Planted Predator Tank

[CalvusAtx]

I have a 75 gallon heavily planted tank that currently houses some azuma goldfish fry, but I want to change it up. I'm considering a small lf oscar, one of the smaller bichirs and maybe a pair of blood parrots or severum. If anyone has any experience and/or could suggest some different options along these lines, I'm happy to experiment in my tank. Thanks!

 

[abrahamavelar]

White calvus or any calvus they do good in planted tanks n r predators

 

[jetajockey]

Redfin or grass pickerel would be a cool addition to a predator tank.

 

[CalvusAtx]

I have calvus in my Tanganyika tanks, and they are great fish, but notoriously SLOW growers... plus I'm not sure how the plants I have would feel about the ph in Tanganyikan water.

The pickerel are cool looking, but I don't know that they could handle the temps an oscar needs.

 

[jetajockey]

What temp do you believe oscars need? They aren't really that picky.

 

[CalvusAtx]

74 plus, right? And I thought most native species needed a chiller and lower temps... my coldwater aquariums in the house stay at about 68.

 

[abrahamavelar]

Also calvus do good in alot or water ranges and you could get them midium size they will breed nicely if u get plants in ive seen it happening

 

[jetajockey]

I keep pickerel in upper 70s, I've caught them wild in different temperature ranges, everything from low 70s to even low 80s.

 

[CalvusAtx]

Oh very cool! Are they easy to come by? How aggressive? Would they do well with an oscar and a bichir?

 

[abrahamavelar]

Or u could get a snake head they r the top predator cool colors.when young n cool lookin as an adult

 

[jetajockey]

They pretty much just hover near the top of the tank motionless until something edible hits the water. They can be trained onto pellets, but it takes time. They are somewhat uncommon, some of the native fish retailers have them seasonally. I don't know if any are in your area locally, I don't have my field guide so I can't look at the range maps.

I think they'd be fine with an Oscar if one isn't too big to eat the other.

 

[abrahamavelar]

You could always look online for them

 

[CalvusAtx]

Snakeheads are illegal in TX... But they are definitely cool fish.

 

[CalvusAtx]

I'll look on aquabid, definately let me know if you see any for sale.

 

[abrahamavelar]

Awhile back when I live in south fl we used to fish them from canals or buy them at pet stores

 

[CalvusAtx]

I haven't seen any native fish for sale here in Texas. I used to see native fish (not to mention alligators) for sale all the time in Arkansas, but nothing here. Do the pickerel breed easily in aquaria?

 

[jetajockey]

I've never attempted to breed mine. I only have one small adult currently, every time I get any in they sell really fast.

 

[CalvusAtx]

Well, the next time you have some for sale, please let me know... I'd be interested in one or two at 2-3". That is if you don't mind shipping.

 

[CalvusAtx]

Now you have me thinking about Natives... I'd honestly never really considered them, but I'm looking around and some are as beautiful as cichlids and just as interesting... Anyone know where to find info on setting up a US Native community in a planted tank? Lepomis megalotis is particularly interesting, but it looks like it may be a species that digs.

 

[jetajockey]

nanfa.org is a good resource for keeping natives in aquaria. Pumpkinseeds, warmouth, and dollar sunfish are some of my favorites.