Halfbeaks and Scats

[Mr. Rain Cloud]

I would just like to know if anyone has any experience with these fish and would it be safe to add them to my current set up?

Here's a photo:


Current stock are in my signature v Thank you in advance!

 

[Industrial]

Halfbeaks should be fine, but scats need brackish water and end up moving into saltwater as they become adults.

 

[Mr. Rain Cloud]

Halfbeaks should be fine, but scats need brackish water and end up moving into saltwater as they become adults.

Damn, thought so. I thought I hit the jackpot on a fish that would take some space in my tank :/ I will definitely get the half beaks then, I hope they don't eat my badis... What do you think?

 

[brackishman]

scats must have brack and half beaks will really only do well with some salt to

 

[Industrial]

I've had my halfbeak for over a year now in freshwater and he is still thriving and biting at my fingers. Many pet stores claim that halfbeaks need brackish water, however the amount of salt they add even the most sensitive softwater fishes could tolerate. Now on the other hand, if you don't do water changes and your pH drops, halfbeaks would probably be one of the first fish to go.

I don't think your halfbeaks would eat your scarlet badis.

 

[Mr. Rain Cloud]

I've had my halfbeak for over a year now in freshwater and he is still thriving and biting at my fingers. Many pet stores claim that halfbeaks need brackish water, however the amount of salt they add even the most sensitive softwater fishes could tolerate. Now on the other hand, if you don't do water changes and your pH drops, halfbeaks would probably be one of the first fish to go.

I don't think your halfbeaks would eat your scarlet badis.

scats must have brack and half beaks will really only do well with some salt to

I see, I'm relieved to hear my badis will be fine; I know anything can happen still. Dumb question - does aquarium salt count or does it have to be the one used for saltwater tanks?

I do add some aquarium salt whenever I do water changes to relieve their stress and for their health. Am I right?

My aquarium isn't covered, will the halfbeaks still be alright?

 

[Industrial]

Halfbeaks being found occasionally in brackish waters, would use marine salt if they needed it. Aquarium salt couldn't hurt but in my opinion isn't necessary. Some people like to use it, I guess it could help ward off parasites.

With your aquarium I would not add marine salt. It is not good for freshwater fish once you start trying to make an aquarium brackish.

Also, if you get halfbeaks, try to get as few as possible. They fight really easily and in my experience most halfbeaks tend to be males, and even little halfbeaks that look like females can still be males that haven't developed their male colors yet.

 

[Mr. Rain Cloud]

Halfbeaks being found occasionally in brackish waters, would use marine salt if they needed it. Aquarium salt couldn't hurt but in my opinion isn't necessary. Some people like to use it, I guess it could help ward off parasites.

With your aquarium I would not add marine salt. It is not good for freshwater fish once you start trying to make an aquarium brackish.

Also, if you get halfbeaks, try to get as few as possible. They fight really easily and in my experience most halfbeaks tend to be males, and even little halfbeaks that look like females can still be males that haven't developed their male colors yet.

I appreciate the tips! If my LFS still has them, I will pick up 1 or 3 then. 2 wouldn't be safe right?

I hope they will not jump though, I have tried killifish(golden wonders) and they jumped 4ft away from the tank to their deaths during the night...

I just read your article on barracudas, my LFS has one but not sure which one they have out of the 4

 

[Industrial]

Any more than 1 will fight. If there are a few, the weakest ones will continually get picked off if there isn't enough room. I have two in my 40 gallon tank and they seem to get along, but I also have a lot of floating plants to break the lines of sight. If you have floating plants, you might be able to get away with up to 4, but one is always best.

Halfbeaks will jump. I would make sure you have a closed lid at night. Mine never jumped out the back, but without a lid it's bound to happen.

As for the sabertooth barracudas, scombs are generally bullet shade gray, rhaphs are bright silver, armatus are expensive (at least 60 dollars), and red tails have red tails.

 

[Mr. Rain Cloud]

Any more than 1 will fight. If there are a few, the weakest ones will continually get picked off if there isn't enough room. I have two in my 40 gallon tank and they seem to get along, but I also have a lot of floating plants to break the lines of sight. If you have floating plants, you might be able to get away with up to 4, but one is always best.

Halfbeaks will jump. I would make sure you have a closed lid at night. Mine never jumped out the back, but without a lid it's bound to happen.

As for the sabertooth barracudas, scombs are generally bullet shade gray, rhaphs are bright silver, armatus are expensive (at least 60 dollars), and red tails have red tails.

I see, it must be the scomb then. I think I will just get one then since my plants are not that tall yet, would cutting my water sprite and leave it to float work(if I do get two of them)?