Predator Tank, part Deuce - Aquarium Advice

xTylerLairx · 10-11-2009, 12:29 AM

So....for those who have been following the riveting adventures of Tyler's imaginary predator tank I have made my decision on my main fish, and the winner is!

The Red Wolf Fish

Now I need information, and you will give to to me, kkthx

I was wondering what the proper tank size would be for this, I am hoping it is around a 29 gallon, since it is going to have one or two tank makes. I was thinking a pleco, to clean, and perhaps a tank make, of a smaller grandeur. Maybe a Budis Budis? what are the options of tank makes for these little buggers?

Thanks in advance
Tyler

Etunes · 10-11-2009, 12:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by xTylerLairx

I was wondering what the proper tank size would be for this, I am hoping it is around a 29 gallon, since it is going to have one or two tank makes. I was thinking a pleco, to clean, and perhaps a tank make, of a smaller grandeur. Maybe a Budis Budis? what are the options of tank makes for these little buggers?

Thanks in advance
Tyler

umm... Pretty much no, no and no.

I want a red wolf fish and i can barely find info on them but i can tell you a 29g is way to small for sure. I am not sure about the budis budis being a good tank mate but as long as you give it places like driftwood to lurk and hunt you should be good. Also the pleco should be a fine tank mate but that fish can get HUGE and will not fit in a 29g eventually. They are also a abnormally huge bioload (they crap alot). You could go with a pleco i am guessing but go with something like a brittlenose and let it grow (wait for someone else chime in on this 1).

xTylerLairx · 10-11-2009, 01:12 AM

How big do you think a minimum for a red wolf would be? and I was thinking a Gold spot pleco or a snowball pleco for it. but that would be to alleviate algae issues, but without over feeding and too much light, that wont be an issue, perhaps I wont need it. Incase you were wodnering this tank is gonna be my pride and joy

Mudfrog · 10-11-2009, 08:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by xTylerLairx

So....for those who have been following the riveting adventures of Tyler's imaginary predator tank I have made my decision on my main fish, and the winner is!

The Red Wolf Fish

Now I need information, and you will give to to me, kkthx

I was wondering what the proper tank size would be for this, I am hoping it is around a 29 gallon, since it is going to have one or two tank makes. I was thinking a pleco, to clean, and perhaps a tank make, of a smaller grandeur. Maybe a Budis Budis? what are the options of tank makes for these little buggers?

Thanks in advance
Tyler

Ok.. a 29 gallon will not cut it. Keep in mind these guys will get to 10" TL so he would be pretty cramped. I consider an absolute minimum to be a 40g breeder, even that is to small but you could make it work if aquascaped correctly. I keep mine in a 50g breeder and (48L x 18w x 13h) and I'm considering having a 60L x 24w x 17h built for him. He is that active.

For tankmates.. stick with a bichir and catfish. The budis budis might work and this something I've been wanting to try, however, keep in mind butis butis will only reach 5", and they grow relatively slow from what I have heard. It "could" make an easy meal for the Red Wolf. Since you are just starting off with one, I would go with the Red Wolf and a catfish for a cleanup crew. A pleco as a clean up crew is a bad idea. They cause more bioload then they are worth, especially in a small tank.

xTylerLairx · 10-11-2009, 11:09 PM

Thanks Mudfrog, I was realling aiming this thread towards you, but I forgot your account name. what kind of Cat would go well with my little buddy?

Etunes · 10-11-2009, 11:16 PM

Ya, mudfrog is my predetor fish encyclopidia. I just don't have the space to do a REAL predetor tank. Another fish you might want to consider is african butterfly fish. I have owned them and they are agreat oddball (my speciality) and IMO are predetors. Also a Leapord ctenopoma is another great oddball/predetor. But neither will be good tank mates for a red wolf fish. Even though a leapord ctenopoma is better in a 55 gallon atleast. Figures i would throw out more choices.

xTylerLairx · 10-11-2009, 11:19 PM

Haha, I was actually looking at other predators but the butterfly fish creeps me out! haha, i am pretty sure i like the idea of a wolf, but what is the difference between a highfin red wolf and a rainbow wolf?

Mudfrog · 10-12-2009, 08:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by xTylerLairx

Thanks Mudfrog, I was realling aiming this thread towards you, but I forgot your account name. what kind of Cat would go well with my little buddy?

Any type of catfish that will either hide majority of the time or be large enough not to get eaten. I use Raphaels. I'm in search of some Jaguar cats but these are hard to find.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Etunes

Ya, mudfrog is my predetor fish encyclopidia. I just don't have the space to do a REAL predetor tank. Another fish you might want to consider is african butterfly fish. I have owned them and they are agreat oddball (my speciality) and IMO are predetors. Also a Leapord ctenopoma is another great oddball/predetor. But neither will be good tank mates for a red wolf fish. Even though a leapord ctenopoma is better in a 55 gallon atleast. Figures i would throw out more choices.

Butterfly fish are predators although they won't work with a wolf.. I tried two with mine and they did not last the night..

If you can find a leapord ctenopoma that is large enough it would most likely work, my LFS had one yesterday around 5"+, I wasn't about to pay $60 for it though

Quote:

Originally Posted by xTylerLairx

Haha, I was actually looking at other predators but the butterfly fish creeps me out! haha, i am pretty sure i like the idea of a wolf, but what is the difference between a highfin red wolf and a rainbow wolf?

There really isn't a difference as the common name is used loosely. There are two types of Red Wolves though. Erythrinus erythinrus and Erythinus Sp. Peru. The difference is the coloring. The Ery ery (what I have) has more orange on the fins and less on the body, the Ery Sp Peru has more orange on the body and less on the fins. Both get to about the same size and have the same characteristics.

xTylerLairx · 10-12-2009, 10:27 AM

I have 2 Raphs in my other tank, I dunno if I want them around in my other one. I need somone I am gonna see more, haha. Do the Jaguars need to be kept in groups, or can they solo? I am good friends with the owner of our LFS and he orders specifically for me

Mudfrog · 10-12-2009, 10:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by xTylerLairx

I have 2 Raphs in my other tank, I dunno if I want them around in my other one. I need somone I am gonna see more, haha. Do the Jaguars need to be kept in groups, or can they solo? I am good friends with the owner of our LFS and he orders specifically for me

I believe Jags have to be imported.. groups of 2 or more maybe.. and they hide all the time as well.

Try a Synodontis eupterus then.. Featherfin Catfish. They will get large enough, can hold their own in a fight and typically hide but not too much.