Fry problem-Need a piscivore to solve the problem

[Carg R]

That depends. Do the fry ever come out? Near the surface?

No the crabro fry never swim near the surface.

Ctenopoma acutirostre, from what I read are not necessarily surface feeder (like the archer fish) but are fry/small fish eaters.

I'm surprised the venustus and the polleni haven't eaten the fry, they don't have any reluctance eating the convict fry (most likely due to the developmental differences of the two).

Crenicichla, Peanut? I'm shocked you suggest Crenicichla (JK)?

How do they react when chased, how is their aggression level? Do the Crenicichla (dwarfs etc) provoke fights, ignore fights or end fights w/ other fish?

 

[Peanut_Power]

The dwarfs depending on the species are aggressive to relatively mild mannered. All of them should be able to hold their own and will greedily eat fry...for the most part. Aggression level won't be anything that will kill your fish, although there may be initial squabbles for dominance and territory wit the other fish in the tank. Normally the dwarfs will mind their own business. If they are picked on most of the time they will flare and try to scare the other fish off, but they can kick some butt if necessary!!

 

[Carg R]

Crenicichla and/or peacock bass?

What does sides (if any) can you see w/ adding these two into my 180 gal (Polleni, breeding group of venustus, 3 large silver dollars, pair of golden saums, breeding pair of convicts)?

 

[Potts050]

Have you considered a small colony of Frontosa?

 

[Carg R]

Have you considered a small colony of Frontosa?

No, I don't want to over run the current fish (which a small colony of Frontosa would eventually do-size wise) I just want a "drop in" solution to the fry problem.

Besides I don't think young fronts would do well with adult venustus breeding group or large polleni- and adult fronts would ruin my fish budget for the next couple of YEARS!

 

[Miles]

Pike Cichlid..

Surprised you don't have one yet.. Shop around and get the right one and it could likely be a permenant resident.

 

[Carg R]

Pike Cichlid..

Surprised you don't have one yet.. Shop around and get the right one and it could likely be a permenant resident.

Out of curiosity, why are you surprised I don't have one yet?

I do like your idea- and as you stated if I "get the right one" it would make a nice (different) addition to the tank.

 

[sandtiger]

I like the idea of getting a catfish, though they don't seem like they would be the best or predators they will eat any sleeping fish that can fit in their mouth. Most catfishes won't bother fish they cannot eat. You could also maybe try a pike livebearer, I have never kept them but I know they don't get to large and they eat other fish.

 

[Carg R]

I'm searching for a pike in my area...would a bicher (sengal?) do the trick? Assuming they would eat sleeping fry...probably not fast enough through.

 

[sandtiger]

I bichir might work but most would grow large enough that they might go after your other fish as well.