Coldwater Predator Fish

[michaelh]

Hi again guys. Just wondered if any coldwater real predator fish existed and what size tank they would need. Any info on favorite foods would be pretty cool to know. Thanks

 

[kizno1]

Theres things like Zanda, Pike, Perch and Ruffe. Pike a Zandas would get way to big for your average home aquarium though. Perch you could probably get away with a small group on a 200G but bigger the better. The Ruffes you could keep a group in something about 50G+ but good luck finding them, I think the only way to get them is to catch them and there not that common at all. Since there predators and there probably going to have to be wild caught favorite foods would be live fish (not feeders or goldfish like you get from your lfs though) You might be able to get them onto dead fish and prawns but i dont think it will be very easy so be prepared to have to feed live if you go down that root.

 

[michaelh]

Hhmmm.... Thanks kizno. What about anything that would live in like 40litres or less on its own?

 

[kizno1]

Nothing thats truly predatory springs to mind but there are fish that would eat fry and bits but there not real preds. If you went tropical something like African butterfly fish would work.

 

[michaelh]

Not big on the idea of tropical (lovley fish though). I would lovea coldwater fish thati could feed livefoods bigger than baby brine shrimp ect.

 

[kizno1]

Hmm i really cant think of much that would work in a 40-l. Stuff like Badis, Hara, Akysis would work coldwater if its about 20-22C but they arent really predators. What puts you off going tropical? Its really not any harder than coldwater.

 

[michaelh]

Mainly just i dont already have a heater, partly i really llike coldwater fish, however some of the suggested fish and snakeheads may just be enough to change my mind slightly. Somthing to think about maybe...

 

[kizno1]

Most snakeheads can live at room temp but yo will need a min of about 120l to keep them. Going tropical would open your options up alot.

 

[markandhisfish]

Most snakeheads can live at room temp but yo will need a min of about 120l to keep them. Going tropical would open your options up alot.

if you do decide to go down the snakehead route be very careful which ones you get , there are some smaller species , but also some that are real monsters too .

 

[michaelh]

I also hear they hare quite specific with water conditions ect.
Back to origional point though, not much on the cold water side then

 

[michaelh]

Double post :\

 

[kizno1]

I also hear they hare quite specific with water conditions ect.
Back to origional point though, not much on the cold water side then

I dont think there that bad actually. From what ive heard they arnt keen on water changes so most people recommend good (but not to strong) Filtration and only monthly water changes but obviously they still dont like any ammonia and bits but then nor does any fish. If you went for one of the smaller types like channa ornatipinnis or channa orientalis then i think a pair would be fine in a 30G.

Not that i can think of. There are fish that would work and would take fry given the chance but nothing that i can think of that is really predatory and will hunt other fish.

 

[michaelh]

What a shame. Wonder What are the chances of coaching a large goldfish to eat minnows.... Lol

Well thats a real shame

 

[kizno1]

Haha. What sort of temp is your house?
If its around 22c and you could get a 70l tank a Frogmouth catfish/Chaca chaca or Chaca bankanensis would work and they are likely to take guppies. Sometimes they can be turned onto frozen or dried foods but most only accept live.

 

[michaelh]

Just reading a bit on frogmouth catfish, C. Chaca reach no more than 8", would the approximate rule of 1"/gallon apply here?