Predator Tank

C

Cloud-9

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May 11, 2003
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Reidsville, GA
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I've got this idea in my head about putting togther a predator tank dedicated to one fish. Perhaps one of the bichirs or a Leaf Fish. The choice of fish would have to dictate the size of the tank and the corresponding expenditure. But I do want to limit the tank to 75 gallons. With a Leaf Fish, I can get by with a smaller tank.

The tank will have a natural decor. Sand, gravel, pebbles, rocks, wood, and Java Ferns. Lighting will be subdued.

I already have the bichir and all the equipment, except the tank and the stand. The Leaf Fish idea sounds good but I cannot guarantee a steady supply of tiny, living fish.

Anyway, are there any other predators out there that exhibit interesting "food-getting" behavior? I'm somewhat bored with fish who simply gulp down guppies. They have no style at all. I prefer something that uses stalking skills, camouflage, or some sort of finesse. And must be containable in a 75 gallon tank, or less.

Your ideas will be appreciated.

Thanks
 
A seventy five leaves lots of options. I'd go with a nice single cichlid. You say you are tired of watching guppies get swallowed but I think if you get a single specimen in a large tank and watch it grow you will be happy. Maybe a guapote. Highly evolved predators. They don't need camo, just outright killers.
 
Scott

How about something with a little more finesse than a guapote?

Something along the lines of a Leaf Fish. Or something like an Angler fish, but not saltwater. I keep thinking the only other fish that sneaky would be some sort of Flounder. Are Flounders predators? Don't they bury themselves in sand and jump up to catch unsuspecting little fish?
 
They are for sure. How patient are you? Personally I'm not that patient.
If your that patiet than I think an Archer fish would be super cool. Put a cricket on the filter intake and bam.......
 
Datnoid

NickH,

I have never even seen one of those. Just from literature, the Datnoid can get very big. The maximum tank size that I will consider, with smaller being preferable, is a 75 gallon. How big a tank do you need for a Datnoid?
 
DAT

you need a bigger tank than that for a dat. some of them get 24".here is a pic of one:
datsold2.jpg
 
I've heard/read that Dat's rarely exceed half that size in captivity. I believe there are two subspecies, one that is freshwater and one that prefers brackish but can tolerate freshwater. I'm not an expert, but I'm pretty sure that the freshwater only Dat stays smaller.
 
I think an archer fish plus several African Butterfly fish could be an interesting tank. Get a good glass lid, drop the water level about 6 inches, and put in some crickets or if you can catch them some live flies. The archer will shoot them down and the AFB will jump out of the water to catch them on the wing.

Just an idea.
 
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