Predator Tank

[GetItSahn]

I have only been keeping fish for a few months now but I'm hooked! I have been planning in my head what I want my next tank to be. I was between a predatory fish tank or a breeding tank but I have now decided on the predatory tank. I am planning WAY AHEAD here but that's kinda how I am.
 
The first fish that caught my eye was a ctenopoma i believe? It's called a spotted african leaf fish at the store but referred to as a leopard bushfish. I love the way the fish looked and I immediately fell for it. This is definitely my first choice. I don't know if this is truly a predatory fish but I know it eats the bajeezus out of some ghost shrimp.
 
I plan to get a 29 gallon tank, not sure on substrate with an AquaClear 50 hang on back filter. I want to know if anyone has suggestions on a good predatory fish that fits comfortably in a 29 gallon. I'm open to a group of smaller fish or a single, large fish. Are there reasons why i shouldn't get the leaf fish?
 
I'd love to hear any and all suggestions you might have. To help narrow it down, I don't plan on upgrading to a larger tank anytime soon so I'd prefer fish that could fully grow in a 29.

 

[Ninjouzata]

Not quite sure myself, but this thread had a lot of good suggestions, me thinks: http/www.fishforums.net/index.php?/topic/423219-20g-high-predatory-options/#entry3578787

 

[BerryAttack]

leaf fish are very specific on pH levels, and are finicky fish. 
if you do get one.. in the future a tip, only give guppy (fish wise) only one at a time.. if you add multiple, because they are scared they will pee and raise the ammonia levels a lot, and that will affect the leaf fish.

 

[Zante]

A pair of ceylon snakeheads would fit very nicely in 29 gallons.
 
As for the substrate consider garden soil.

 

[DerpPH]

Hm.. Which would you prefer predators, planted or both? I can suggest ctenopema or any other smaller predators. many cichlids are also piscivorous in nature.

 

[Zante]

here's a video with ceylon snakehead juveniles (channa orientalis)
http/www.youtube.com/watch?v=V4VRxFDb3qk

 

[DerpPH]

Snakeheads like it planted since they are anabantoids. Relatives of bettas, ctenopemas and gouramis

 

[Zante]

Yup. That is why I like them as predators.
Plants are very decoratice and excellent natural filters. A predator that isn't destructive to them like many medium and large cichlids is a bonus.
 
Also they have interesting breeding behaviours.
 
They are mouthbrooders, and once the male releases the fry, the female feeds them by swimming above then and releasing unfertilized eggs.

 

[fluttermoth]

Oh, they're marvellous!
 
That's the second new fish species I've been introduced to on here today, and I want them both 

 

[GetItSahn]

I would love to be able to have a predator in a planted tank. I live in Virginia and snakeheads are very frowned upon here and considered a nuisance invasive species. I don't think i'd be able to keep those. I'm pretty sure it's illegal, I know the northern snakehead are illegal here.
 
I really like the ctenopema and I have considered cichilids but I was under the impression they are an advanced fish and require alot of experience, is this true?

 

[Zante]

Channa orientalis is a fully tropical species. They will not survive in non-tropical water.

 

[GetItSahn]

Channa orientalis is a fully tropical species. They will not survive in non-tropical water.

That may be the case but where I live the law says that any snakehead species in your possession must be killed...So no form of snakehead is possible here.
Now i'm back to finding a new predator besides snakeheads 

 

[Zante]

Pair of firemouths?

 

[GetItSahn]

Pair of firemouths?

Not familiar with that fish, is it a cichlid?

 

[Zante]

Yup.