalk bass, green Chromis, ocellaris clown, firefish and a few inverts (shrimp, hermit, etc...) They are all really peaceful and seem to do greatly together. I also have LPS and soft corals... My question is, will it be OK if I put a Royal Gramma with these guys? 
<I'd recommend against it only because your tank is full, livestock wise... the fish would likely get along given more space but I think this will put your tank over the edge both socially and biologically.> Will there be any territoriality/species problems with my bass? (I love this guy!! so bright and beautiful colors, and lots of personality ;) Thanks a lot!!!  Ivan
<Cheers, J -- > 

- Chalk Bass in Groups? -
Dearest Crew:
I am looking into the Chalk Bass (Serranus tortugarum) for my 55 gallon.
My current setup is as follows:
1-False Percula Clown - (Amphiprion ocellaris)
1-Orchid Dottyback - (Pseudochromis fridmani)
1-Blenny (Salarias fasciatus or S. ceramensis)
4-mushrooms on 2 rocks
1-small polyp rock
3-small leathers
According to a marine fishes book I have, this fish is an excellent choice for the peaceful tank, and are best kept in groups.  Now, my questions:
First, do you believe this fish is best kept in groups? <Will do well either way.>
Second, is three (3) considered a group? <Sure.>
Third, can I fit three in my setup? <Three might be a crowd.>
Fourth, if not, would one alone fare okay? <I think so... one would probably be better in your setup.>
Thanks, Rich
<Cheers, J -- >

The Mysterious Chalk Bass
Hi. I'm a great fan of your site but after leafing through it for quite some time I noticed that there wasn't much written about the chalk Basslet. I've read that it can be kept in very small aquariums and I'm curious to know whether it would be compatible in my 25g fish/invert tank.
<Would be better, more suitably placed in something larger, I'd say a forty gallon minimum>
I've already got a pair of a. perculas, a neon goby and some small hermits/snails. I plan to add the Basslet and two skunk cleaner shrimp. Could everyone get along?
<The shrimp might be consumed during a molting incident by the bass>
Also, the pictures I have seen of this fish vary greatly...is the bright blue color more common or the pale pink with light blue stripes? I'd love to learn more about this fish, esp. from the experts. Many many thanks.
<This and other Serranus are quite variable in color... and changeable depending on circumstances (psychological/social as well as water quality, nutrition...), best to pick out one that is initially about what you like and "keep it happy". Bob Fenner>