Serranus tortugarum

Longley, 1935

Chalk Bass

Range: Western Atlantic Ocean: Southern Florida, Bermuda, and the Caribbean.

Size: 3 inches (7 cm)

Natural Environment: Inhabits sandy or silty bottom areas on inshore and offshore reefs, and is usually found at depths between 6 to about 1,300 feet (2 – 400 m) where it feeds mainly on zooplankton.

General Husbandry: Somewhat common in the trade and quite attractive, hardy and very peaceful. Has a brownish/red body with small blue bars, mostly on the upper body.

Best maintained in aquaria having rock caves and crevices, as those in this species prefer hiding areas.

As to diet, will eat most regular aquarium foods, e.g., live fortified brine shrimp and/or finely chopped various frozen or fresh meaty foods such as mysis, squid, fish flesh, shrimp, clam, etc., and should be offered once or twice daily.

Taxonomy:

Order: Perciformes

Suborder: Percoidei

Family: Serranidae

Subfamily: Serraninae

Genus: Serranus

FYI: Best maintained in small groups. Introduce all at the same time.

Experience Level: Beginner

Temperament: Peaceful

Diet: Carnivore

Coral Safe: Yes

Fish Safe: Yes

Invertebrate Safe: Yes

Acclimation Time: 30 minutes+

Aquarium Environment: Reef or fish-only aquarium

Tankmates: Peaceful

Minimum Tank Size: 30 gallons

Temperature Range: 72 - 80°F (22 – 27°C)

Specific Gravity: 1.020 - 1.026

pH: 8.0 - 8.5