Tankmate for B. bagarius?

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Chicxulub

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Hey folks, I've been wanting to set my 180 back up after I move, and I've been thinking about what I could keep in a tank with a Bagarius bagarius. I've been wanting a topwater fish that will not directly compete with the bagarius, but is about the same size.

I've been considering either of the Esox americanus subspecies of pickerel. They seem to be a good match for the B. bagarius in size, temperament and aesthetics, and seem to be tolerant of the cooler temps that the catfish needs.

The tank would only have the two predators, a cheap (and edible) clean up crew, and some (edible) dither fish. The tank in question is a normal 72" x 24" x 24" 180 gallon setup.

Would the pickerel be in ideal companion for the dwarf devil? Or is there some sort of topwater toothy predator that will fit the bill better?

Thanks for the help!
 
well considering the B. bargarius is a cold water i would suggest keep it along those lines, maybe a gar or two? but i know the Bagarius yarelli is the bigger cousin so i would say florida gar or if you could upgrade a gator gar. but only if you could upgrade. some thing that would get a tad bigger so it wouldn't become lunch.
 
woah, that made no sense lol. gar aren't cold water! lol sorry. but im sure they would still adapt and work well.
 
Gar are pretty temperature-tolerant species. They live in lakes pretty far north in the US, as far as Michigan. He could probably work something out with a gar, but I would say only a Florida would work in a 180.
 
yea, i knew they were temperate, i just didn't think that they would love straight cold or as cold as the B. Bagaius likes. but i know it would adapt very well.
 
shortnose could be a good fit too wouldnt you think? They are found in quite cold water as well.

B. Bagarius enjoy low 70's to mid 60's if I am not mistaking. This would be fine for all N. American gar. Where are you finding B.Bagarius?
 
I've been looking for quite a while! When I'm ready if I can't find one, I may spring for a yarelli. It's gonna be about two months before this tank is ready to go as I'm currently moving, so I'm just planning what I want to put into it.

So the pickerels aren't a good choice? I would really like to, at the worst, keep this tank stocked with fish that will top out at absolute maximum about two feet and aren't too active, that way they don't need a buttload of footprint like an arowana or an ATF.
 
i wouldn't do yarrelli for many reasons,

1: they get huge, hence goonch catfish

2: very difficult to find a true B. Yarrelli

3: they would eat most fish in the tank and you would have to be able to restock the tank often once it gets bigger.

but pickerel would work, but im a fan of gar and top water and bottom so reasearch on all around stock for middle section is not on me!
 
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