Any experience with a Big Eye Squirrel?

[WienerDog]

Saw a really nice one yesterday. Not sure about their demeanor other than what I've read. I am keeping a 90g FOWLR.

 

[lhm nole]

They eat like pigs will stay hidden the majority of the time will only see them poke a head out here and there but will come out some after time, not prone to disease and near impossible to kill

 

[Gogandantess]

They'll get way too big for your 90g. Saw one at my LFS that's kept in a small pond. It was bout 10" or so.

 

[jmccown]

Mine is out all the time. They are ugly... I would give mine away if someone wanted it.

 

[ackee]

One of my favorite fish. I've kept more than a dozen of them over the past 30+ years, all collected by me in NJ as gorgeous little quarter sized juveniles. If an aquarium provides enough good hiding places and is not too brightly lighted, they quickly become very bold and are constantly seeking food. They are smart, and literally will beg for food when humans approach the aquarium. After a year the ones I've kept are about 5 inches long, and about 8 inches and quite hefty after two years. Anything under 200 gallons is far too small, and even an aquarium of that size eventually becomes crowded by one of these beautiful creatures. See my Public Profile for a few Bigeye pictures.

Because they are Gulf Stream strays up here, releasing them locally is out of the question. They are normally found in very deep water (hence the big eyes and red color) much further south. The last few I've had wound up in public aquaria with which I have long relationships. Along with Lookdowns I will, with regret, probably greatly limit any future collecting of Bigeyes. They are a beautiful and fascinating fish.

 

[Monkeyfish]

How are these fish with smaller passive fish? Would they eat anthias or fairy wrasses?

 

[jmccown]

yes, if they are small enough to fit in their mouth...goner.

 

[WienerDog]

One of my favorite fish. I've kept more than a dozen of them over the past 30+ years, all collected by me in NJ as gorgeous little quarter sized juveniles. If an aquarium provides enough good hiding places and is not too brightly lighted, they quickly become very bold and are constantly seeking food. They are smart, and literally will beg for food when humans approach the aquarium. After a year the ones I've kept are about 5 inches long, and about 8 inches and quite hefty after two years. Anything under 200 gallons is far too small, and even an aquarium of that size eventually becomes crowded by one of these beautiful creatures. See my Public Profile for a few Bigeye pictures.

Because they are Gulf Stream strays up here, releasing them locally is out of the question. They are normally found in very deep water (hence the big eyes and red color) much further south. The last few I've had wound up in public aquaria with which I have long relationships. Along with Lookdowns I will, with regret, probably greatly limit any future collecting of Bigeyes. They are a beautiful and fascinating fish.

Thank you for the info. I was curious because they seem to have a personality.