Small monster for a small tank?
- Thread starter Solitarianknight
- Start date
Poly sens and dels are good additions but corys and banjo cats can become meals if too small or not wider than the polys mouths.
Wow a lot of responses so fast! I never clarified that removal of the other fish is fully possible. I have plenty of places to move them to. The only fish i have that can't be downsized is a giant upsidedown catfish I got in a batch of standards. Didn't realize he was different until he got about 4" long while the others were only 2". He would be fine with most predators I think since he stays on the wood near the top of the tank.
Now onto the suggestions
Pike Cichlids are one of my exceptions to the cichlid rule, i love them! Definitely on the list.
I'm split on bichir just because I know a 55 can cramp their style. I have always been a liberal space giver to my fish. If a 55 is an absolute minimum i'd probably give them a 75. Even my betas got no less than 5gals. I have a paradise in the 55 right now and he is the only open water swimming fish, so I may or may not spoil my finned kids.
Ropefish are an idea for me. It would require some more sealing though. Atm the tank is rather open top with some plexi boards that cover areas of the top. Some of my wood protrudes from the tank. I do love them so I would definitely go the extra mile. Plus, I could keep some of my catfish species in there like the banjos. The ropes would LOVE the giant root knot.
ZigZag and Peacock eels are pretty but I've always found them to lack individuality. Kinda like a group of kuhli loaches.
Not sure what Poly sens are?
Now onto the suggestions
Pike Cichlids are one of my exceptions to the cichlid rule, i love them! Definitely on the list.
I'm split on bichir just because I know a 55 can cramp their style. I have always been a liberal space giver to my fish. If a 55 is an absolute minimum i'd probably give them a 75. Even my betas got no less than 5gals. I have a paradise in the 55 right now and he is the only open water swimming fish, so I may or may not spoil my finned kids.
Ropefish are an idea for me. It would require some more sealing though. Atm the tank is rather open top with some plexi boards that cover areas of the top. Some of my wood protrudes from the tank. I do love them so I would definitely go the extra mile. Plus, I could keep some of my catfish species in there like the banjos. The ropes would LOVE the giant root knot.
ZigZag and Peacock eels are pretty but I've always found them to lack individuality. Kinda like a group of kuhli loaches.
Not sure what Poly sens are?
Oh! That makes sense yeah. If I were to get a bichir i'm leaning on the Delhezi. My lfs gets in different bichir species all the time though so it'd be up to what he can get me.
However, after discussing it with my friend who's been keeping for 50 years or so, the rope fish are becoming a main idea. They would be absolutely perfect for the tank. I really like the look of them and they would allow me to keep my banjo cats, pleco, and upsidedowns in the tank. I have some zodiac loaches that would need to move and the Paradise gourami should be okay.
Now, correct me if I'm wrong but Rope fish are notoriously bad eaters. I do have a functioning supply of least killi fish that would work for live foods if anyone thinks that would work. They all live and breed in the ricca at the top of the tank. I've also got a breeding population of ghost shrimp in the tank. Both the shrimp and killi's were wild (most of the current killis were born in the tank).
I would also be subbing their diet with frozen foods and I always have catfish pellets and omega one community flakes.
What species of ropefish are there to work with here?
However, after discussing it with my friend who's been keeping for 50 years or so, the rope fish are becoming a main idea. They would be absolutely perfect for the tank. I really like the look of them and they would allow me to keep my banjo cats, pleco, and upsidedowns in the tank. I have some zodiac loaches that would need to move and the Paradise gourami should be okay.
Now, correct me if I'm wrong but Rope fish are notoriously bad eaters. I do have a functioning supply of least killi fish that would work for live foods if anyone thinks that would work. They all live and breed in the ricca at the top of the tank. I've also got a breeding population of ghost shrimp in the tank. Both the shrimp and killi's were wild (most of the current killis were born in the tank).
I would also be subbing their diet with frozen foods and I always have catfish pellets and omega one community flakes.
What species of ropefish are there to work with here?
There's only Erpetoichthys calabaricus that I'm aware of. Not sure about other ropes or maybe ur thinking of something different.
Mine are good eaters. Eat pellets, tilapia, shrimp etc. The only thing is making sure the food is small enough to fit in their mouths.
Guppies will likely escape them. But prepared foods are fine.
Mine are good eaters. Eat pellets, tilapia, shrimp etc. The only thing is making sure the food is small enough to fit in their mouths.
Guppies will likely escape them. But prepared foods are fine.
No i think we've got the same ropefish in mind. I never realized there was only one species, pretty neat. Good to hear about yours eating. Guppies may be able to escape them, but i think the least killis would be doomed lol. They tend to be a little slow and a little too brave for they're own good. Plus, the adults are only 1" long. I was more worried if it would be okay for the ropes to eat them? I mean, the killis aren't native to their natural habitat and I wouldn't want the ropes to get the wrong nourishment from them. The shrimp would definitely be a meal then? Because their population is a bit crazy.
On a side note, how big would you say their mouths are? My biggest shrimp are almost 3 inches long.
On a side note, how big would you say their mouths are? My biggest shrimp are almost 3 inches long.
Sorry, i saw u write killi and I instantly thought guppy lol.
It's ok if they get eaten. As long as their disease free.
I've never measured their mouths. But can easily take down ghost shrimp. The width is more of the issue.
It's ok if they get eaten. As long as their disease free.
I've never measured their mouths. But can easily take down ghost shrimp. The width is more of the issue.
