What semi aggressive fish would fit in with these fish?

[Libpete]

Hi. I have a 60g (uk size) tank that houses a 6" RTS, a 5" featherfin catfish and a 13" pleco. It also houses a lot of guppies which produce a constant stream of fry and most of them live and grow to adults.

I want a fish along the lines of a jack dempsey or oscar that will eat the fry but im worried how these fish will get on with a RTS. This guy is my pride and joy and he is best buddies with the catfish. From research ive found a JD would end up killing the shark.

What kind of fish can I look for? Something that wont take bullying from the shark but will also not attack him back too seriously, must like to chow down on small fish and must be able to live in a 60g for life and not a bottom dweller.

 

[lonzoencho]

I think a leopard ctenopoma would work perfectly for you


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[Libpete]

I think a leopard ctenopoma would work perfectly for you


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Wow that fish is nice, thanks. I have never seen it before. Could be perfect. I have lots of driftwood and plants all over in a natural look, even at surface which is why so many guppies survive. That fish would love hunting the fry up there.

 

[lonzoencho]

That or a South American leaf fish would work great also


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[hamster]

I think a leopard ctenopoma would work perfectly for you


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I have two they are nice fish and I would recommend them but they will eat all your guppies not just the fry. What about a pair of
kribensis I have had them with guppies with no problems.

 

[Libpete]

I have two they are nice fish and I would recommend them but they will eat all your guppies not just the fry. What about a pair of
kribensis I have had them with guppies with no problems.

As much as I like kribensis, my RTS hates them with a passion. I have one female left from a group and she spent every second hiding in her cave as every time she came out the shark would target her, often waiting by her cave. I moved her recently to a new tank and brought her a little male. She seems much happier and they both chase the guppy fry I have in there also.

Those leaf fish are very similar indeed but not related, right?

 

[follen]

You could try one of the small channa species such as gaucha or Assam. They will not bother your shark and will deffintley eat some of your fry.


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[Libpete]

Channa? Thats snakehead right? They did cross my mind as they are my kind of fish but didnt think they were compatible. Ill look them up after work, thanks.

I do love a fish with personality. I got into the hobby with piranhas then raised a male dovii to 15", he was one mean fish! He would breach the water with his mouth to take a fish from my hand. No tank big enough for such a specimen anymore though.

 

[Chicxulub]

Could you post pics of your RTS? Those are one of my favorite fish and I've been trying to find an adult one for a while. Thanks!

 

[Allan01230]

How about a port cichlid? They are bullet proof as hell and will not bother the shark. I had one in with my large rts in a 50 breeder and some giant danios without any issues.