The Pink Tail Chalceus (Chalceus macrolepidotus) is a very shy fish, but at the same time active and can live both alone and in large schools.
These fish are endemic to South America and can be found in all rivers of the Negro and Orinoco rivers basins. They usually inhabit the upper regions of fast-flowing, crystalline and highly oxygenated rivers.
With a very bright pink/red tail, this fish has rather large silvery scales on its upper body, gradually tapering off as they move down its belly. These fish also have large eyes and a dark spot near the gills, and their fins can range from dark red to orange.
The Pink Tail Chalceus is a fish that can reach considerable size. Therefore, they are not recommended for beginner hobbysts, as they require very large tanks and need excellent water conditions to thrive.
Continue reading this post to learn about the main characteristics and needs of the species.
Technical Details
Name: Chalceus, Pink Tail Chalceus, Pink Tail Fish, Pink Tail Shark, Pink-tailed Characin, Red-tailed Chalceus;
Scientific Name: Chalceus macrolepidotus (Cuvier, 1818);
Family: Characidae;
Species Origin: South America (Negro and Orinoco river basins); Guyana, Peru, Suriname, Venezuela and Colombia;
Length: Up to 9,4 inches;
Life Span: 15 years;
Care Level: Moderate / Hard;
Water Parameters
pH: Maintain the pH of the water between 6.0 – 7.5;
Water Hardness: Between 5° – 20°dH;
Temperature: Must be kept between 23 – 28°C (Celsius);
Care
Food
Carnivore. The Pink Tail Chalceus basically feeds on insects and crustaceans.
In fish tanks, you can supply live, frozen or freeze-dried foods such as shrimp, mussels, molluscs, earthworms, along with flakes or pellets for carnivores.
In addition, it’s recommended that you give these fish several small meals throughout the day. Although the dry food is readily accepted by them, good variety in their diet is critical to keeping them healthy.
Temperament / Behavior
The Pink Tail Chalceus can live either alone or in groups. However, if you plan on keeping them in groups, make sure you add a minimum of six specimens to the tank. If you keep a number smaller than that, they will likely fight each other.
These fish prefer to swim in the upper region of the aquarium.
Tank Mates
As we mentioned above, the Pink Tail Chalceus is a fish that prefers to swim in the upper levels. So avoid any other species that stay close to the surface unless the tank is huge, as these fish are quite territorial once they reach adulthood.
Additionally, they can live in huge community tanks as they are hardy and easy to care for as long as you provide them with the ideal conditions and they have plenty of space to swim.
If you want to add them with other fish, look for species that are similar in size, such as Banded leporinus, Silver Dollar, Mylossoma duriventre, as well as large loricarids and cichlids, such as Geophagus or Satanoperca sp.
See Also:
Breeding / Mating
The Pink Tail Chalceus breeding is considered very difficult, if not impossible, and there are few recorded cases of captive breeding, and the details are very scarce.
However, what is known is that they require a huge fish tanks. So if you’re lucky enough to have these fish breeding, you’ll see a lot of small eggs sticking to the plants.
Depending on the temperature, the eggs should hatch in 48 hours and the fry will be swimming around the tank after four days.
The fry are large and can be fed brine shrimp nauplii as soon as they consume their yolk sacs.
Fish Tank Size
The fish tank needs to have at least 60 gallons for a single fish. To raise them in groups, you will need very large tanks.
As the Pink Tail Chalceus live in the upper levels, you won’t have to worry too much about what you put on the bottom of the tank. So, a substrate of sand or gravel is enough.
You can add rocks and hiding places, but make sure you leave the top region open so they can swim freely. Adding a few floating plants can help mimic their natural habitat a bit.
Also remember to put the tank in a quiet place, as this species is very skittish and can get scared easily. Also, to prevent possible leaks, add a tight lid to the tank.
Finally, as the fish needs highly oxygenated environments and crystalline waters, be sure that filter can be potent.
References
Lima, F.C.T., L.R. Malabarba, P.A. Buckup, J.F. Pezzi da Silva, R.P. Vari, A. Harold, R. Benine, O.T. Oyakawa, C.S. Pavanelli, N.A. Menezes, C.A.S. Lucena, M.C.S.L. Malabarba, Z.M.S. Lucena, R.E. Reis, F. Langeani, C. Moreira et al. …, 2003. Genera Incertae Sedis in Characidae. p. 106-168. In R.E. Reis, S.O. Kullander and C.J. Ferraris, Jr. (eds.) Checklist of the Freshwater Fishes of South and Central America. Porto Alegre: EDIPUCRS, Brasil. (Ref. 38376)
