Yellowfin chalceus

Care at a glance

Overview

The yellowfin chalceus is a fast, mostly peaceful hunter for a long freshwater tank. It is a moderate challenge to keep.

Caring for the yellowfin chalceus

The yellowfin chalceus is an active, powerful swimmer that needs a long tank of at least 79 gal (300 L). It is a determined jumper, so keep a tightly sealed lid on the tank. The water should run 73 to 82°F (23 to 28°C), with a pH of 5.5 to 7.5.

It hunts insects and small fish, so expect it to eat small tank mates. It is fast and greedy at feeding time.

Keep a small group of similarly sized fish, and choose companions it cannot swallow. The yellowfin chalceus is not aggressive toward fish it cannot eat.

Good to know

The yellowfin chalceus, Chalceus erythrurus, sits in its own small family, Chalceidae. It is closely related to the pink-tail chalceus but has yellow rather than red fins.

In the wild

The yellowfin chalceus comes from the upper Amazon basin in Peru, Ecuador and Brazil. It lives in the upper water of rivers and streams, often near the surface.

Common questions

Related species

• 

  Pink-tail chalceus

  Chalceus macrolepidotus

  9.8 in (25 cm) · 63 gal (240 L)

  9.8 in (25 cm)63 gal (240 L)73–82°F (23–28°C)

• 

  Giant river hatchetfish

  Triportheus rotundatus

  9.8 in (25 cm) · 79 gal (300 L)

  9.8 in (25 cm)79 gal (300 L)73–82°F (23–28°C)

• 

  Hujeta gar

  Ctenolucius hujeta

  9.8 in (25 cm) · 55 gal (210 L)

  9.8 in (25 cm)55 gal (210 L)72–82°F (22–28°C)

• 

  Narrow hatchetfish

  Triportheus angulatus

  9.8 in (25 cm) · 79 gal (300 L)

  9.8 in (25 cm)79 gal (300 L)73–82°F (23–28°C)

• 

  Clouded archerfish

  Toxotes blythii

  7.9 in (20 cm) · 106 gal (400 L)

  7.9 in (20 cm)106 gal (400 L)75–84°F (24–29°C)

• 

  Mekong archerfish

  Toxotes mekongensis

  7.9 in (20 cm) · 106 gal (400 L)

  7.9 in (20 cm)106 gal (400 L)75–84°F (24–29°C)