Pink Tailed Chalceus (Chalceus Macrolepidotus)

[capester]

Hi guys, fairly new to the forum and tend to hang out in the tanganyikan area, so firstly HI!
Secondly I have a 6'7"x 2' tank that I had been keeping a load of Tanganyikan cichlids and a Fly river turtle in- Discovered that FRT's and ocean rock don't mix by him cutting his belly. Out came the rocks (around 180kg) and the fish. Have left him in there with a pair of blue dolphins and some talking catfish for company. His belly is about better now and I have been sick of looking at a bare tank for the last few weeks so I went "shopping" today.

I am thinking of going down the route of Geophagus/ oddballs with the FRT but saw 4 chalceus and opted for them. I have had some before but only for the 11 hours it took my bl**dy shovelnose to hoover them up!
Anyhow, just wondering how aggressive these little guys are going to get as they grow and if I should have more or less than 4? Also any suggestions for tank mates? Thanks guys!

 

[capester]

Hi guys, fairly new to the forum and tend to hang out in the tanganyikan area, so firstly HI!
Secondly I have a 6'7"x 2' tank that I had been keeping a load of Tanganyikan cichlids and a Fly river turtle in- Discovered that FRT's and ocean rock don't mix by him cutting his belly. Out came the rocks (around 180kg) and the fish. Have left him in there with a pair of blue dolphins and some talking catfish for company. His belly is about better now and I have been sick of looking at a bare tank for the last few weeks so I went "shopping" today.

I am thinking of going down the route of Geophagus/ oddballs with the FRT but saw 4 chalceus and opted for them. I have had some before but only for the 11 hours it took my bl**dy shovelnose to hoover them up!
Anyhow, just wondering how aggressive these little guys are going to get as they grow and if I should have more or less than 4? Also any suggestions for tank mates? Thanks guys!

** Correction! They are red tailed "toucan fish" (Chalceus erythrurus) apparently!

 

[Davo86]

I'd probs get 2-3 more mate as once they mature you may have a fight on your hands being that they are in a smallish group, They are best kept either singly or in a large group where they can establish a pecking order safely without any one fish getting too badly picked on

 

[capester]

Thanks mate, I was toying with getting some more while they are available. Do you have any thoughts on tank mates? I have read that they are generally ok with things that won't fit in their mouths, is this right?