Compatible Aggressive Species

[alex818]

Hi everyone!

Ok, here's my situation...

Im an novice/intermediate fish keeper...
I have a 37 gal tank 30x12x22 (if im not mistaking) and all accessories...

From what I've seen from visits to various pet shops and photos, in my opinion, freshwater aggressive and semi-aggressive species fish are among the most attractive.

Does anyone have a good list of compatible aggressive or semi-aggressives?

I prefer fish that are brightly colored, or unique in shape... any suggestions?

Thanks to all in advance

 

[Eelzor]

all i know is rainbow sharks are aggressive and they can only live as one rainbow shark in a tank, adding a few other big fish will match well. but the big fish can't be aggressive (from what i know)

 

[Squimps]

I suggest that you start looking into cichlids. I wont offer any specific choices right now because there are too many choices and variables. Go look at various resources on cichlids, find some fish that appeals to you and do lots of research. I was originally going to develope an African cichlid tank because they have some species that rival some saltwater fish in color but I ultimately ended up with a community tank with a couple of South American species instead.

Most cichlids, although very attractive and interesting, have very complex social and behavioral issues to consider. It basically depends on how much effort you want to put into developing, maintaining, and policing your tank. It seems that you want aggressive types of fish because of their appearance and not because of their personality. I caution people who want an "aggressive" species just for the sake of the drama and excitement it would bring to the tank. You can easily get more than you bargained for in this situation and end up more frustrated than fascinated.

 

[AndrewRenard]

CONVICTS ALL THE WAY!

 

[smb]

You can't get any of the big boys in the cichlid world with a 37g tank but there are still a few possibilities.

Like AndrewRenard mentioned, a breeding pair of cons will be a match for any fish. They will actually fight, and win, against fish twice their size while protecting their fry... or die trying and that's perfectly fine for them. They are terrors when breeding. They get to 5-6".

Neetroplus nematopus (Neets) are another. These guys fear noone. They get to 2-3".

And, imo, the baddest and meanest of all the "minis"- Nandopsis salvini. (Salvini's or Salvins Cichlid)

They are mini-guapotes and will liquidate anything it can especially if breeding. They (almost) have the quickness of Mbunas and make no qualms about showing it.

There are a few Africans that are meaner than all get out that you can get also-

Melanochromis chipokae. IMO, inch for inch the baddest fish that lives.

Melanochromis auratus. Another baddy.

Pseudotropheus lombardoi. Same as above.

If you go with Mbunas you can put 10-12 in your tank but with CA/SA's you can't put more than a couple in there. They don't level off their aggression like Africans when they are crowded. They are the opposite and get more aggro.


I'll move this to the Cichlid Forum so others that don't like aggro fish don't have to read this and you might get better responses from people in there.

 

[skiltrip]

I also have a 37 gallon tank, and when i started it, i wanted pretty much what you said you wanted... bigger fish, prettier fish, and from what i read they were obviously going to be more aggressive too.

I'll tell you what I have, and everyone is living together just find right now...

1 Firemouth Cichlid (currently the most respected fish in the tank. he doesn't bother anyone else, and they all know not to bother him. also very beautiful.)

5 Tiger Barbs (playing guys, not aggressive toward the other fish, they keep to chasing each other around)

1 Redtail Shark (he's still a baby. he pretty much keeps to himself, and again, no one messes with him, and he messes with no one else. we'll see when he gets bigger, but i imagine him growing up with his tank mates, he won't get too aggressive with them)

2 Rosy Barbs (these barbs hardly know there are other fish in the tank. they swim they eat, and that's about it. really simple fish)

1 Cuckoo Catfish (he's still little too. this catfish is beautiful. he holds his own. he took over the firemouths cave when i introduced him to the tank. but the firemouth kind of accepted it (he never used it anyway).)

Hope that helps you some. I really think getting a firemouth is a safe bet. they are interesting, beautiful, and aren't too overly aggressive. you'll still have a lot of options with the firemouth.

if you want to know anything else about my tank, you can email me at skiltrip@yahoo.com

- kip

 

[smb]

That's definately a beautiful tank, skiltrip. You did a great job and I can see you did your homework before you bought them and most people dont. I like that tank.

But it's not an aggro tank tho like he was asking about. Don't get me wrong, I'm not saying which tank is better or not, that's only personal preference but it doesn't have any aggressive fish in it like he was asking about. But a great tank nonetheless. I hope you take it that way.

 

[Squimps]

Hey smb, reread his original post. His desire for an agressive species seems to be because of the fact that they tend to be the most attractive types of fish physically. He doesn't seem to be interested in the agression for agression's sake. Am I interpreting that correctly, alex? By the way, I'll second the vote for the firemouth. I have a single male sharing an 80 gallon community tank with a pair of German Blue Rams and about 25 other fish. All is well in the neighborhood and the Firemouth and Rams are showing some really nice color!

