Jump to content





Posted Image

PCS & Stuart M. Grant - Cichlid Preservation Fund - Details here


Photo

Starting A Predator Tank


  • Please log in to reply
18 replies to this topic

#1 In between tanks

In between tanks
  • Forum Member
  • Joined: 26-October 15
  • Location: Jane brook

Posted 16 January 2017 - 12:18 PM

Hi I want to start a predator tank but have no idea what fish to put In it kinda want a mix
I like Red Devils and flowerhorns but apparently they don't really go together
Don't really want oscars
Any ideas cheers

#2 Jules

Jules
  • Forum Member
  • Joined: 07-July 09
  • Location:Treeby
  • Location: Treeby

Posted 16 January 2017 - 01:11 PM

First question how big Is your tank......?

Cichla (Peacock Bass) are great aquarium predators.

How about an aussie predator like Barra's, muarry cod, Mangrove Jack and or Saratoga? I still want to see a tank with a combination like that, think I would melt :wub:



#3 Hood

Hood
  • PCS Club Member
  • Joined: 06-February 08
  • Location: Clarkson, WA

Posted 16 January 2017 - 01:35 PM

Jules makes some good suggestions. Size of tank would help.
You could keep devils and flowerhorns together, you just need to make sure they're similarly sized, you'll need a large tank with some hideouts and also some dither fish. :)

#4 malawiman85

malawiman85
  • Forum Member
  • Joined: 11-December 08
  • Location: Geraldton

Posted 16 January 2017 - 03:23 PM

The really entertaining predators should be kept alone.
Mangrove Jacks are the baddest predator I've kept.
Barra are cheap at 3cm and 30cm.
Cod are an amazing looking predator once they get over 30cm.

I've seen some snooks around lately that would be good if you want less aggressive predators or something cichlidy.

#5 Hood

Hood
  • PCS Club Member
  • Joined: 06-February 08
  • Location: Clarkson, WA

Posted 16 January 2017 - 03:32 PM

I've seen some Dovii fry doing the rounds lately. They are pretty bad ass predators if you are looking to keep it cichlid based. :)

#6 Jules

Jules
  • Forum Member
  • Joined: 07-July 09
  • Location:Treeby
  • Location: Treeby

Posted 16 January 2017 - 04:00 PM

I've seen some snooks around lately that would be good if you want less aggressive predators or something cichlidy.

 

Great fish that is quite under rated and works well with P.Bass.



#7 In between tanks

In between tanks
  • Forum Member
  • Joined: 26-October 15
  • Location: Jane brook

Posted 16 January 2017 - 05:29 PM

Cheers everyone for the suggestions I am thinking about a 6x2x2 tank
As everyone will know it is hard to choose what fish you want with so much variety today

#8 In between tanks

In between tanks
  • Forum Member
  • Joined: 26-October 15
  • Location: Jane brook

Posted 16 January 2017 - 05:52 PM

Would this combo work
Flowerhorn
Red devil
Jaguar
Red terror
Just a question would the tank be big enough and how much should they roughly cost?

#9 Hood

Hood
  • PCS Club Member
  • Joined: 06-February 08
  • Location: Clarkson, WA

Posted 16 January 2017 - 05:57 PM

Depends on if your wanting to grow out or buy large. I enjoy growing fish out myself. But I know some people want the big brutal fishies now. :)

sent from Huawei P9 using tapatalk app.

#10 In between tanks

In between tanks
  • Forum Member
  • Joined: 26-October 15
  • Location: Jane brook

Posted 16 January 2017 - 06:08 PM

i would like to grow out. how many should i get of the fish one of each?

#11 malawiman85

malawiman85
  • Forum Member
  • Joined: 11-December 08
  • Location: Geraldton

Posted 16 January 2017 - 06:42 PM

Yes one of each, you don't want a pair forming... Game Over if they do.



