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Chalk Bass
Basslet

Chalk Bass

Serranus tortugarum

A hardy, lavender-and-orange dwarf bass that breaks the usual solitary-Serranus rule — it can be kept as a peaceful small shoal of 3–6 if they are all added at once. It is one of the toughest, most disease-resistant beginner reef fish and eats almost anything. The only cautions are that it is an accomplished jumper (needs a lid) and a larger individual may pick off a very small ornamental shrimp.

Temperament
Peaceful
Max size
3.1"
Min tank
30 gal
Reef-safe
Reef safe
Diet
Planktivore
Zone
Mid-water, Bottom, Open water
Best in a group of 3+.
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Tankmates

How Chalk Bass gets on with the rest of the reef, checked pair by pair by the same engine as the live pre-flight.

Best kept apart

A real clash — aggression, predation or a same-genus fight.

Maroon ClownfishMaroon Clownfish (aggressive) is much larger than the peaceful Chalk Bass and may harass it.Purple TangPurple Tang (aggressive) is much larger than the peaceful Chalk Bass and may harass it.Antennata LionfishAntennata Lionfish has a big enough mouth to eat the much smaller Chalk Bass.Picasso TriggerfishPicasso Triggerfish (aggressive) is much larger than the peaceful Chalk Bass and may harass it.Domino DamselDomino Damsel (aggressive) is much larger than the peaceful Chalk Bass and may harass it.Marine BettaMarine Betta has a big enough mouth to eat the much smaller Chalk Bass.Dragon WrasseDragon Wrasse has a big enough mouth to eat the much smaller Chalk Bass.Volitans LionfishVolitans Lionfish has a big enough mouth to eat the much smaller Chalk Bass.Snowflake MoraySnowflake Moray has a big enough mouth to eat the much smaller Chalk Bass.Zebra MorayZebra Moray has a big enough mouth to eat the much smaller Chalk Bass.Chainlink MorayChainlink Moray has a big enough mouth to eat the much smaller Chalk Bass.Golden Dwarf MorayGolden Dwarf Moray has a big enough mouth to eat the much smaller Chalk Bass.Rectangle TriggerfishRectangle Triggerfish (aggressive) is much larger than the peaceful Chalk Bass and may harass it.Clown TriggerfishClown Triggerfish (aggressive) is much larger than the peaceful Chalk Bass and may harass it.Miniata GrouperMiniata Grouper (aggressive) is much larger than the peaceful Chalk Bass and may harass it.Panther GrouperPanther Grouper (aggressive) is much larger than the peaceful Chalk Bass and may harass it.Six-Line SoapfishSix-Line Soapfish has a big enough mouth to eat the much smaller Chalk Bass.Painted FrogfishPainted Frogfish has a big enough mouth to eat the much smaller Chalk Bass.Dogface PufferDogface Puffer has a big enough mouth to eat the much smaller Chalk Bass.Porcupine PufferPorcupine Puffer has a big enough mouth to eat the much smaller Chalk Bass.

Keep an eye on these

Usually fine, but worth watching in a smaller tank.

Sailfin TangSailfin Tang (semi-aggressive) is much larger than the peaceful Chalk Bass and may harass it.Red Coris WrasseRed Coris Wrasse (semi-aggressive) is much larger than the peaceful Chalk Bass and may harass it.Convict TangConvict Tang (semi-aggressive) is much larger than the peaceful Chalk Bass and may harass it.Emperor AngelfishEmperor Angelfish (semi-aggressive) is much larger than the peaceful Chalk Bass and may harass it.Regal AngelfishRegal Angelfish (semi-aggressive) is much larger than the peaceful Chalk Bass and may harass it.Achilles TangAchilles Tang (semi-aggressive) is much larger than the peaceful Chalk Bass and may harass it.Naso TangNaso Tang (semi-aggressive) is much larger than the peaceful Chalk Bass and may harass it.Scopas TangScopas Tang (semi-aggressive) is much larger than the peaceful Chalk Bass and may harass it.Queen AngelfishQueen Angelfish (semi-aggressive) is much larger than the peaceful Chalk Bass and may harass it.Blueface AngelfishBlueface Angelfish (semi-aggressive) is much larger than the peaceful Chalk Bass and may harass it.Chevron TangChevron Tang (semi-aggressive) is much larger than the peaceful Chalk Bass and may harass it.Mimic TangMimic Tang (semi-aggressive) is much larger than the peaceful Chalk Bass and may harass it.Crosshatch TriggerfishCrosshatch Triggerfish (semi-aggressive) is much larger than the peaceful Chalk Bass and may harass it.Niger TriggerfishNiger Triggerfish (semi-aggressive) is much larger than the peaceful Chalk Bass and may harass it.Threadfin ButterflyfishThreadfin Butterflyfish (semi-aggressive) is much larger than the peaceful Chalk Bass and may harass it.Majestic AngelfishMajestic Angelfish (semi-aggressive) is much larger than the peaceful Chalk Bass and may harass it.Blonde Naso TangBlonde Naso Tang (semi-aggressive) is much larger than the peaceful Chalk Bass and may harass it.Desjardini Sailfin TangDesjardini Sailfin Tang (semi-aggressive) is much larger than the peaceful Chalk Bass and may harass it.Orange Shoulder TangOrange Shoulder Tang (semi-aggressive) is much larger than the peaceful Chalk Bass and may harass it.