5 replies to this topic

[benckie]

I've kept some pretty big and mean cichlids before, but ive never kept any thing over 40cm, around 35 cm was the bigest till now, im new to tank busters im keeping a 42cm saratoga and ive just payed for an 8x3x2 just waiting for it to be built.

I posted a post in the classifieds wanting cheap tank busters but i didnt explain myself properly. Im after cheap tank busters because im new to keeping fish larger then 40 cm and a lot more expencive i was after some suggestions on good cheap hardy tank busters for myself to get experience in keeping the larger fish then as time goes by and im more experienced in keeping tank busters i will move up (then i might be used to handing over a months pay for a single fish lols) I mean like its hard to fork out 400 plus for a single fish when the whole idea is new to me, i dont mind forking out 300 plus for a colony if you loose one or two its not too bad but if you fork out a 1000 for one fish and it kicks the bucket or you wake up and its on the floor, ouch.

i realy like birch and once i get my tax back i will try and buy one for the right price but what other tank busters are out there for a newbie that are not too pricey other than a toga ?

[alec]

barramundi are super cheap

[benckie]

yeah i got some comming for my wife any other sugestions

[Peckoltia]

Welcome to the addiction. Onve you start keeping tankbusters there become only two types of fish. Tankbusters and feeders....

A great starter tankbuster I think is the good old Giant Gourami. They aren't 'cheap' but you should be able to pick one up for $150-250. Which isn't much compared to how much enjoyment you will get out of it. These fish will easily get to 60cm given they have lots of space, nice clean water and food (lots of it!).

As already mentioned you can't go past the Aussie barra'. I have 6 of them in my 8x3x2.5 ranging from 25cm-45cm. A great fish to watch feed once they become settled in. Will give any Peacock bass a fair go.

Just remember big fish = alot of waste. Keep up on your water changes and lots of food. You will have some big bruisers in that big tank in no time.

I feed my tankbusters a mixture of - market prawns, river prawns, whitebait, mullies, pellets and squid.

Good luck wih your new fish whatever they may be mate...

Alex

[devilman]

i traded a big buttikoferi to malaga its about 25/30 cms. thats one mean bugga, it grinds its teeth on the glass trying to attack itself. think they only want 70 or 80 for it

[MONSTAF1SH]

I would advise against a buttikoferi they are super mean and will have a go at every thing you can get it if you only want one fish in your tank.
Barras are great may be you can put barra toga and a few black bream together, black bream are pretty cheap.