Chalk Bass help!

[Aquatopes]

I have a 29 biocube in the works and it's possibly going to be a near biotope, I say near because It will look and have mainly all Caribbean things but some corals like SPS will not be Caribbean as they are illegal to collect. The plan was to have maybe a trio of chalk bass and that would be all that would live in the tank fish wise. Could this work out or should I re-think my idea, I added a picture of the rockscape too

 

[C. Eymann]

You will be okay imo, I have a trio of mature chalkbass in my 10gal QT as we speak, they get along swimmingly.

 

[Aquatopes]

You will be okay imo, I have a trio of mature chalkbass in my 10gal QT as we speak, they get along swimmingly.

Awesome!

 

[mort]

As above, chalk bass are normally great in groups. They are simultaneous hermaphrodites (explained here https://www.nationalgeographic.com/news/2016/07/sex-swapping-fish-chalk-bass-hermaphrodites/ ) so you don't get intersex aggression like in other fish.
The only downside, if there is a downside, is they can be quite static as they mature but given the tank size this might work in your favour but I'd consider another species to add a little movement.

 

[piranhaman00]

I have two chalk bass in a 65 that are now in a 180. One still asserts dominance on the other, had him pinned in the corner in the 65. Hes able to get around better now. Not sure if its because I only have two or what.

 

[Aquatopes]

As above, chalk bass are normally great in groups. They are simultaneous hermaphrodites (explained here https://www.nationalgeographic.com/news/2016/07/sex-swapping-fish-chalk-bass-hermaphrodites/ ) so you don't get intersex aggression like in other fish.
The only downside, if there is a downside, is they can be quite static as they mature but given the tank size this might work in your favour but I'd consider another species to add a little movement.

Now with weekly 25% WATER CHANGES and a large macroalgae population, do you think I could sneak in a pair of neon gobies for more movement? I would be fine with not alot of movement because I'll have gorgonians for movement

 

[mort]

do you think I could sneak in a pair of neon gobies for more movement?

A pair of neon gobies will add very little to your bioload so in that respect you should be fine. I've never personally mixed chalk bass with the gobies (I know they come from the same area, so the bass should know they are cleaners and not food but not 100% on compatibility) and whilst I don't envision a problem I have heard that some people have lost shrimp to chalk bass so they might predate smaller animals. Hopefully someone with more practical experience can give you a more accurate answer.

 

[Aquatopes]

A pair of neon gobies will add very little to your bioload so in that respect you should be fine. I've never personally mixed chalk bass with the gobies (I know they come from the same area, so the bass should know they are cleaners and not food but not 100% on compatibility) and whilst I don't envision a problem I have heard that some people have lost shrimp to chalk bass so they might predate smaller animals. Hopefully someone with more practical experience can give you a more accurate answer.

Thank you, I think I will order them around april