Possible conflicts among fishes

[JohnnyHyde]

Maybe a bit more on why a big no no?

All the fishes would be bigger than he (but he won't be small for polly to taste...) and only ctenopoma the same size +-.

A good thing about him - maybe a snail community might be maintained (fearful of snails, because of carpet plants which probably without somebody to care for their population (puffer) would be destroyed.

 

[Hendre]

Are there already snails in the tank?

SAP are half the size of ctenos, or less, and are said to be a social species so you'd need a group of them. Apparently they have more intense dental needs than other puffers, so maybe a species setup for them would be better.

 

[JohnnyHyde]

Tank is currently undergoing DSM, but I like to plan ahead - that's why i'm already making a list of fishes and then will hunt them in LFS.

Snails won't be a problem since I have a small tank with guppies/shrimps, so will add snails - it's basically a farm for the predator tank.

And the third tank which will serve as a quarantine tank till I get all the needed fishes - then will transform to another farm or something like dwarf puffer small aquarium in case no puffer will made the list in predator tank.

I doubt ctenos will reach ~20cm, somehow I believe more likely ~14-15cm.And puffer ~10cm. Moreover, all the fishes will be as small as possible and compatible with others when I add them. (by compatible, I mean if i'll get Polly of 7 cm, then all other fishes no smaller than ~5cm...)

 

[Hendre]

I doubt ctenos will reach ~20cm, somehow I believe more likely ~14-15cm.And puffer ~10cm. Moreover, all the fishes will be as small as possible and compatible with others when I add them. (by compatible, I mean if i'll get Polly of 7 cm, then all other fishes no smaller than ~5cm...)

I've seen 20cm ctenos before.

I'd personally keep puffers for a tank then do an African theme big tank

 

[JohnnyHyde]

Any other opinions on single South American puffer instead of Blue Gularis small group?

 

[magpie]

SAPs need a lot of swimming room, because they are really active (I've heard them described as spazzy). It's recommended to have them in 4 foot tanks because of that. And they really only grow to about 3", and that's not overnight.

So, I also think the SAP would be in danger of being eaten. This is the hard part about getting a predatory tank setup. :/

twentyleagues - how large is your Cteno?

 

[twentyleagues]

SAPs need a lot of swimming room, because they are really active (I've heard them described as spazzy). It's recommended to have them in 4 foot tanks because of that. And they really only grow to about 3", and that's not overnight.

So, I also think the SAP would be in danger of being eaten. This is the hard part about getting a predatory tank setup. :/

twentyleagues - how large is your Cteno?

About 6".

 

[JohnnyHyde]

Mine is ~3,3 foot. 3" i think would be ok, since the only real danger is albino senegal polipterus, which will start as small as possible.

 

[JohnnyHyde]

UPDATED LIST:

Upper part:
1-2 Pantodon buchholzi - african butterfly fish (1 or 2 will depend on overall crew)
Middle part:
1 Apteronotus Albifrons - black knife fish
2 Ctenopoma Acutirostre - leopard bush fish (decreased to 2, thanks magpie)
Bottom part:
1 Albino senegalus polypterus - Albino senegal bichir
1 Erpetoichtys calabaricus - reedfish/ropefish
Clean-up crew:
1 Agamyxis pectinifrons - Spotted talking catfish

MAYBE:
2-4 Fundulopanchax sjostedti - Blue gularis (Thought: beautiful fish, might even be fun to try and hatch them in other aquarium, more less same size as puffers. Might be problems with their long fins?)
1 Bristlenose pleco (Thought: not sure...the only thing why i would take him is because of cleaning aquarium glass, but as mentioned - might be problems with slime coat....)
1 Belonesox belizanus (Thought: something like little gar, however, not sure if possible to get)
1-3 South american puffers (Thought: with them it would be possible to introduce some snails to the farm aquarium and periodically give them. Funny looking little guys. Kind of constantly moving type of creature in aquarium...)

Tank: many caves of rock (with 3 huge, ~3 medium and others for small fishes), partly carpet planted, partly sand; many anubias on driftwood. ~66 gal / 250 litres.

If possible, i would prefer puffers to killies. What's your opinion?

 

[Hendre]

Black ghost knives are far too large... For a 250l you won't be able to keep one in the long run.