Hujeta Gar, Pike Cichlid, Jack Dempsey

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fball521

Feeder Fish
May 4, 2012
4
0
0
WI
Hello,

I am new to the forum and wanted to get some advice. I currently have a 55 gallon heavily planted tank with 1 Jack Dempsey and 1 Pike Cichlid. I have them on a diet of tropical fish flakes mixed in with meaty pellets and the occasional rosy feader fish. Through what I've read and what i've been told the Pike Cichlid (currenty 3 inches) should get around 6 inches and the Jack (currently 4 inches) should max out between 8-10 inches.

I visited my LFS today and saw a Hujeta Gar. I found this fish fascinating and thought it would fit well with the diet of my current stock and the fact that it hangs in the upper portion of the tank (the pike hides out under the rocks and the dempsey has his own cave). Is it foolish to think that this could work? I wanted to get some advice before I pull the trigger. I understand the the fish gets between 10-12 inches. Do you think a 55 gallon would work or am I pushing things?

I also wouldn't mind adding either a schooling fish (tiger barbs etc) and or a cleanup crew (pleco or some sort of catfish). Any advice is greatly appreciated. I want to make sure I do this right the first time. I have 120 gallons of filtration for the 55 if that helps any. All comments both positive/negative are welcome. Thanks for your help!
 
fball521 said:
Hello,

I am new to the forum and wanted to get some advice. I currently have a 55 gallon heavily planted tank with 1 Jack Dempsey and 1 Pike Cichlid. I have them on a diet of tropical fish flakes mixed in with meaty pellets and the occasional rosy feader fish. Through what I've read and what i've been told the Pike Cichlid (currenty 3 inches) should get around 6 inches and the Jack (currently 4 inches) should max out between 8-10 inches.

I visited my LFS today and saw a Hujeta Gar. I found this fish fascinating and thought it would fit well with the diet of my current stock and the fact that it hangs in the upper portion of the tank (the pike hides out under the rocks and the dempsey has his own cave). Is it foolish to think that this could work? I wanted to get some advice before I pull the trigger. I understand the the fish gets between 10-12 inches. Do you think a 55 gallon would work or am I pushing things?

I also wouldn't mind adding either a schooling fish (tiger barbs etc) and or a cleanup crew (pleco or some sort of catfish). Any advice is greatly appreciated. I want to make sure I do this right the first time. I have 120 gallons of filtration for the 55 if that helps any. All comments both positive/negative are welcome. Thanks for your help!
Click to expand...

If u want to feed them feeder breed your own.. And if u want the Ctenolucius hujeta i wouldn't get any schooling fish.. for a cleanup crew i would do yo yo loachs..
 
I've also had a hujeta, took about a week to get it on pellets. But my old Oscar killed it. It's also not very active, but a school of them would be sick!
 
Thanks guys, I'd love to do a school of hujeta but not sure a 55 gallon would be enough room once they grow out. Think I could get away with it? Thanks for the advice on the schooling fish, I'll probably stay away if they are going to become lunch for the hujeta. I'll also take a look at those yoyo loaches.

I have a buddy that has a convict tank that is constantly breeding. Would it be alright to use those fry as feeders (as opposed to the rosys)? It comes from a tank that I trust.
 
fball521 said:
Thanks guys, I'd love to do a school of hujeta but not sure a 55 gallon would be enough room once they grow out. Think I could get away with it? Thanks for the advice on the schooling fish, I'll probably stay away if they are going to become lunch for the hujeta. I'll also take a look at those yoyo loaches.

I have a buddy that has a convict tank that is constantly breeding. Would it be alright to use those fry as feeders (as opposed to the rosys)? It comes from a tank that I trust.
Click to expand...

no and yes u can use the convicts as feeders
 
fball521 said:
Hello,

I am new to the forum and wanted to get some advice. I currently have a 55 gallon heavily planted tank with 1 Jack Dempsey and 1 Pike Cichlid. I have them on a diet of tropical fish flakes mixed in with meaty pellets and the occasional rosy feader fish. Through what I've read and what i've been told the Pike Cichlid (currenty 3 inches) should get around 6 inches and the Jack (currently 4 inches) should max out between 8-10 inches.

I visited my LFS today and saw a Hujeta Gar. I found this fish fascinating and thought it would fit well with the diet of my current stock and the fact that it hangs in the upper portion of the tank (the pike hides out under the rocks and the dempsey has his own cave). Is it foolish to think that this could work? I wanted to get some advice before I pull the trigger. I understand the the fish gets between 10-12 inches. Do you think a 55 gallon would work or am I pushing things?

I also wouldn't mind adding either a schooling fish (tiger barbs etc) and or a cleanup crew (pleco or some sort of catfish). Any advice is greatly appreciated. I want to make sure I do this right the first time. I have 120 gallons of filtration for the 55 if that helps any. All comments both positive/negative are welcome. Thanks for your help!
Click to expand...

what kind of pike cichlid is it? some get 6-8" and some can get 18"! also it would be a lot better to.feed more pellets over flakes... i say no to the hujuta in a 55 once its full grown they wouldnt have much room to turn since they arent that flexible

Sent from my cave
 
The pike is a "Belly-Crawler". I'm told it should range between 4-6 inches. After watching it for an extended period of time it doesn't do much but hide out in the rocks/woodwork.​

I believe this is the pike in discussion. http://pikecichlid.com/bellycrawlerpage.html

I like the idea of a predator tank. If the hujeta won't work would anyone have any suggestions for a interesting predator that would work in a 55G? I've seen the "Leaf Fish" and "archer fish" seem pretty cool.

Thanks for all the advice guys, its real easy to look at fish when they are smaller and think things will work. Just want to make sure its set properly the first time.

I do have plans for a 125G up-grade in the future but that wont be till a year from now.​
 
The pike is a "Belly-Crawler". I'm told it should range between 4-6 inches. After watching it for an extended period of time it doesn't do much but hide out in the rocks/woodwork.​

I believe this is the pike in discussion. http://pikecichlid.com/bellycrawlerpage.html

I like the idea of a predator tank. If the hujeta won't work would anyone have any suggestions for a interesting predator that would work in a 55G? I've seen the "Leaf Fish" and "archer fish" seem pretty cool.

Thanks for all the advice guys, its real easy to look at fish when they are smaller and think things will work. Just want to make sure its set properly the first time.

I do have plans for a 125G up-grade in the future but that wont be till a year from now.​
 
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