Chalk bass size: how big does it get?

Adults reach about 7.5 cm. The largest on record measured 8 cm (total length). Record sizes among the 64 Serranidae species on LumaReef: 7 cm (Magenta Slender Anthias) to 270 cm (Giant Grouper).

Chalk bass tank size: what is the minimum?

A tank at least 120 cm long. In LumaReef that is the Wide tank or larger.

Chalk bass tank mates: what can it live with?

It gets along with 88 of the 99 reef species in the catalogue, such as Swissguard basslet, Banggai cardinalfish, and Pajama cardinalfish.

Chalk bass depth: how deep does it live?

In the wild, 12 to 396 m down. Deeper than most Serranidae on LumaReef (2–75 m).

ReefIn the market260 coinsCommon

Chalk bass

Serranus tortugarum

A social bass; the group hovers together and drops low when startled.

The Chalk bass (Serranus tortugarum) is a tropical marine fish of the family Serranidae. It lives on and around reefs, between 12 and 396 m deep. Adults grow to about 7.5 cm; the largest on record measured 8 cm (total length). In the aquarium it needs a tank at least 120 cm long and water at 22–26 °C.

Size: 7.5 cm
Smallest tank: 120 cm
Temperature: 22–26 °C
Care: Easy

In the aquarium

Temperature22–26 °C

pH7.8–8.5

Temperament: Peaceful
Diet: Carnivore
Activity: Moderate
Water layer: Mid water
Group: Happiest in a group of 3 or more
Coral: Nips corals

These values are compiled from real species data, and the LumaReef simulation is built to keep them true to life.

Which tank it fits

Nano60 cm · 65 litresToo small
Standard90 cm · 180 litresToo small
Wide120 cm · 300 litres37 of them
Living room180 cm · 650 litres81 of them
Showcase250 cm · 1,200 litres150 of them
Gallery300 cm · 1,440 litres180 of them

Who it lives with

Gets along88 species

and 64 more species

Caution2 species

Narrow shared temperature range

Not together9 species

Aggressive with peaceful

In the wild

Water type: Marine
Climate zone: Tropical
Habitat: Coral and rocky reefs
Largest on record: 8 cmtotal length
Aquarium trade: Traded commercially

Depth

surface

12 m396 m

Conservation status

Classification

OrderPerciformes
FamilySerranidae
GenusSerranus
SpeciesSerranus tortugarum
Described byLongley, 1935

In other languages

Spanish: Serrano Pálido
Chinese: 堊鮨

Quick answers

Chalk bass size: how big does it get?: Adults reach about 7.5 cm. The largest on record measured 8 cm (total length). Record sizes among the 64 Serranidae species on LumaReef: 7 cm (Magenta Slender Anthias) to 270 cm (Giant Grouper).
Chalk bass tank size: what is the minimum?: A tank at least 120 cm long. In LumaReef that is the Wide tank or larger.
Chalk bass water parameters: what does it need?: Temperature 22–26 °C, pH 7.8–8.5.
Chalk bass tank mates: what can it live with?: It gets along with 88 of the 99 reef species in the catalogue, such as Swissguard basslet, Banggai cardinalfish, and Pajama cardinalfish.
Chalk bass: alone or in a group?: Keep at least 3 together.
Chalk bass and corals: is it reef safe?: No, it may nip at corals.
Chalk bass depth: how deep does it live?: In the wild, 12 to 396 m down. Deeper than most Serranidae on LumaReef (2–75 m).