Predatory fish for 40 Breeder?

[bichirmuncher]

Hello everyone.
Recently, my senegal bichir has been lonely, so I want to get a predatory fish to go with my it, but i don’t know what i could get. I have had my eyes set for either a clouded archerfish or an african butterfly fish as a top dwelling species, but I don’t know what to get for mid section of the tank. I like how the freshwater barracudas and pickerels look, but I don’t think they will fit in this size tank. does anyone know fish that look like those that could go in this size tank, or any cool predatory fish that i could add along to this tank in general?

 

[Midwater]

Not sure about the archer. They tend to be on the surface of quite deep water, and dart off fast. Don't think a 40 would do.

 

[Deadeye]

FWIW, the bichir isn’t “lonely,” any tankmate would be no more than competition.
That said, the butterfly would be a good oddball option. As for the mid section, I personally would look for some medium sized tetras. They aren’t super predatory, but would add some nice movement to the tank.

 

[bichirmuncher]

I understand that the bichir isn’t “lonely”, i just mean that i want some more entertaining fish to be in the aquarium. Also, i tried buenos aires tetras and they DESTROYED my plants, so that’s a no go. I went to the pet store to return the tetras and they were bought immediately, and some fish caught my eye. I was thinking about maybe having some pineapple swordtails with some orange lyretail mollies? I might get some platies as well, but they might get eaten. Also, would an angelfish work?

 

[Americancichlidsaredabest]

The mollies and swordtails might get eaten. I’ve kept a Senegal with angels before and ime it was fine. Mind you neither were full grown.

 

[Deadeye]

I think a full grown molly or swordtail would be okay (or at least reproduce fast enough for the population to be fine). Angelfish or other small-mid size cichlids should do well. You can do a jewel cichlid to keep up with the African theme.

 

[bichirmuncher]

Ok, here are the fish that i want so far that i am debating between.
1. Senegal Bichir(current) red tailed shark (current as of this evening) 6x long fin white skirt tetras, 3 lyre tail mollies, 3 pineapple swordtail, leopard ctenopoma(or eba/ angelfish), and pictus catfish. P.S this is NOT a stocking idea, these are just the fish i want that i will shrink down to the fish i want that WONT overstock my tank. if i were to keep this as my setup, would this be overstocked? any recommendations on cool fish? also, I would REALLY like some kind of fish that has the look of a freshwater barracuda, but can fit in my tank, so if anyone can help me with that, i would greatly appreciate it!

 

[bichirmuncher]

The mollies and swordtails might get eaten. I’ve kept a Senegal with angels before and ime it was fine. Mind you neither were full grown.

ok, my senegal bichir right now is just around 3 inches, and the mollies i saw at the pet store were almost twice his size. the only thing that i’m worrying about right now is the swordtails, as they were only about 1.5 to 2 inches long

 

[Americancichlidsaredabest]

Ok, here are the fish that i want so far that i am debating between.
1. Senegal Bichir(current) red tailed shark (current as of this evening) 6x long fin white skirt tetras, 3 lyre tail mollies, 3 pineapple swordtail, leopard ctenopoma(or eba/ angelfish), and pictus catfish. P.S this is NOT a stocking idea, these are just the fish i want that i will shrink down to the fish i want that WONT overstock my tank. if i were to keep this as my setup, would this be overstocked? any recommendations on cool fish? also, I would REALLY like some kind of fish that has the look of a freshwater barracuda, but can fit in my tank, so if anyone can help me with that, i would greatly appreciate it!

I’d watch the red tail shark. I’ve never owned one but read that they can be aggressive. I think most of the livebearers should be fine so long as they’re big enough to not get eaten an/or reproduce fast enough.

ok, my senegal bichir right now is just around 3 inches, and the mollies i saw at the pet store were almost twice his size. the only thing that i’m worrying about right now is the swordtails, as they were only about 1.5 to 2 inches long

Imo that should be fine for now. Smaller bichirs don’t have the largest mouths but I’d still watch the ones on the smaller end. Live plants would probably be good for the mollies and swords for cover and if I’m not mistaken can help with breeding.

 

[bichirmuncher]

ok, thank you! I just got a mix of mollies platies and swordtails. my plan is to have them all breed so i can feed the babies to the predatory fish so my tank can be an “ecosystem”