TankBud

Yellowfin chalceus

Chalceus erythrurus

Also known as Yellow-finned chalceus, Tucanfish, Yellow fin chalceus

FreshwaterFish

Yellowfin chalceus (Chalceus erythrurus)
NasserHalaweh · CC BY-SA 4.0

Care at a glance

Temperature
73–82°F
23–28°C
pH
5.5–7.5
Adult size
9.4 in
24 cm
Minimum tank
79 gal
300 L
Temperament
Mostly peaceful
Social behavior
Social
Tankmates
With caution
Swim level
Top
Difficulty
Medium
Breeding
No record
Rarity
Rare
Family
Chalceidae
Origin
Native to the upper Amazon basin in Peru, Ecuador, and Brazil.

Overview

This is an active, powerful swimmer that needs a long tank of at least 300 liters and a tightly sealed lid, because it is a determined jumper. Keep a small group of similarly sized fish and expect it to eat small tankmates, so choose companions it cannot swallow. It is not aggressive toward fish it cannot eat, but it is fast and greedy at feeding time.

In the wild

Lives in the upper water of rivers and streams in the western Amazon, often near the surface. It is a fast, active hunter that chases insects and small fish. The large, shiny scales flash as it moves.

Good to know

Chalceus erythrurus has unusually large scales and reaches about 24 cm. It is closely related to the pink tail chalceus but has yellow rather than red fins. The species sits in its own small family, Chalceidae.

Did you know

The big, mirror like scales and forked tail make this fish look built for speed, and it will leap clear of an open tank without hesitation.

Common questions

What size tank does a Yellowfin chalceus need?

A Yellowfin chalceus needs at least 79 gal (300 L). It spends most of its time in the top.

What temperature and pH does a Yellowfin chalceus need?

A Yellowfin chalceus is comfortable at 73–82°F (23–28°C) with a pH of 5.5–7.5.

How big does a Yellowfin chalceus get?

An adult Yellowfin chalceus reaches about 9.4 in (24 cm).

Related species