Satanoperca leucosticta vs tank size

[goin_all_out]

Before I hear it, I tried the search....

So with that out of the way...... I've been doing research into the various earth-eaters and think I've found my fish, Satanoperca leucosticta.

My question falls into the all too common tank size. How comfortable would a few Satanoperca leucosticta, be in a 90 gallon (48"x18" base) tank with some hoplo cats and a few corydoras?

This is my first time seriously looking to the big boys, adding to the collection with a high tech 20G with phantom tetras and a 14G BioCube invert reef.

 

[edburress]

Satanoperca leucosticta are one of my favorite species, you won't be disappointed. I would consider a 90g the minimum for life, the good news is that after mature they grow very slowly. If you won't be able to upgrade in the future, I would go with 4. If you forsee an upgrade in the next two years, I would opt for a group of 6. If you could go with a 6' tank initially, I would certainly do that. They are peaceful, but do bicker a lot when courting and breeding.

I don't keep any catfish with my eartheaters because I worry that they won't get enough food, and (for me) it's not worth it. My leucosticta clean up leftover food very quickly and also love catfish wafers and algae wafers, so I keep my Corydoras in a different tank.

Keep the water clean and warm and they'll do great.

Hope that helps,
Ed

 

[TwistedPenguin]

Edburress said what I'd have said, I agree with everything. I really like mine but in almost 2 yrs he's only grown less than 4", he's an ornery thing at times. I wouldn't put Corys or the other cat in there. The tank bottom is going to be spotless with the S.leucosticta in there, You could easily put top fish in with no problem though. I've had mine in with Angels, Discus, all kinds of Tetras, 3 different kinds of Gourami. I think it'd look really nice to have the Eartheaters at the bottom and 6 Pearl Gourami at the top along with an Angel or 2. I just put mine in the 250 g with an Oscar & some Loaches and he's doing just perfect.
Here's mine You'll be happy with them.

 

[darth pike]

Ed beat me to it. A 6'x18" would be ideal for a group, and I'd never keep less than 5 together just becuase that is usually the minimum that groups are found in the wild. They do grow slowly, so a 90 gallon would be fine for a group for a long time. Deffinately an excellent choice though!!

 

[goin_all_out]

So trying to house these fish properly I'v decided to push the boundries with the girlfriend. I'm going to (try to) convince her of the 48" 90G and bring home a 60" 120G, not too sure how well this will work out but we shall see me thinks. But I have a feeling the only way I can get away with this is to get her a big sparkly diamond......maybe i could ask for an engaement tank?













Don't laugh, it could work..........

 

[goin_all_out]

I'm still up in arms over what to house with them. I'm thinking I might lean more to a northern SA biotope. maybe some marble hatchets to match.

Anyone have a good website to research biotopes?

 

[Eläköön]

their are lots of good species you could keep with them but biotypewise im not so sure.
panchax are a good high level fish, same said for gourami, although they are mostly from thailand

 

[goin_all_out]

thinking more biotope, northern south america. i'm looking at emporer tetras and marble hatchets. maybe oto cats for algae

any thoughts on the 60"x18" tank dimensions for a group of 5 plus these fish?

 

[goin_all_out]

also too keep up with this i was thinking dual rena xp3s or a xp3 and eheim 2217. either would be possible as i already have a deal on a xp3

 

[FSM]

either combo of filters would work fine.