Big tank, need some opinions.

  • We are currently upgrading MFK. thanks! -neo
I think i should just sell my dats and just get 1 or 2 big mbu puffers lol
 
DAMn! don't toy with you!! LOL , looks like you have lots of great options! I say just close your eyes and choose!!
 
http://floridafisheries.com/Fishes/restricted.html

Now there I was thinking that I was wrong about what I had read about arrowanas. But it turns out I was right

Family Osteoglossidae (including Arapaima gigas, Scleropages formosus, Osteoglossum ferreirai, Heterotis niloticus "looky there that is the scientific name for the African Arowanna wow" ).


Common Names - Bony-tongue fish, arapaima.


Description - These fish are all characterized by a landing-ramp like lower jaw with barbels and large scales . The pelvic fins are well behind the pectoral fins and often skinny. The dorsal and anal fins are long and ribbon-like but the caudal fin is distinct. Arowana (Osteoglossum bicirrhosum) are the only bony tongue fish not restricted in Florida. Illustrated above, it is somewhat typical of these fish but can be distinguished by the two long barbels on the lower jaw, along with the vertical stripe through the eye and red posterior edge to the gill plate. Arapaima, which are restricted have a mosaic pattern to their scales, and although they have a large ramp-like mouth it is less distinct than for the other osteoglossids.


Species - 4 genera, 7 species


Range - Circumtropical in Africa, South America, Southeast Asia and Australia "this is key because it gives you a range of all the aros that are restricted or prohibited"

Habitat - Normally slow moving waters. Facilitative air breathers, so they do well in very low oxygen water.

Spawning Habits - Dig nests and protect their young


Feeding Habits - Primarily piscivores but eat insects and other prey as well, adapted to attacking their prey from below.


Age and Growth - Arapaima are among the largest freshwater fish reaching lengths of 14 feet and 440 pounds.

Potential Concerns - All bony tongue fishes, family Osteoglossidae are restricted, except arowana (Osteoglossum bicirrhosum; illustrated above) is exempted, see photo above, due to their inability to survive temperatures below 58 degrees Fahrenheit.

Sorry to derail your threa dude, but I hate when people blurt **** out thinking theyre right.....but theyre not. Back to the thread in hand. Some dats would look great in a 500 gal. A pack of AFROS would be nice too. If you like Cichla look @ dieselmacks setup it is off the chain. If you can get your hands on a Leicharti that would be awesome. I had one not too long ago that out grew my tank and is now in a bigger tank. I am a Floridian too and there are ways to get what you want ....just be discreet about it. And look into getting those permits so you can keep the Rays legally thats what I would do. I have a 375 that I will be setting up soon for some dats... and nice pike or I may take another route and do a S/A biotype with some rays and a Black aro.



Good luck
 
bichir addict;475228; said:
I think i should just sell my dats and just get 1 or 2 big mbu puffers lol

Don't sell them if your concerned about compatibility.

I have small (3 inch) dats with my big Mbu - they love it! (when the little sods decide to come out!)
 
varanio: did you get your self a permit to get a black arrow and SA stingrays? if you dont and you got them i would love to know who so i can get some also.

Puff: i just heard that mbu's were extremely aggressive and would kill any fish thats in with it so i was just going along with what i heard as i have never kept a big FW puffer before.
 
Mbu's are very hit and miss when it come to tank mates. If you get them early and feed only frozen foods, you might have a chance;)
 
messiner;474959; said:
listen buddy, i live in florida and have all my life. i know whats legal and whats not. only aro illegal in fl are asians and blacks. silvers, afros, both aussies are LEGAL. i would gladly take pics if we had any in stock. they look kinda crappy when small, like a baby whale with different scales.

heres a link for ya buddy http://myfwc.com/fishing/Fishes/non-native.html

I looked up the site provided and this is a quote under Florida Restricted Speices: Bony-Tongued Fishes:

"Potential Concerns - All bony tongue fishes, family Osteoglossidae are restricted, except arowana (Osteoglossum bicirrhosum [Silver Arowana]; illustrated above) is exempted, see photo above, due to their inability to survive temperatures below 58 degrees Fahrenheit."

Restriced means that while they are not illegal, you would need a permit. (i.e Electric Eels, Pirahnas are Prohibited) This said, I have seen both Jardini (years ago) and Arapima for sale in Florida at the retail level, no mention of permitting. How LFS are able to do this, I don't know.
 
y not some natives like barramundi, jungle perhc sleepy cod or murray cod???
 
whatever your decision I look forward to pics & updates. I do think a large shoal of soething big in there too would look great and add lots of movement. Just don't ask me what mate!:ROFL:
 
MonsterFishKeepers.com