What Qualifies a “Monster Fish”

[Kelly_Aquatics]

Is it size? Aggression? Is there a set size you would consider a monster fish (12”+?)

 

[esoxlucius]

Are we talking size or reputation? I'd swim in a lake with piranhas, tiger fish and the toughest cichlids out there, and think nothing of it, but you wouldn't get me anywhere near the place if I knew there were candiru in there!!!

 

[eon aquatics]

idk but i would guess that anything the size of a fire mouth cichlid or larger

 

[Deadeye]

In my opinion, it’s not the size as much as relative aggression, or at least damage potential. An exodon or dwarf puffer is a murderous psychopathic, so to me that’s a monster, but a koi is harmless and really isn’t a monster as much as a “beast” of a fish.
Pacus aren’t mean to things their size, but can go full piranha in the blink of an eye.
Leporinus aren’t a monster by size, but will mess you up.

 

[eon aquatics]

there is such a difference between huge fish like payaras and smaller fish like cichlids that they cant really even be compared

 

[Deadeye]

Cichlids are species dependent. Most mbunas are a holes but not monsters, even a lot of new worlds don’t count. But dovii, butti, p bass…those are monsters.
A lot of the 8-12 inch range cichlids are sort of a mini monster. Just lack the size to really feel as monstrous as their cousins.

 

[eon aquatics]

although the largest fish i have had is a fire mouth cichlid
i dont think i will ever be able to get a aquarium large enough for a monster fish

 

[Deadeye]

although the largest fish i have had is a fire mouth cichlid
i dont think i will ever be able to get a aquarium large enough for a monster fish

One day. You’re still young! My biggest is still my leporinus at 8-9 inches. One day I’ll grow out some pacu…one day.

 

[eon aquatics]

i would probably just set up a 120 gallon red bellied piranha aquarium

 

[robmcd]

Whatever you keep can be considered a monster to something else down the food chain.

I have been on this forum for 15 years. At this point I find it laughable that certain people are held in high esteem here because of the type of fish that they keep, and not by the way that they keep them. Just because you can house multiple large fish does not make someone a good aquarist. I am not knocking MFK, as I am here 5 days a week, but if I want to get in depth information from other fish keepers and aquarists, I take my questions and inquiries to a different forum.

To be 100% honest, I couldn't care less what other people consider to be MONSTER.