120 Litre Tank.

[Jamie1986]

I have recently purchased a new tank, hold 120 litres, 80cm x 45cm x 35cm. I kept community tanks for a number of years but got rid due to arrival of new baby and no time. This time round I am really keen on keeping a hammer head shark and an arowana. I seen them in my lfs, they were babies, hammer head being 2 inches and arowana 4 inch. I was told my size of tank was suitable but after reading previous posts I am doubtful. Any help would be much appreciated.

 

[shoulders]

hammer head shark

 

[MBOU]

I assume you mean a shovelnose rather than a hammerhead!?

And no....the tank wont last them a month even if you bought either at an inch long.

 

[minnnt]

Arowana in a 2 and a half foot ish tank? Just got visions of it looking like a python all curled up...

I think your LFS are pulling your leg mate. The fish you mention can get very large indeed and would not be suitable at all.

Welcome to the forum btw!!

 

[Jamie1986]

Hammer head was the description in the shop, so they were just looking for a sale then, what type of predatory fish would be suitable then.

Cheers Minnt

 

[minnnt]

Dwarf puffer fish?

 

[Wills]

Wow amazed anyone could even consider suggesting that...

Where abouts are you from? Finding smaller predatory (or at least predatory looking) fish is quite hard.

On a much smaller scale than Arrowanas a vaguely similar fish could be Halfbeaks, which are a nice fish for the upper levels but not a big problem with them being too predatory as they mainly eat bugs (but will take aquarium food) A big school of some kind of Danio would work with them and then some Akyiss catfish or Dwarf Bagrids would work - Hara Cats would as well.

Or there are a few puffer fish that would work as a single wet pet Though I would not go for Dwarf Puffers in a 30g as the general advice is 5g per puffer which is a lot to give to a small fish like that....

Wills

 

[Jamie1986]

Definetely dont want to go back to tetras guppies etc. Had a look at puffer fish, look ok,will have a word with my lfs tho, was set on the shark and arowana

 

[Wills]

At a guess I would say the "shark" was probably a parroon shark - bit of info here - http/www.planetcatfish.com/catelog/species.php?species_id=268

And the Arrowanas a similar kind of story, though sometimes Jardini arrowans are a little more manageable but your still talking huge tank - somewhere in the region of at least a 6 foot 200 gallon tank.

With the puffers I would be wary of talking to your LFS about decisions if they are willing to sell fish that grow bigger than your tank to you

What other fish have you seen that you like? I have seen a good set up with Exodons in the past which are like mini piranhas But more fun and active.

Wills

 

[Jamie1986]

Not sure what fish I want now. I did think that the arowana would out grow the tank but was assured it would only grow to the size of the tank. I defo want to stick to some sort of predatory fish.

 

[minnnt]

Your LFS sounds awful jaimie!

 

[Jamie1986]

Not going to mention names minnt but checked the list of shops on this forum and it got a great write up, Just frustrating when you ask for info and get misled like that.

 

[minnnt]

Yeah i totally aggree with you mate, maybe you were just unlucky with that particular member of staff. Hope you get it sorted soon.

 

[Jamie1986]

Cheers minnt, will go back to drawing board.

 

[ian]

agree with all of the above. It's a bit of a myth about 'the fish will grow to the size of the tank' thing. The Aro will get as big as that tank. Also agree with Minnt, you need to find some better advice from your LFS.