Monster Fish (thalassophryne Amazonica)

[GobyMaster]

Hello, its been a while since I last posted here, and I recently aquired a 30 gallon long tank, and after reading some recent post on the site, I'm interested in Thalassophryne amazonica, or the Monster Fish.
Am I correct in thinking that these fish grow to about 6" and one can be kept in a 30 gallon?

And I was also wondering about tankmates.
I know that these are highly piscivorous, so fairly large or robust tankmates will be needed. I was thinking some along the lines of the following:

• 1 Peckoltia angelicus or L-05
• 1 Senegal Bichir or Palmas Bichir (Polypterus palmus)

Would that work, or would the fish attempt to eat them?

Thanks for any information,
Cheers,
GobyMaster

 

[Mr._Fishy]

I have never kept them, but I have had a frogfish (similar size and shape) eat a moray (similar shape to a bichir) 1.5 times its size! So I would be very cautious as to the size difference of the two fish. I do not know about the pleco.

Ryan

 

[darknirvana217]

The Thalassophryne amazonica get to a size of about 4-6 inches. They are soft water fish, but I've read they can be adapted well to more akaline hard water. Its a very shy nocturnal species, but it is predaroty, and will eat anything small enough to fit into its mouth. They need to have a tank at least 24 inches long and about 8 inches deep for a pair, with a thick sandy substrate, because they bury themselves deep in the sand. You do need to be careful with this species because like others in its family Batrachoididae, they are venomous. Though not highly toxic to humans, it can be dangerous if not fatal if you have an allergy to this fishes poison, so you need to handle it with care. And like CFC said on my post, they are not aggressive and you practically have to force feed these guys. I doubt it could eat the bichirs or plecos, but a fish like this is probably best kept in a species tank with a small group of them.

 

[Fella]

I've never seen one for sale, and have been looking. good luck.

 

[Straydum]

i saw one at the shop just now. had me glued to the tank for quite awhile

 

[toddnbecka]

Hewre you go, arriving Tuesday: http/www.petfish.net/forum/index.php/topic,66385.0.html

 

[GobyMaster]

Sweet. I'll look into it.
Thanks,
GobyMaster

 

[clutchxr]

Just heard of and seen a few of these at the local store. I might start another tank and get a couple.