Small Predatory

[Thomas 2507]

So, I am trying to develop my own guppy strains and (I know some of you won't agree with this) would like a small predatory fish to cull unwanted fish with.

So, the fish has to be quite small, low maintenance and easy to care for.

Thanks in advance.

 

[pat3612]

Almost any small fish will eat fry why dont you jyst leave in your guppy tank mom and dad will eat them.

 

[PRW1988]

African butterfly fish, Kenyi cichlids, Convict cichlids.

 

[Thomas 2507]

Almost any small fish will eat fry why dont you jyst leave in your guppy tank mom and dad will eat them.

Yeah, but the whole point of me culling is to get a particular colour in order to develop my strains. There's no point culling fry when I can see what colour the are etc.

 

[The-Wolf]

the best way of getting rid of unwanted livebearer fry is to place the fry in a tank of danios

 

[Thomas 2507]

Yes, but I have asked for advice on a fish that will eat unwanted guppy adults - not unwanted guppy fry.

 

[Mr._Fishy]

Snakeheads (not in the US) and ambush species of puffers (arrowheads, congos, etc) will work well. Dwarf snakeheads don't need a large tank and neither do the puffers. Ambush puffers can be terribly inactive though, so if you want an active fish, look else where. African butterfly fish, wimple piranhas, and toadfish will work too. Frogfish might, but those are marine or brackish depending on the species. Those are all the small fish that I can think of that will eat an adult guppy.

Ryan

 

[the_evil_duboisi]

Ctenopma are good. Especially if you keep large ones.

Or if you like Tanganikan cichlids you could use Altolamprologus calvus or A. compresseps

 

[DarkEntity]

depending on the fish size Ctenopoma, Leaf fish, Polypterus will all eat live foods,

 

[shroob]

Depending on your water conditions and supply of guppies, I'd be tempted to try a south american leaf fish.

You didn't mention size of your tank but I here are some preds I'd like have, that wold all happily munch on guppies:
Dwarf pike (regani/comp. too small? belly crawler will do but may get too big to be considered small)
Ctenopoma acutiroste
Pike livebearer (Females get big, so go with male only)
Rainbow snakehead (might be too big depending on size of tank you have)

All I can think of now, but they will all do the job.

 

[Thomas 2507]

Okay, so far Snakeheads seem the best option but not convinced they will eat adult guppies...

 

[CFC]

any snakehead species will eat adult guppies all day long

 

[Thomas 2507]

Haha, they won't eat flake food though wll they? Would prefer a fish that will eat flake food too so don't have to spend loads on live food.

 

[beblondie]

most predatory fish won't take flake foods but heres a solution to your problem get 2 bricks place the sonn to be deceased on one and smack it with the other it will be painless for the gup,no need to feed the bricks, and cheap for you.One word of caution try not to get fingers between the bricks when in operation

 

[KraKen]

most predatory fish won't take flake foods but heres a solution to your problem get 2 bricks place the sonn to be deceased on one and smack it with the other it will be painless for the gup,no need to feed the bricks, and cheap for you.One word of caution try not to get fingers between the bricks when in operation

How can being smashed by a brick possibly be painless?