Great Predatory Fish For 20 Gallon Tank

[hotdogoramer]

you are correct on all counts sir.

yes, they are suitable for a 20g tank.
yes, they do grow to be an average of 3".
and yes, this amazing little monotypic characin is very much like a "mini piranha", except much more active.

if you can somehow get your hands on them, you will not be disappointed.

Thanks for the great suggestion.
I gues i have to change my mind on puffers, instead will get a bunch of EXODON PARADOXUS. They are great i saw a bunch of videos of them. How many can i keep?? i saw a 20 gal tank like mine with about 35 of them.

the number you keep is really dependent on the amount of work you are going to put into it.

initially, i would only suggest a shoal of 10. no more no less.
however, with better filtration, and a steady WC schedule, it is possible to house more in that tank. it will require quite a bit more care to do it successfully, and generally is not suggested. especially if you are just getting into the species and dont have experience with them.

i have a few videos of my different exodon tanks on youtube.

They are beautiful fish, and i like your setup in the video. If i keep 10 what can i feed them? and can i keep corys for cleanup crew?

 

[bitteraspects]

they will eat just about anything you feed them. from live and frozen foods, to prepared pellets and flakes. i feed mine many different kinds of foods, but i do not use live feeders for any of my fish.

as far as the cory's. id say no for now. it is possible, but its not as easyt as just adding them to the tank. youre better off with a species only tank for now, with regular WC and vacuuming for clean up

 

[hotdogoramer]

they will eat just about anything you feed them. from live and frozen foods, to prepared pellets and flakes. i feed mine many different kinds of foods, but i do not use live feeders for any of my fish.

as far as the cory's. id say no for now. it is possible, but its not as easyt as just adding them to the tank. youre better off with a species only tank for now, with regular WC and vacuuming for clean up

Ok so species only tank, and do they have any specific needs for water quality and tank setup? And do they have teeth, I have a toddler in the house

 

[bitteraspects]

they do have teeth, but they are very small. nothing to worry about with your child. they wont attach her or antything. to human flesh, it almost feels like rough sandpaper

 

[hotdogoramer]

What about tank setup and water conditions??
Thanks very much for helping out.

 

[AdAndrews]

They do look pretty cool, i will look into it, cheers mate

Adam

 

[bitteraspects]

What about tank setup and water conditions??
Thanks very much for helping out.

78-82F
PH 5.7-6.2 (this is a tough species that is commonly seen @ 7 in home aquatiums with no problems)

se up is really at your discretion. a proper biotop would be the best, but anything vrom bare bottom to fully planted will work.

 

[hotdogoramer]

Nicee. I like these fish, but now i have to find them.

 

[bitteraspects]

Yeah, they can be tough to get a hold of, and a bit pricey, but well worth it. I now have over 300 pieces, and always looking for more.

 

[hotdogoramer]

How did you get a hold of yours? which country do you live in?

 

[loraxchick]

ill keep my eye out for some around here and let you know where and how much should i rum into them

 

[hotdogoramer]

ill keep my eye out for some around here and let you know where and how much should i rum into them

Thanks, that would would be great. I haven't found any on my own yet. I don't want to get any from online though, cuz i have had bad experiences with mailed fish.

 

[bitteraspects]

How did you get a hold of yours? which country do you live in?

im also in the US, out in hawaii.
its actually quite a bit tougher to get fish out here then most places due to our strict importation regulations and natural species protection acts.
i had mine imported either through a friend locally, or through the LFS.
your best bet is to get in contact with a couple of your local fish shops and ask them to contact their suppliers about these fish. it may take a little while for them to locate them, as they are not very common in the hobby.
there are many reasons its better to go through your LFS, so create a rapport with your local shops, and everybody wins.

trust me, its well worth the wait. it took me a little while to get ahold of my first group of 10, but i was instantly "hooked". lol.
i now have over 300, and always looking for more.

 

[M.R Otter]

a predatory fish for a 20 gallon tank..... why don't you add a shoal of Arapaima, silver arrowana or a shoal of Candiro Asu in it..... don't tell me you don't know what is the candiro asu it is a very viciouse, meat eating carnivour that is know to eat it's victim inside out (much more blood thirsty than a piranha)

 

[hotdogoramer]

a predatory fish for a 20 gallon tank..... why don't you add a shoal of Arapaima, silver arrowana or a shoal of Candiro Asu in it..... don't tell me you don't know what is the candiro asu it is a very viciouse, meat eating carnivour that is know to eat it's victim inside out (much more blood thirsty than a piranha)

candiro asu is the weirdest fish i have ever heard of lol. It even goes inside humans to eat them inside out. All the other fish are too big to add to my tank