What kind of predator for a 7" tank?

[Kaliedoscope]

I'm in the market for a large predator, but need opinions on what to get. The purpose of this fish will be to cull, and ideally it would be able to quickly eat a 4-5" CA cichlid when full grown. I am moving in a 230ish gallon tank for this fish, 7'x2' footprint by 3' tall. The obvious choice would be a RTC, I've worked with them in the past in this context and they seem like the best, since they don't get injured by the spines and eat pretty much everything. But the maximum size being 5 feet might be a problem. Any suggestions? A smaller species of catfish with a similar mouth and appetite may be ideal, but I'm open to all suggestions (hence this being in the general section). Thanks in advance.

 

[Ihsnshaik]

I'm in the market for a large predator, but need opinions on what to get. The purpose of this fish will be to cull, and ideally it would be able to quickly eat a 4-5" CA cichlid when full grown. I am moving in a 230ish gallon tank for this fish, 7'x2' footprint by 3' tall. The obvious choice would be a RTC, I've worked with them in the past in this context and they seem like the best, since they don't get injured by the spines and eat pretty much everything. But the maximum size being 5 feet might be a problem. Any suggestions? A smaller species of catfish with a similar mouth and appetite may be ideal, but I'm open to all suggestions (hence this being in the general section). Thanks in advance.

So you want to kill the fish later on but want it big enough to eat a 4-5" cichlid? Why would you want to cull a healthy fish?

I would say alligator gar

 

[ehh]

I'm confused. You want to raise a fish to kill it?

 

[Hoplo]

Are you able to get African tiger fish there, they look awesome.

 

[pharmaecopia]

So you want to kill the fish later on but want it big enough to eat a 4-5" cichlid? Why would you want to cull a healthy fish?

I would say alligator gar

I think he means whatever fish he gets is what the culls, the 4-5" cichlids, would be fed to.

I would not recommend a gator gar. Going to outgrow that tank in a relatively short amount of time.

 

[Ihsnshaik]

I think he means whatever fish he gets is what the culls, the 4-5" cichlids, would be fed to.

I would not recommend a gator gar. Going to outgrow that tank in a relatively short amount of time.

No read it again. He wants to cull the big large predator and he needs it to eat big cichlids...

 

[pharmaecopia]

No read it again. He wants to cull the big large predator and he needs it to eat big cichlids...

I did read it. I still feel that his intention is to use this fish to cull his unwanted cichlids. It probably could have been worded better.

 

[pharmaecopia]

If your a fan of RTCs I would probably try one of the smaller growing pims. Possibly an achara, tig, juruense, etc. Just keep in mind the overall size they can grow to, and be prepared to upgrade or rehome them when it comes time.

These are generally still worth something even at a larger size, unlike a rtc.

 

[celebrist]

He wants a fish that can eat multiple 4-5" cichlids at a time it sounds like.

I am also wondering why they have to be that big before culling.

Are you sexing them first?

Gulped maybe?

 

[Thekid]

Garbage disposal works wonders for disposing fish. And you leave the 7'er clear for something else.