2 x Chalceus Erythrurus - Tucan Fish - Cape Town

Hi There,

I am very sad to have to do this, but I need to rehome my 2 x Tucan Fish. I have placed them in my new bigger tank, but it appears that they need an even longer tank... they keep bumping themselves into the glass and they have now damaged their mouths, as much as I love them, I can't bare to see them hurt themselves, please note that it has to be 1 x per home/tank as they should not be kept in a group of less than 6 if you want to have more than 1 fish ... an impulse buy that has taught me a big lesson

They are healthy (apart from their mouths that are now damaged) and growing well and are really beautiful fish.

If someone has a 2m + tank and would like them, please let me know and we can arrange collection asap please.

Thanks,
Candice

 

Hi Aqua, I'd love to help you out. How big are they now and how big are the tanks they are in?

@Altum - are these little dudes compatable with Oscars? I see they are from South America, but I don't know whether they can compete with Oscars & Geophagus for food? Happy to take both (if they are suitable for my tanks, or to bring one to you if you are also interested).

 

Hi AquaAddict,

They are currently in my 468lt (1300x60x60) - I wouldn't mind you taking 1 of them so long and then I can see how it goes with having 1, as I only read that they should either be kept alone or in a group of min 6 after I bought them... (I know it was wrong )... let me know either way, and we can arrange it, this weekend is fine.

Thanks,
Candice

 

Ok, so my 1.2m tank definitely won't be fine - there is room in my 2m tank - just waiting to hear from Altum whether he thinks is a good idea. I don't want the tucan to be snacked on, or starve because my current fish are quite "active" eaters and gulp up most of the food.

I'll contact you on Friday at the latest - for now you can assume I'll take at least 1. If Altum is interested I'll take the other one for him.
How big are they roughly?

I might be able to give you a few beautiful cardinals in return to make sure your tank is not too empty (if Altum haven't sold mine because I'm taking forever to come and pick them up).

 

I've recently seen these fish, in alround good health and quite vibrant.
@Aqua pity you have to allow for best home your current tank can offer their citizens..This now excludes your Chalceus

@AquaAddict They are in general compatible, but not advisable with your current mix , as well as the future and current mix of moderately active, territorial South American cichlids. They will regularly and quite easily startle the newer fish, even though your tank is bigger, it just means their "flight path" is just a little longer.

Now had they been part of your population alot sooner...I'd jump at it too.
Speaking of which, they will head UP when feeling cornered or threatened.

PS BOTH of you need to come get your fish!

 

Hi Altum,

Yes, a great pity, they were fine and only the last 2 days I have noticed their mouths being damaged, and I can only assume it is due to them banging into the sides as I have seen them do, its very upsetting, and otherwise they are perfectly healthy...

Let's hope I can find them a good home soon..

Candice

P.S, I only want the cardinals and White Spotted Bristlenose for now, when can I come around?

 

@Altum - managed to negotiate some "free time" on Saturday morning to do some maintenance on my tanks. If I can't swing by on Thursday or Friday, I will make a plan on Saturday.

@Aqua - Candice, I was already picturing the Tucan in my tank, but I don't want it to go from the frying pan into the fire and I will follow Altum's advice. I've upset the balance in my tank once before (inadvertently) when the Deacons and the Uaru went to war - it didn't end well. Hope you get a home for them. It is worth picking Altum's brain on whether you can keep the 2 together. I had 2 Elephant noses (also bought them before I knew anything worth knowing about fishkeeping) and the one hounded the other. (Also then read you should not keep 2 together.) Altum suggested that I redo the hardscape so that there are no "straight line" chases. After doing that it worked a lot better. The one still chases the other from time to time, but the chase lasts a couple of seconds now and both Elephant noses are doing fine.

 

Hope the tucan Two CAN get a home...

@Aqua friday mid afternoon , around 4pm?
@AquaAddict Same time as Candice, or Saturday around 10-11am?

 

I can't make it Friday afternoon unfortunately as I will not be back in time since it is peak hour traffic back home.. is Sat morning ok?

Thanks,
Candice

 

@Altum - I'm aiming for tomorrow (Friday). I'll let you know when I am on my way.
(The boss was doing the rounds today so I couldn't slip away today).

 

Update:

Was fortunate to find a home for one of the Tucan fish after they had both healed well, now I have the one left and its doing very well alone, a lot less skittish and no injuries glad I got to keep one, they are stunning fish!

Cheers,
Candice

 

I am looking to get one or 2 of them also. They are very nice fish

 

Hi Ryno,

Rather either get 1 or 6 + (would need a massive tank for 6 + though)... they do not do well with anything btw 2 and 5 apparently and I can confirm that 2 are not a good number with these fish...they are part of the same family as Bala sharks and act the same as Bala's do under the same circumstances, such as behaving very skittish. Hope this helps

Kind Regards,
Candice

 

i have never seen them anywhere before. im still trying to get a price on them and a suplier. so just 1 will work?

 

Yes 1 works out perfectly, mine is much happier now that he is alone... I got mine from a LFS in Table View, it was also the first and the last time I have seen them.. you do occassionally get the pink tailed chalceus, which is very similar, just the fins are not yellow and red but rather more pink... the scientific name of the tucan fish is Chalceus erythrurus, in case you want to ask your LFS to source it for you

Happy fish hunting, I hope you manage to get one, they are really lovely!

Candice

 

ive asked a number of LFS if they can try and get their hands on them. but they never get back to me. when i see one i will buy it without even thinking.

 

closing this thread now since they are no longer available