Pink Tail Chalceus Care Guide
Chalceus macrolepidotus
Stocking Calculator
Bioload Score
10000
- Max Size
- 25 cm / 10"
- Temperature
- 23–28°C (73–82°F)
- pH Range
- 6 – 7.5
- Min Tank Size
- 300L (79 gal)
- Min Group Size
- 6 fish
- Tank Level
- Mid
- Origin
- South America
- Temperament
- Aggressive
- Difficulty
- Moderate
- Breeding Difficulty
- Difficult
Diet
A surface‑oriented carnivore that feeds on insects, small fishes and crustaceans, and in aquaria should be given meaty foods like shrimp, krill, mussel, worms and quality carnivore pellets.
Community Compatibility
Semi‑aggressive, fast top‑dweller best kept with robust, similarly sized characins, larger peaceful cichlids and big catfish, while small fish and other surface species will be harassed or eaten.
Good to Know
The Pink Tail Chalceus (Chalceus macrolepidotus) is the type species of the genus Chalceus and is famed for its mirror‑bright scales, vivid pink tail and habit of leaping from fast‑flowing South American rivers to snatch flying insects.
Gender Differences
Sexes are very similar, but large adult females are reported to appear slightly fuller‑bellied once they reach around 20 cm in length.
About the Pink Tail Chalceus
The Pink Tail Chalceus, Chalceus macrolepidotus, is one of those fish that stops you in your tracks the moment you see it. Its body is a sleek, torpedo-shaped stream of silver, covered in disproportionately large, mirror-like scales that catch and reflect light with every movement. But it’s the tail that steals the show—a vivid, electric pink that glows like neon against the metallic sheen of the rest of the fish. The contrast is striking: a predator built for speed, wrapped in elegance and flash.
Native to the fast-flowing, highly oxygenated rivers of northern South America—particularly the Orinoco and Negro River basins across Colombia, Venezuela, Guyana, Suriname, French Guiana, and Peru—this characin hails from waters that are anything but calm. Its natural habitat consists of clear, rushing currents where the surface is broken by constant motion and the air is thick with insects. These are demanding environments, shaped by flow and clarity, where only the most specialized creatures thrive. The Pink Tail Chalceus fits this world perfectly, its streamlined body built for life in the rush.
Despite its substantial size—reaching up to 10 inches in length—C. macrolepidotus carries a surprising amount of grace. It’s a top-to-mid water column predator, spending much of its time hovering just below the surface, watching, waiting, and ready to explode into motion at the first sign of prey. In the wild, it’s known to leap from the water to snatch insects mid-air, a behavior that speaks to its agility and instinct. In captivity, it retains that same energy, darting and gliding with a purpose that feels almost theatrical. Watching it move is a lesson in precision: fast, fluid, and always aware.
What truly sets the Pink Tail Chalceus apart is its combination of beauty and behavior. It’s not just a flashy display fish; it’s an active, engaging predator with a personality that rewards observation. For aquarists and content creators alike, it offers something uncommon: a large, charismatic species that combines striking visuals, dynamic movement, and a compelling natural story—a silver-and-pink missile from the rushing rivers of the Amazon and Orinoco, brought to life in glass and current.
Stock Pink Tail Chalceus in Your Tank
Use our free stocking calculator to see if Pink Tail Chalceus fits your aquarium