 

[smb]

Hey smb, reread his original post. His desire for an agressive species seems to be because of the fact that they tend to be the most attractive types of fish physically. He doesn't seem to be interested in the agression for agression's sake.

You're correct Squimps. I was only thinking aggressive fish for whatever reason I don't know? Thanks for the headsup.

 

[alex818]

I want to thank everyone for their advice. This is by far the best forum I've visited due to the fact that there are so many nice people here. Yes Squimps, im mainly interested in color and uniqueness physically. I just want to keep nice looking fish that dont look like feeder goldfish (not to offend anybody). I looked up the fish that you all listed and they're pretty nice... Ive been doing alot of thinking and I think im just going to stick with a community tank.

Tell me what you think:

2 or 3 tiger barbs
2 angelfish
1 firemouth
1 Cuckoo Catfish (im assuming thats a bottom feeder)
2 clown loaches
1 gourami
1 beta

(I think redtail blacksharks are nice too)

Thats all I can think of for now... is that alot?

Oh by the way.. has anyone ever heard of a blue lobster? its supposed to be fresh water. How about Ghost shrimp? are those any good?

 

[Pufferpack]

Here is a link to some of the more colorful Cichlids we keep at this time, none of them get over 6 inches so should work in a 37 gal tank.

Colorful Cichlids

edit: Blue lobsters are a variety of FW crayfish that would love the oportunity to snack on slow fish ...and Ghost shrimp are great, our Cichlids eat them like candy

 

[cichlidmaster]

My 0.02 worth...............

Angelfish/betta's do not mix with tiger barbs!! Tiger barbs are nippy little cusses and may end up shredding the angels/ bettas fins.

Angels/bettas do not mix well. A male betta will mistake the angel for another male betta (due to the long fins) and may very well attack it as tho it were another male betta.

Tiger barbs should be kept in larger groups than 2-3 to space out their aggressiveness.....6-8 is good.

You may want to keep these things in mind when chosing tankmates.

CM

 

[Squimps]

Here's something else to think about. Clown loaches are nice looking fish but they can get up to a foot long; they will outgrow your capacity to keep them comfortably. Try looking at the Yoyo or Zebra loach . I have a great looking Yoyo in my tank and he's going to reach a maximum size of 4" or so. I also highly recommend a small little school of cory cats. Put in about three or so of your favorite type and watch them scurry about and clean up the uneaten bits of food. I have a few Julii Corys and I really enjoy their antics. And while we're on the subject of cleaning I must recommend the Otocinclus Affinis. I think this is one of the most underated fish there is. I have a single one in my 80 gallon and he keeps it almost totally free of algae. I clean the glass from time to time with a magnet but he keeps all of the ornaments ship-shape. Everyone else seems to get hung up on the bristlenose for cleaning their tank but I prefer these guys because they only get about two inches long and are more attractive to me than the bristlenose.

 

[skiltrip]

SMB:

That's definately a beautiful tank, skiltrip. You did a great job and I can see you did your homework before you bought them and most people dont. I like that tank.

But it's not an aggro tank tho like he was asking about. Don't get me wrong, I'm not saying which tank is better or not, that's only personal preference but it doesn't have any aggressive fish in it like he was asking about. But a great tank nonetheless. I hope you take it that way.

Thanks SMB! Thanks for the compliment. I just posted some new pics of the firemouth and some of the other fish in the Pictures section of the forum.

check them out!

i spend wayyy too much time reading about fish and what's good for them, and who they get along with, etc.

thanks again!

- kip

 

[skiltrip]

Alex:

Tell me what you think:

2 or 3 tiger barbs
2 angelfish
1 firemouth
1 Cuckoo Catfish (im assuming thats a bottom feeder)
2 clown loaches
1 gourami
1 beta

(I think redtail blacksharks are nice too)

Thats all I can think of for now... is that alot?

Oh by the way.. has anyone ever heard of a blue lobster? its supposed to be fresh water. How about Ghost shrimp? are those any good?

Like some other people have said, I'd definitely increase the number of tiger barbs to at least 4, perhaps 5. Do realize they can be a pain because of the extent to which they nip each other and at other fish too. They actually ended up kiling one of their fellow tiger barbs a couple months back. He was just so nipped and beat up. They never accepted him. the 5 i have now however, are getting along just fine.

I don't have Angelfish, but from what I know, you'll have to be very careful with what else you have in the tank. for example, you don't want the tiger barbs in there with them. they will be victims of the nippage.

the cuckoo catfish is a bottom feeder, he likes algae and leftover food too. he will grow to 6" max. he's pretty aggressive himself, but only defensively. even though he's only 1.5" right now, he's already gone head to head with my firemouth (which is about 3.5" right now) and showed him he's not to be messed with.

The clown loaches, yes, get way too big for the 37 gallon tank. so you definitely can't afford to keep them in there. you will have to give them up when they get bigger.

get a firemouth though!! yes yes! i also love my redtail shark, and they don't get all THAT big. 4" or so.


- kip