Chalk Basslet

 Quick Care Facts

• Care Level: Easy   • Temperament: Peaceful   • Maximum Size: 3"
• Minimum Tank Size: 30 gallons   • Water Conditions: 72-78° F, dKH 8-12, pH 8.1-8.4, sg 1.020-1.025
• Diet: Carnivore   • Origin: Caribbean, Tropical Western Atlantic
• Family: Serranidae   • Species: Basslets   • Aquarium Type: Reef Compatible

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The Chalk Basslet is small brightly colored Basslet species that has a light purple body with bright blue to orange saddle bands along its back. They originate from warm tropical Caribbean waters where they can be found moving about the reef looking for small organisms on which to feed. Their bright coloration, relative small size and reef compatibility have made this species popular with reef keepers, nano reef keepers and those with marine community aquariums.

Chalk Basslets adapt well to aquarium life due to their hardy disposition, strong appetite and relatively small space requirements. Chalk Basslets will do well in aquariums around 30 gallons or larger that contain some live rock or other aqua scaping in order to provide them cover and areas to roam, they will also do well in larger nano reef aquariums. Chalk Basslets do well in nano reefs as they do not put a lot of pressure on the filtration system and will not bother corals or invertebrates. This species is known to be strong feeders that will readily adapt to a large variety of meaty marine based foodstuffs.

They are not aggressive toward other fish species, but if kept with others of their own kind or very similar species, then they should all be added to the aquarium at the same time. In larger aquariums (100 gallons or more) Chalk Basslets can be kept in small groups and will have be able to find adequate territory even if other similarly sized and shaped species are present. Chalk Basslets generally swim near the bottom of the aquarium or near the reef, thus will appreciate plenty of live rock with caves and crevices.

Chalk Basslets are carnivores that will require a variety of marine based meaty foods within in their diet to provide them with balanced nutrition and help them maintain a strong immune system. They are a hardy species that will readily accept a variety of meaty foods including: small marine organisms (copepods, amphipods, etc.), chopped fish, crustacean flesh, mysis shrimp, brine shrimp, meaty flake foods, meaty freeze-dried foods and meaty frozen preparations.