Scavanger for Petenia Splendida tank

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Gambusia
MFK Member
Apr 29, 2005
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I have a way of getting a group of XL hoplo cats (6"+). Will start them off with 4 smaller petenias (4-5"). Question is: Will I be able to keep hoplos with adult snooks, or will they become lunch?
 
Lunch. These guys have huge mouths. And while not really aggressive, they will eat anything that fits in their mouths. Which is a lot.
 
Modest_Man;4133446; said:
Lunch. These guys have huge mouths. And while not really aggressive, they will eat anything that fits in their mouths. Which is a lot.
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True. I guess the question should be, will an adult bay snook manage to eat a 6-8" fish? If so, what is the size of the smallest possible tankmate to be kept with mature petenias?
 
P. splendida adult males can reach 14" fairly consistently, and they can eat fish that are half their body length easily. I'd try for something tall/wide; not a tasty hoplo sausage. :D
 
DWass;4133635; said:
Something big and thick. If not they will end up dinner.
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What would be big and thick enough? Please don't say plecos, or anything from outside Central America - I am trying to go with a more or less biotope setup
 
Ok, so I did some additional research. Hoplos that I plan on getting are not the same species comonly found at LFS. Common viriety maxes out at 3". These appear to be Hoplosternum littorale, and accoring to Planet Catfish grow to 8.5". To compare, Synodontis Eupterus also get to about 8-8.5". Ofcourse synos have that high dorsal fin with a spike giving them a taller profile...

I've kept Petenia Splendidas before and are aware of what they are capable of swallowing. I just can't imagine one gulping down an 8" fish. If it possible however, I would probably not want to take the risk. What do you think?
 
Try a few spotted or striped Rafael cats. They are highly armored and have crazy spines (I know 'caused Ive been pierced by them) and are practically unedible to larger predatory fish. Ive kept 3'' rafaels with 12+ inch lugubris pike cichlids and never lost one.
 
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