Questions about building a predator tank

[blynch002]

Hey folks,

I have a 55 gal tank that has been setup for around 9 months now. I recently procured a 20 gal tank and decided to move my peaceful fish (fire gobies, coral beauty, percula, and a fang blenny) to it and turn my 55 into a predator tank.

The questions I have about a predator tank seem simple enough. What I am most interested in knowing is choice of fish for the tank. I am interested in a lionfish (no specific species), an eel, a blue dot or saddle puffer, and any other things that you guys might deem a good fit. Another question is how do I go about feeding a tank full of agressive feeders? It seems like feeding would be an instant battle royale.

If there is any other issues I have not addressed, input is very helpful considering the amount of noobness associated with this post.

Thanks fish geniuses

 

[rubensito]

Echidna rhodochilus is a small eel that will probably work fine in that tank

 

[blynch002]

That eel doesnt quite fit into my tank parameters. It thrives in brackish conditions and requires too much feeding...any other suggestions?

 

[SantaCruzReefer]

A small lion fish, like a fuzzy dwarf. Not a volitan though, they get way too large.

 

[Stuart60611]

When you say predator tank, I assume you mean keeping non-invert or reef safe fish. In that regard, you are fairly limited to the types of fish you can keep because of the 55 gallon tank size. The more popular fowlr type fish often require a much larger tank, but you do have some options.

First, you could set up a lionfish/scorpionfish/angler type tank. These tanks typically must be species only or certain species of these fish that can co-exist without preying upon each other.

Second, you could keep a small golden dwarf moray eel, any species of toby puffer (and several different species at the same time), a small wrasse (such as christmas or hoven's wrasse), a flame hawkfish, any dwarf angel, any clownfish, several less aggressive damsels (such as yellow tail damsel), small hogfish (small species no larger than 6 inches when full grown), and a variety of combinations thereof.

These are, for the most part, all of the non-reef safe fowlr fish stocking options that I can think of which are suitable for a 55.

 

[blynch002]

Awesome info guys...that helps a lot. I like the golden dwarf and puffer and such. That sounds like it would be a great looking setup. Thanks for the ideas.

 

[namxas]

As mentioned, any of the Dendrochirus lionfish species would work well. I recommend the fuzzy dwarf (D. brachypterus), which comes in various color morphs, or D. barberi, which as an adult, is a bit more drab, but has bright red eyes upon reaching adulthood.

You could also keep any of the waspfish species, or smaller scorpionfish such as the cheekspot (Scorpaenodes littoralis) or the reef scorp (S. carribbaeus) providing you can find them.

The bristletail filefish (Acreicthys tomentosus) which can be kept singly or in pairs is also a good choice.

As far as feeding goes, it really depends on your stocking mix. For instance, several of the fish in our "small scorp" tank are target fed 3x a week to ensure that they all get the proper nutrition and share of the food. Once you get the routine down, it's pretty easy to do.

HTH

Just to give you an idea of some of the fish I mentioned...

Fuzzy Dwarf Lion

D. barberi

Red-fin waspfish

cockatoo waspfish & bristletail filefish

Cheekspot scorp

reef scorp

 

[blynch002]

So today I got my first two tank mates for the aggressive tank. I got a 12-15" chainlink eel and a humu humu picasso trigger. Both seem happy enough already with the eel have a nice little cave he is poking his head out of and the trigger is going all over the tank moving sand and making mountains.

Now that I have these two, what other types can I add? I was thinking about a rabbitfish or maybe a fuzzy dwarf lion.

 

[namxas]

Unfortunately, you've added the picasso first. It's going to be tuff to add anything else to that system without the trigger beating the snot out of it.

That 55 is gonna be pretty tight for the trigger as well as the eel eventually.

 

[blynch002]

Namxas: have you ever mixed eels with triggers and if so, any issues I should expect to deal with?

 

[namxas]

I kept a picasso with a SFE with no issues for several years, but the SFE eventually got really nasty in general.

 

[DoubleM 10]

in my standard 55gal i have

1 marine betta
2 Fuzzy lions
1 ghost ribbon eel

i love this tank. very active(accept the betta but is coming around)

all the fish have been weaned onto frozen and eat like pigs. lots or rock for them to play and hide.

i have a large skimmer to help witht he bioload and run carbon aggressivly

to forever to find he last tankmate(the eel) but im ver happy with the way it turned out

 

[blynch002]

How is that Marine Betta? I really like that fish but I was told that a 55 was too small. Does he do well in that tank?

 

[matt randazzo]

dude i love that cockatoo wasp so cute like a puppy!!!:bounce1: