Ace. aura feedback needed

[DrVader]

I'd appreciate some feedback re: the following proposed setup for:

Red Tail Barracuda
(Acestrorhynchus falcatus)

I already found some nice info. here:

http://www.angelfire.com/biz/piranha038/Tom_Lorenz_Aces.html

Tank: 125 gallon (72 in. length), 3D foam interior background, pool sand substrate. There will be no other decor of any kind (meant to showcase the fish and be uber practical for tank maintenance). I was planning on using duckweed to assist as a nutrient sponge and minimize stress reaction for movements above water level.

Filtration: FX5

Lighting: relatively subdued

Temp: 82 F

Water params: Minimum weekly 60% water changes, pH stable at 7.8, GH 6, KH 7

Feeding: I do not want do any live fish feeders. Ideally, defrosted fish/shrimp would be accepted but if live foods only are accepted initially, earthworms, bloodworms and crickets would be the staple diet. Concerns with this strategy?

This tank will be a species only tank and I'm planning on purchasing 3 specimens. Should I be concerned with aggresion/infighting at this count? 5 has been recommended as 'safe' but 125 gallons is clearly inadequate for that count.

Thanks for any feedback!

 

[hybridtheoryd16]

If you are against live fish feeders then for get about aces as well as most other large predatory characins. They will all need live foods at the very least for a few months, until you get them acclimated well. Then you can start starving them to get them onto unnatural food items. Which is very cruel IMO. Of all the research i have done I have never found a case of someone successfully converting a ace. Some people have said that they knew of a ace on dead foods but could not prove it. Basically predators are so because they eat live foods. If these fish ate dead foods they would have evolved into a very differently looking fish. So if you want the look, respect it atleast.

 

[DrVader]

Thanks for the post hybrid.

I'm certainly not against live feeders, just didn't want to set up another tank for the feeders' QT (I am understandably concerned re: parasite transmission). I suppose a 10 gallon GT tank in the garage is doable. Glad I asked re: live conversion with aces as I have probably heard the same stories you have; sounds like it may not be that simple to get them to eat dead. Especially with a new tank and so susceptible to finrot, starving them is certainly not an option.

 

[shamrock]

You may want some plants too-that way they are at ease-they tend to be skittish for the first few days. I think you could do 5 in your 125 gallon. Years ago I had 5 Aces with 5 Hujetas.

 

[channarox]

If you are against live fish feeders then for get about aces as well as most other large predatory characins. They will all need live foods at the very least for a few months, until you get them acclimated well. Then you can start starving them to get them onto unnatural food items. Which is very cruel IMO. Of all the research i have done I have never found a case of someone successfully converting a ace. Some people have said that they knew of a ace on dead foods but could not prove it. Basically predators are so because they eat live foods. If these fish ate dead foods they would have evolved into a very differently looking fish. So if you want the look, respect it atleast.

not necessarily.
ive gotten them onto dead food with ease actually?
reds seemed to be the most eager to take dead foods.
yellows...

3 is fine IME.
i have seen them in pairs.
everytime ive had em i had no fighting.
they may look ferocious,but they certainly are big wussies.
ive found they actually like a lot of current.