Pink tail Chalceus questions

[Joshuakahan]

Hi
I browse this forum all the time, but I finally joined. I have a 75 gallon stocked with a Texas cichlid, bluegill, warmouth and a Senegal bichir. They’re all 3” except for the bichir which is 7”. I would like to round off my tank with a top dwelling pike/gar type fish. After researching pickerel and a few others, I think the chalceus is my best bet. I’ve never kept one, so any advice, opinions, or potential issues keeping them is appreciated.

 

[kno4te]

Can go with a solo chalceus. Would provide some floating plants to keep it comfortable. It might get abused/bullied by ur Texas cichlid once it’s bigger. Can’t comment on the other fish. It grow slowly and will accept most foods offered. No special water requirements just keep the water clean.

 

[esoxlucius]

Mines very peaceful, a great top water addition. Dosen't do much, just lurks in the top 6" of water. I got mine about 3 years ago at 3". He's stopped growing now he's reached 10-11". Beautiful fish, big brassy flanks, beautiful deep red tail with yellow pelvic fins. Easy to feed, though his favourite is worms and prawns. Mine likes a bit of water movement, occasionally testing himself in the current when my powerhead periodically comes on.

But, but, but. He was extremely skittish in his old 180. I put it down to the species because i've heard they can freak out if any shadows go near the tank. My old 180 was in my fish room so thankfully there wasn't a lot of traffic in there and he didn't throw too many tantrums but when he did, boy, could he throw a tantrum. A tight fitting lid became a must, and i've heard others say similar.

But here's the thing which has given me a whole new outlook on keeping "skittish" fish perse. I recently transferred all my 180 stock, chalceus included, into my new 300g fibreglass tank and it's like someone's waved a magic wand. Absolutely no skittishness whatsoever. My balas, tinfoils and cigars have also quietened down, it's as if they've all taken a chill pill. Even walking directly past the glass panel or jumping up and down has no effect on them.

So, was it a space issue that was making my chalceus skittish or the fact he was in a glass box which he could see out of on three sides as opposed to the larger space and single viewing panel of my 300? Was it the other tank mates he was with? I just don't know.

 

[Joshuakahan]

Thanks for the info

 

[Joshuakahan]

Mines very peaceful, a great top water addition. Dosen't do much, just lurks in the top 6" of water. I got mine about 3 years ago at 3". He's stopped growing now he's reached 10-11". Beautiful fish, big brassy flanks, beautiful deep red tail with yellow pelvic fins. Easy to feed, though his favourite is worms and prawns. Mine likes a bit of water movement, occasionally testing himself in the current when my powerhead periodically comes on.

But, but, but. He was extremely skittish in his old 180. I put it down to the species because i've heard they can freak out if any shadows go near the tank. My old 180 was in my fish room so thankfully there wasn't a lot of traffic in there and he didn't throw too many tantrums but when he did, boy, could he throw a tantrum. A tight fitting lid became a must, and i've heard others say similar.

But here's the thing which has given me a whole new outlook on keeping "skittish" fish perse. I recently transferred all my 180 stock, chalceus included, into my new 300g fibreglass tank and it's like someone's waved a magic wand. Absolutely no skittishness whatsoever. My balas, tinfoils and cigars have also quietened down, it's as if they've all taken a chill pill. Even walking directly past the glass panel or jumping up and down has no effect on them.

So, was it a space issue that was making my chalceus skittish or the fact he was in a glass box which he could see out of on three sides as opposed to the larger space and single viewing panel of my 300? Was it the other tank mates he was with? I just don't know.

Thank you, maybe I should pass on a PTC. It would be going in a 75 and the bluegill and Texas cichlid are already pretty feisty. Sounds like I don’t have a big enough tank and the wrong tank mates.

 

[Backfromthedead]

PTC are great fish but i wouldnt keep one in anything less than a 6'x18" footprint, which is what i keep mine in. Once they reach 7-8" they are pretty bulky and can cover a 6' tank with a flick of the tail. They do spook easily and are pretty sensitive to water quality ime.

 

[tiger15]

I kept mine in a 74, and moved him to a 125 when he got big. He was not skittish in either tank with plants and many large and small tankmates that can have a calming effect that would be if he were in a wide open tank. I keep him solo as they can be aggressive towards its own kind. More like cichlid than tetra, he stays motionless in one place and doesn’t move much.