has anybody tried raising a freshwater barracuda in a planted 80 gallon tank? i'm considering this and have pulled some research that kind of says its possible, as these fish are predators and they like a lot of cover - but are they going to be like an Oscar and DIG. The other nice thing about A. falcatum is they do not get TOO big - 10 inches, max, so an 80 is big enough. any thoughts or comments are appreciated.
acestrorhynchus falcatum (barracuda) in planted tank
- Thread starter cranium
- Start date
In general, the digging isn't going to be beneficial for the plants. It will matter what kind of plants youhave, and how much digging the fish does. Rooted plants like swords are going to suffer more than bunch plants, and rhizome plants like anubias would be fine. Another consideration would be the size of the fish--large fish tend to bulldoze plants easily.
Guess it depends on how much re-planting you're willing to do. With cichlids, it's useless to try, because they will consider your efforts an invasion and just tear it up again. Not sure with barracuda. It's possible you could provide for one area where the fish can dig without worry, and let it go.
Another consideration will be disturbing the layers of bacteria. In deep substrate, anaerobic areas will develop. Normally, they are not disturbed, so cause no problems. If disturbed, however, these areas can release toxins resulting from the break down of nitrates, lethal to fish. Before adding any fish, you could try digging down and see if there's an eruption of sulfur-smelling bubbles. If so, I wouldn't add a digging fish to the system.
Guess it depends on how much re-planting you're willing to do. With cichlids, it's useless to try, because they will consider your efforts an invasion and just tear it up again. Not sure with barracuda. It's possible you could provide for one area where the fish can dig without worry, and let it go.
Another consideration will be disturbing the layers of bacteria. In deep substrate, anaerobic areas will develop. Normally, they are not disturbed, so cause no problems. If disturbed, however, these areas can release toxins resulting from the break down of nitrates, lethal to fish. Before adding any fish, you could try digging down and see if there's an eruption of sulfur-smelling bubbles. If so, I wouldn't add a digging fish to the system.
actually, i don't know if barracudas dig, if they do, like an oscar, i probably wouldn't attempt it.