#12 In between tanks

In between tanks
  • Forum Member
  • Joined: 26-October 15
  • Location: Jane brook

Posted 16 January 2017 - 06:55 PM

How much do you think the fish will cost

#13 Rodders02

Rodders02
  • Forum Member
  • Joined: 08-October 15
  • Location: Freo

Posted 16 January 2017 - 06:58 PM

First of all do you want a predator or an aggressive fish? Because flower horns, Red Devils and festae are not true predators just aggressive fish, whereas a jag is an aggressive predator. I think the he suggestions of p bass and snooks are a good idea (snooks better as bass will eventually outgrow a 6x2) as you should be able to keep them with other species of fish such as other American cichlids etc. also the native suggestion is a good one as all of those fish are very predatory. I think with those 4 fish it's hit and miss, it all depends on the individual fish, but if you're growing them out, jags tend to "come out of their shell" (before that they are very skittish and shy) when they reach 6+ inches, whereas all the other fish will be crazy mean from the minute they pop out of mama. I personally don't think all those fish will work together greatly when young or even adults, maybe if you get rid of one of those fish it might work but as I said it's very hit and miss and you'll never really know until you try. Another good fish to consider are oscars, trhst me and I'm sure many other users will tell you this but oscars will definitely not let you down. IMO I think the best suggestion is a native tank as most of the fish are easily obtained, they fit all your criteria (except some may eventually get a bit big) and it will be a very fun tank to watch, e.g. Barra, mangrove jack (apparently a very nasty fish), salmon tail cats, eel tail cats, toga, coal grunter and plenty others that might be a bit harder to find. By the way I was looking through a nice fish store in Melbourne today and saw some mouth almighty which look like very cool fish!


Festae - hood/josh has a breeding pair, flowerhorn - varies, cheaper ones around $50 and nice quality ones around $150-$300 ish, Red Devils - $5-10 ish, jag - $10-15 ish

Edited by Rodders02, 16 January 2017 - 06:58 PM.


#14 In between tanks

In between tanks
  • Forum Member
  • Joined: 26-October 15
  • Location: Jane brook

Posted 16 January 2017 - 07:12 PM

Well the thing is I saw a really nice flowerhorn the other day and it just made me really want one so this post was mainly to see what fish could go with it but then I started doing more research into flowerhorn sand there tank mates and one thing led to another and I just want all the fish but the problem is I can't so just trying to get the most out off this tank but I am interested in keeping a native tank but what fish but I am also thinking wether flower horn and red terror and red devil might work?

Edited by In between tanks, 16 January 2017 - 07:43 PM.


#15 Rodders02

Rodders02
  • Forum Member
  • Joined: 08-October 15
  • Location: Freo

Posted 16 January 2017 - 07:54 PM

Yes it might work, probably likely. You won't know for sure though until you try it

#16 Terry

Terry

    Life Member

  • PCS Club Member
  • Joined: 15-June 02
  • Location: Guildford

Posted 16 January 2017 - 08:39 PM

Tom , for a 14 yo I'm impressed.

 

Well done.



#17 malawiman85

malawiman85
  • Forum Member
  • Joined: 11-December 08
  • Location: Geraldton

Posted 17 January 2017 - 07:59 AM

It's always tempting to pack preds and aggressive fish together so you can experience more with less tanks. The thing is it usually makes keeping these fish more stressful (for you and the fish). The characteristics you want in these fish are the characteristics that make what you want to do problematic.

Sure try it but make sure you have a Plan B.

#18 Peckoltia

Peckoltia
  • Forum Member
  • Joined: 15-October 04
  • Location: Dianella

Posted 17 January 2017 - 01:28 PM

If you want a cool 'predatory tank' in a 6x2x2. From what I can tell from the thread so far, you are more interested in a tank dominated by Guapotes and other CA cichlids.

 

A 6x2x2 in reality is not an overly large tank for big aggressive cichlids.

 

If it was me I was start with a small group of each of Petenia splendida, Severums (colour is your own preference), Chocolate Cichlids and a reasonable school of silver dollars (red hooks/black bar if your budget allows). The tank will be relatively peaceful, be full of action and have a heap of different shapes and colours. The Petenia will also fit the bill of a true predator (piscivore) I'd go 5 each of the cichlids and maybe 10 dollars.


Edited by Peckoltia, 17 January 2017 - 01:28 PM.


#19 Rodders02

Rodders02
  • Forum Member
  • Joined: 08-October 15
  • Location: Freo

Posted 17 January 2017 - 01:43 PM

Robs has snooks in at the moment if you decide to go with them


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk




1 user(s) are reading this topic

0 members, 1 guests, 0 anonymous users