Brackish Tank Mates for Puffer and Moray Eel (90g)

  • We are currently upgrading MFK. thanks! -neo
0

0112358

Feeder Fish
MFK Member
Oct 3, 2012
9
0
0
America & China
Hi fellow MonsterFishKeepers,

About five months ago I relocated most of my cichlids from their overcrowded 90 gallon breeding tank to a 220 gallon and now they are happy as can be.

I quickly converted the 90 gallon to brackish, currently at about 1.008 SG, but will probably take it up to 1.012-1.013 as the years progress. Put together a nicely camouflaged PVC cave and buried it under a lot of rock and coral (it was my marine tank many years ago).

Added a mature Green Spotted Puffer that was in full marine at the local fish store, and a "Freshwater" Moray Eel (g. tile). They have done very well since, especially the puffer, has more personality than I ever thought possible in a fish. Added some Glass Shrimp as food early on and the elusive ones seem to be developing a nice community of their own.

However, about three months ago I relocated the few remaining cichlids to the 220g, partially because they were hogging the cave that I made for the eel. I then intended to keep only the puffer and eel, but now it's beginning to feel empty in there as the eel is usually in the cave and the puffer is all over the place.

Don't want to add any more big fish, I want the focus to remain on the puffer and eel. Ideally I would like to have some very small schooling fish to populate the mid-level. Are there any exceptions to the usual "fit in mouth" predatory rules?

I have considered adding new batches of Neon Tetras regularly, but not only does that get expensive, but I have read that they are especially likely to carry diseases, and worry if using them as feeder fish that it would be a "when, not if" situation.

Anyone have advice on this? Any recommendations for an attractive < 2" species that can either coexist with these predators, or serve as a healthy feeder fish solution?

Thanks :goldfish:
 
I have a brackish with a 4" bronze puffer with two 2'+ (g. tile) FW moray eels. The other inhabitants are much larger than the puffer. Two cat sharks (~ 6" each). Three FW flounder (4.5",& two 6"+).

No aggression has been noted to date. I have gone through hundreds of glass shrimp as feeders, and never had any remain as "inhabitants".

I have never had Scats, but I hear that they are cool and stay resonable sized. Archer fish are still another option.
 
screaminleeman said:
I have a brackish with a 4" bronze puffer with two 2'+ (g. tile) FW moray eels. The other inhabitants are much larger than the puffer. Two cat sharks (~ 6" each). Three FW flounder (4.5",& two 6"+).

No aggression has been noted to date. I have gone through hundreds of glass shrimp as feeders, and never had any remain as "inhabitants".

I have never had Scats, but I hear that they are cool and stay resonable sized. Archer fish are still another option.
Click to expand...

I too am surprised that any shrimp remain. None of the dozens of crabs or small fish I put in avoided becoming a meal. Put in over 100 shrimp in the first couple months in 4 or 5 bulk introductions. Witnessed probably 50+ get devoured (many by the cichlids that are no longer in the tank), and I am sure many are eaten while no one is around, which is the vast majority of the time. Still see 30+ individuals in the many crevices and coming out to take scraps of the frozen foods the puffer began taking a couple months ago. Some are getting quite large (but still small enough to stay in the small places the puffer/eel can't get to), and some appear to be smaller than any I purchased, is it possible they are breeding?

Primarily though, I am hoping to learn if anyone has had a bad experience with Neon Tetras giving a disease/infection to their predatory fish? I introduced probably a dozen or so early on and they must have been delicious, because they were gone in minutes (again at the mouths of the ravenous puffer and cichlids). But now the puffer is beginning to take pellets (Hikari Carnisticks), and I want to get the eel on them, but he isn't going for it yet, possibly because there are so many shrimp to hunt.

Anyone had their predators on pellets for some time and became able to keep small fish alongside them? I am sure some predation will still occur, but if they are being fed pellets regularly, perhaps it wouldn't be a feeding frenzy and I could reinforce the thinning population every so often. If not eaten, approximately how long might the tetras survive in the brackish conditions outlined above?

Thanks again.
 
Anchovie said:
Mollies can go anywhere frame few to full sw if acclimated. They'll prob get eaten but they're cheap
Click to expand...

Yeah, I did consider some Black Mollies for their broad salinity range, in the end though, want to make it work with a smaller, more marine looking fish. Beginning to realize it's difficult to find a fish with size and vivid colors similar to the Neon Tetra that will tolerate brackish. If anyone has had success keeping them in brackish for more than a couple months, please let me know. Otherwise, any suggestions for alternative small schooling fish are welcome.

Because I'm so concerned with the little fish giving some disease or infection to my puffer/eel, thinking it would be better if I breed them myself so as to have more control over their health. This method will probably save money in the long run too, especially if the final choice ends up being something more expensive and/or not readily available.
 
0112358 said:
Yeah, I did consider some Black Mollies for their broad salinity range, in the end though, want to make it work with a smaller, more marine looking fish. Beginning to realize it's difficult to find a fish with size and vivid colors similar to the Neon Tetra that will tolerate brackish. If anyone has had success keeping them in brackish for more than a couple months, please let me know. Otherwise, any suggestions for alternative small schooling fish are welcome.

Because I'm so concerned with the little fish giving some disease or infection to my puffer/eel, thinking it would be better if I breed them myself so as to have more control over their health. This method will probably save money in the long run too, especially if the final choice ends up being something more expensive and/or not readily available.
Click to expand...

You need Florida (or as some call them North American) Flagfish.

They have easy ability to adapt from nearly 100% pure freshwater all the way up to heavy brackish. They stay somewhat small (3" - 4") range and can be bred in the tank. The males have an incredible display of color (not present so much in the females). They are the best algea eaters you can get, and they are relatively cheap.
 
Archer fish are good top dwelling fish. Could also look into target fish if you can find any. I also suggest liberty mollies. I dont know how big your g.tile is but if fed well he would have a hard time eating a 5" molly.


Sent from my iPhone using MonsterAquariaNetwork app
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
MonsterFishKeepers.com
Top Bottom