40 breeder stocking

[Dx12]

Hi all, I have a forty gallon tank and I just can’t think of any fish when it comes to my tanks. I would like some suggestions on what I should I have in there. Preferably predatory and either a singular large fish or a few slightly smaller ones.

 

[SaraB]

Why not a pair of angelfish? A single or pair of fancy goldfish would fit...not really predators but they will eat anything smaller than them.
Giant danios are larger and you can have a school of them.
Tiger barbs are sort of a medium sized fish but they are aggressive if that's what you are looking for.

Or if you wanted a bunch of smaller ones try rummynose tetras, they have a cute red face and are a tight schooling fish.
If you like cichlids you could breed a ton of shell dwellers in there.

 

[Dx12]

Hi, thanks for the ideas but I mainly want a ruthless predator to hunt down most other fish small enough to fit in their mouths.

 

[gilpi]

I think for the type of fish you’re looking for, the 40 breeder is small. I have 12 tiger barbs in my 40 breeder. Sounds like you’re in the Oscars/big cichlids camp.

 

[SaraB]

Have you considered a pufferfish? They eat shellfish not small fish but have great personalities.

 

[Dx12]

Do they eat live fish?

 

[Dx12]

What about grass pickerel?

 

[SaraB]

Puffers don't eat live fish, they need shellfish like clams and snails and other invertebrates.
No grass pickerel get too big, they need 75g. Your options are limited with a 40g.

 

[Dx12]

Pufferfish are cool but most are rare, too small, or need brackish. Any fish that eat live as well as pellets or flakes?

 

[Dx12]

I decided to get a 55 instead of a 40, any different fish I could have in there?

 

[SaraB]

I looked into it after buying my 55g, you are better off getting a 75g. With a 75g you can get those bigger fish like Oscars or Flowerhorns which will definitely eat anything smaller than them.

 

[Dx12]

What about dwarf pike cichlids those are cool and stay pretty small