aggressive tankmates ideas

[fl_izzy]

hi,
i have a 90g non-aggressive tank and plan on setting up a 44g pentagon next to it with all aggressive fish. my first choice is a lionfish. what other animals can go in there with him? max amount of buddies for that size tank? a few combinations of fish would be nice to choose from. thanks for any input. btw i plan on using my sump on the 90g to minimize additional things to buy. nelson

 

[johno4]

Whats being stocked the 90 or the 44?

 

[fl_izzy]

the 44g is the predator tank. i will be sharing the sump currently used for the 90g.

 

[DamnPepShrimp]

Id say a dwarf lion, maybe a dwarf angel or a pair of jawfish?44g pentagon tank is an odd shape and not the greatest for most fish. It would be excellent for lions, they like shelves and caves of rock to hide on.

 

[fl_izzy]

ouch, then i might have to reconsider my idea. i dont like the dward lion. i like the volitan,radiata and blackfoot, but they might get too big for a 44g right? water quality should not be a problem since it will use my 29g sump that is used by the 90g. no small enough eels to go in there with it?

 

[LisaD]

You could set up your tank with a pendant MH, with kind of a reef island in the middle, with one or more bubble tip anemones and a pair or trio of clownfish. There aren't many fish more aggressive than mated clownfish defending their anemone...

I have a 44 pent, and found it didn't work out too well for most aggressives. The volitan, radiata and blackfoot would all outgrow the 44. (BTW, I have never had any success with the blackfoot, aka blue fin lionfish, and don't know anyone who has.) The fu manchu lion, while a bit delicate, resembles the blackfoot somewhat in behavior and appearance, and is a fine size for that tank.

Here is another suggestion:

Green wolf eel blenny (not an eel or blenny, more of a dottyback relative) - they are supposed to get 18", but mine, which I've had about three years, is only about 9 or 10" - cool personality, cool eyes, so ugly it's "cute"

Pair or trio Hawaiian leaf fish - very cool looking, don't need a lot of space, hardy - may need live food (mine never took frozen - I feed 1-2X per week on ghost shrimp and guppies (gut loaded)

Royal gramma (for color) - a larger one so the wolf eel won't be tempted... they can stand up for themselves pretty well.

I think this would be a neat set-up. I have these fish (plus a few more) in my 55.

 

[fl_izzy]

thanks for the ideas LisaD. i might not do this tank after all then. i do have clowns in my 90g with a haddoni anemone. had a gramma before but it died(long story) other tank. i wa just trying to do a different type of tank with something that you normally cant keep with reefsafe buddies or inverts. you know a nice mean killer. my kids have been asking for a predatory tank and i gave in. not like i ming other tanks in the house(other than the wife saying, another tank?!!)