greetings from Guppy

[guppy]

Hello, My name is Loren, user name Guppy. I am currently between tanks but have run many over the years. The last two predator tanks I had were fairly small,1@35 gal., and 1@55gal.. The 55 held an African Pike Characin (Phago maculatus) about 8" long, a Whitespotted Pike Cichlid about the same size, and three Acestrorhynchus falcatus Barracudas that were also that size. There were several cory cats in it as well. The other tank held only one fish and was not planted or even heated. It contained a fish that was given to me as a Marbled Sleeper, I don't know it's genus or even family but it was a monter that grew from 10"s to 14"s in one year and once ate a largeouth bass that was an inch longer than it was. It sat around for tree days with the basses tail sticking out of it's mouth. I am looking forward to starting a tank or two soon

[redtailfool]

Welcome Loren ! Thanks for joining. Your current setup sounds interesting. Can you post pics of the marbled sleeper?

[WckedMidas]

wellcome

[The TRUST]

Welcome to MFK!

Sounds like you like Big Characins. Here are a few that you might Interesting and might want to try you're luck with them someday :)

HEPSETUS ODOE aka African Pike

http://www.jjphoto.dk/fish_archive/aquarium/hepsetus_odoe_x.jpg

Hydrocynus Vittatus aka African Tiger Fish

http://f15.aaa.livedoor.jp/~ichthy/thai/hydrocynus_vittatus.jpg

[The TRUST]

Salminus maxillosus aka DORADO

http://www.monsterfishkeepers.com/gallery/watermark.php?file=2/3DORADO.JPG

Payara (forget the Scientific name) :(

http://www.amazon-sportfishing.com/images/Hamano%20and%20big%20payara.jpg

[piranha45]

where is the dorado pic from?

[The TRUST]

I believe Josh and George snapped that pic in Argentina.

[piranha45]

sweet jesus, i wish i could do that sorta stuff on my free time

[guppy]

I am not running any tanks right now due to job situation, it was a year ago that I sold that marbled sleeper. The guy I got it from used to keep it in an old claw foot tub in his back yard and just run in some tap water from a hose if the level got to low. It survied everything from tap water to rainwater, and temps. from ice on surface to 104 degrees. He told me it once ate a small turtle but I did not see that. If anyone can find a reference for the ugly sob please tell me as I want to get another one.

[piranha45]

i was lookin around for you, found an online site that sells em here:
http://www.petsolutions.com/Sleeper+Goby-I-56480-I-.aspx

a LOT of people have no problem finding them in lfses though. If I were going for a native of that size I'd go for a bowfin instead, but thats just me.

[guppy]

That is A sleeper but not a marbled sleeper, the only time I have seen a picture was in a very old Dr. Axelrods Atlas. They are bottom dwelling ambush predators that are mottled brown, green, and tan with a small rough fringe of skin. They are cylindrical and have a somewhat flattened head and a huge mouth. I like bowfins too, They are neat and if you accidently kill one they make a great meal.

[piranha45]

are you serious about the bowfin? all the fishing sites say they are a rough fish that has gooey, distasteful flesh.

[guppy]

The few I ate came from slow clean water just below a large gravel that was just downstream of Toledo Bend dam in Louisiana, good, clean, and well oxygenated water. The meat wasn't at all muddy tasting, It was firm, white, and flakey, but did have a slight oily taste if fried. We usually steamed it, flaked it and added it to hushpuppy dough, then quickly deep fried walnut sized balls of the mixed dough in very hot peanut oil. Recipe also works for gar. A benifit of this recipe is you remove the bones right after steaming and can save the flaked meat in tupperware for a couple of days.

[neoprodigy]

Welcome Loren!!! sorry for the late welcome :)

[rainbowfishpc]

OMG I FOUND GUPPY"S FIRST POST!