Hello..

[BoningKnife]

Hi. So I'm new to the forum, not new to fishkeeping as such but I am new to this particular side of the hobby. I've had freshwater community tanks for about 15 years, the largest of which was still only 120 litres and was shut down almost a year ago.
I'm currently in the market for either a 5, 6, or 7x2x2. The main factor is money, just hunting down a bargain, the joys of a wife and kids mean i don't get to throw money around at whatever I fancy.
Very much looking to do a predator community.
I love the look of black wolf fishes but it seems unlikely I'd be able to house anything with one? Other fish I'm interested in include but are not limited to, Jaguar Cichlid, Bichirs, Jack Dempsey, Convict Cichlids, Golden Wolf, things like that, mean looking, mean acting fish basically, however I would like to avoid a blood bath. Interested in piranhas, they have an awesome look to them I just fear it would be a bit of a boring tank, I know there's a theory of housing fish to small to be a tempting snack with them with moderate safety, how would the chances of things like dwarf cichlids be rated for that scenario?
I'm a fishmonger by trade, the bonus of which is I'll be able to provide a high quality diet at no cost.
So I'm here to talk to like minded fishkeepers and I'm eagerly looking for advice and suggestions about pretty much everything, stocking, cheap tanks, equipment, everything really.
Also just to add the tank is going to be situated in my living room so needs to be aesthetically acceptable, have a reasonable looking cabinet of some form and a hood, this of course makes finding a bargain more challenging but if it doesn't look reasonable the wife isn't going to allow it so that's a nuisance but one I have to work around.
Anyway I look forward to any advice and equally I look forward to talking to some like minded people. I don't know anybody on a personal level who shares an interest in this hobby so I am going to be very much reliant on this forum to get my fishkeeping chat fix.
Thanks, James

 

[the big kahuna]

Welcome to MFK. For a tank that size and to and reading what your looking for, I think a pair if Peacock Bass Kelberi would be nice in an Amazon type biotope. They have nice bright colors pretty active and even tho not "aggressive" they'll eat anything they can fit in their mouths. Just my 2 cents I'm sure others will chime in. Here's a pic, not mine.

 

[tlindsey]

Hi. So I'm new to the forum, not new to fishkeeping as such but I am new to this particular side of the hobby. I've had freshwater community tanks for about 15 years, the largest of which was still only 120 litres and was shut down almost a year ago.
I'm currently in the market for either a 5, 6, or 7x2x2. The main factor is money, just hunting down a bargain, the joys of a wife and kids mean i don't get to throw money around at whatever I fancy.
Very much looking to do a predator community.
I love the look of black wolf fishes but it seems unlikely I'd be able to house anything with one? Other fish I'm interested in include but are not limited to, Jaguar Cichlid, Bichirs, Jack Dempsey, Convict Cichlids, Golden Wolf, things like that, mean looking, mean acting fish basically, however I would like to avoid a blood bath. Interested in piranhas, they have an awesome look to them I just fear it would be a bit of a boring tank, I know there's a theory of housing fish to small to be a tempting snack with them with moderate safety, how would the chances of things like dwarf cichlids be rated for that scenario?
I'm a fishmonger by trade, the bonus of which is I'll be able to provide a high quality diet at no cost.
So I'm here to talk to like minded fishkeepers and I'm eagerly looking for advice and suggestions about pretty much everything, stocking, cheap tanks, equipment, everything really.
Also just to add the tank is going to be situated in my living room so needs to be aesthetically acceptable, have a reasonable looking cabinet of some form and a hood, this of course makes finding a bargain more challenging but if it doesn't look reasonable the wife isn't going to allow it so that's a nuisance but one I have to work around.
Anyway I look forward to any advice and equally I look forward to talking to some like minded people. I don't know anybody on a personal level who shares an interest in this hobby so I am going to be very much reliant on this forum to get my fishkeeping chat fix.
Thanks, James

Welcome aboard James

You have absolutely come to the right site for all that you stated in your introductory thread. Most of us here have experience in all types of Freshwater species from large to the small species. I personally have Bichir and a couple of community aquariums one that has a pair of Apistogramma and a group of Browntail Pencilfish.

 

[tlindsey]

While you wait for other members to respond with their knowledge and experience you can browse the Forum pagehttps://www.monsterfishkeepers.com/forums/

 

[kno4te]

If ur able get the 7x2x2. You’ll be able to house some of the bigger preds. Would suggest a large poly teugelsi, severums, mastecembalus dayi, pike cichlids (tapajos,red, or zebrinas) It’ll be an interesting mix.

 

[Jexnell]

Welcome to the fishy family!

Not sure where in the world you are, but if looking for a cheap tank check out places like Craigslist, OfferUp, Letgo and Facebook groups. If you hunt around great deals can be found.

 

[TheNonEuclidean]

Mixed predator communities are a bit of a gamble each time. You will never truly know if itll work until you try it. I love my black wolf. Ive kept him with an oscar with no problems so far, but hes a growing boy...
Getting the tank is the first step, everything else depends on the tank size. Good luck!

 

[BoningKnife]

Thanks for the helpful replies. Only just got chance to read through them properly.
I'm in Manchester, UK. So i don't think things like Craigslist are

 

[Jexnell]

Maybe a MFK member from across the pond can chime in on good sources for you to search.
After getting the tank we can then suggest a good stocking of the type of fish you like knowing the space we have to work with filtration, water change/filter maintenance schedule and some basic water peramaters, like will be using tap water that is whatever PH and hard or soft.