I want a predatory tank

[William Chiavetta]

I want to set up a predatory tank and I want some opinions on my stock list. I want an eel and or a ray or shark but don't really know much about them. I also would like to know how big this tank should be. I don't think anything above 300 is feasible
-porcupine puffer
-fuzzy dwarf lionfish
-picasso triggerfish
-harlequin tusk
-panther grouper
-emperor angel

 

[littlefoxx]

I want to set up a predatory tank and I want some opinions on my stock list. I want an eel and or a ray or shark but don't really know much about them. I also would like to know how big this tank should be. I don't think anything above 300 is feasible
-porcupine puffer
-fuzzy dwarf lionfish
-picasso triggerfish
-harlequin tusk
-panther grouper
-emperor angel

Shark and ray need way larger tanks long term, especially together. The tusk is probably too shy for this setup. I had a juvenile french angel kill mine a few weeks ago, and emperors are more aggressive than french angels. What kind of eel?

 

[William Chiavetta]

Shark and ray need way larger tanks long term, especially together. The tusk is probably too shy for this setup. I had a juvenile french angel kill mine a few weeks ago, and emperors are more aggressive than french angels. What kind of eel?

idk what kind of eel. Do you have any suggestions? Would a bamboo shark work?

 

[littlefoxx]

I dont think so, I have a 8 foot 300 now and from what Ive research says even thats too small as some can be up to 4 feet and thats half the length and double the width of the tank. I decided not to go with the shark for that reason but I donr know honestly

 

[ISpeakForTheSeas]

idk what kind of eel. Do you have any suggestions? Would a bamboo shark work?

Sharks and stingrays aren't my thing, so not sure there, but for eels, I'm personally a fan of the pebbletooth eels - zebra eels, chainlink, skeletor, snowflake, etc.

If you'd prefer a fangtooth eel, then you'd probably want to get one that's somewhat docile (comparatively), as some of the more aggressive ones reportedly can't really be kept with anything else. I haven't looked into these as much, but you could probably do - dragon eels and banana/fire coral eels would be my personal suggestions for a large but not huge tank.

That said, I'm not sure how well a panther grouper would do with eels - that may be something to ask about, as panther groupers get large and eels are a pretty easy to swallow body shape (so a big grouper with a small eel may be a bad combo; I'd see if anyone knows for sure to be safe).

 

[fishywishy]

The only feasible sharks are epaulette sharks and coral cat sharks. A coral cat needs a minimum 180 gallon and the epaulette probably needs 200-300 gallons.

The best stingray to get would be a Cortez ray, they get around a foot long and they would probably need at least 180 but there’s a good chance it will out grow it.

i wouldn’t get the panther grouper because you would need at least a 300g and there’s a good chance it will outgrow that to, they would do best in a saltwater pond.

If you don’t get the panther you would really only need a 180 gallon for those fish, but if you do you would have to get a 300g if you plan on keeping the panther for it’s whole life.

 

[littlefoxx]

Regarding shark tank size:

 

[eelman07]

Zebra Eelʻs are awesome, mine is doing great in my 225 gallon and doesnt mess with any fish

 

[William Chiavetta]

The only feasible sharks are epaulette sharks and coral cat sharks. A coral cat needs a minimum 180 gallon and the epaulette probably needs 200-300 gallons.

The best stingray to get would be a Cortez ray, they get around a foot long and they would probably need at least 180 but there’s a good chance it will out grow it.

i wouldn’t get the panther grouper because you would need at least a 300g and there’s a good chance it will outgrow that to, they would do best in a saltwater pond.

If you don’t get the panther you would really only need a 180 gallon for those fish, but if you do you would have to get a 300g if you plan on keeping the panther for it’s whole life.

Do you think any grouper would be better? Goliath? lol

 

[William Chiavetta]

I want to set up a predatory tank and I want some opinions on my stock list. I want an eel and or a ray or shark but don't really know much about them. I also would like to know how big this tank should be. I don't think anything above 300 is feasible
-porcupine puffer
-fuzzy dwarf lionfish
-picasso triggerfish
-harlequin tusk
-panther grouper
-emperor angel

My new list:
-porcupine puffer
-fuzzy dwarf lion
-picasso trigger
-harlequin tusk
-emperor angelfish
-zebra eel
-african hind grouper or panther grouper

 

[William Chiavetta]

Zebra Eelʻs are awesome, mine is doing great in my 225 gallon and doesnt mess with any fish

added to the list ;)

 

[Rusty_L_Shackleford]

Sharks and stingrays aren't my thing, so not sure there, but for eels, I'm personally a fan of the pebbletooth eels - zebra eels, chainlink, skeletor, snowflake, etc.

If you'd prefer a fangtooth eel, then you'd probably want to get one that's somewhat docile (comparatively), as some of the more aggressive ones reportedly can't really be kept with anything else. I haven't looked into these as much, but you could probably do - dragon eels and banana/fire coral eels would be my personal suggestions for a large but not huge tank.

That said, I'm not sure how well a panther grouper would do with eels - that may be something to ask about, as panther groupers get large and eels are a pretty easy to swallow body shape (so a big grouper with a small eel may be a bad combo; I'd see if anyone knows for sure to be safe).

When I lived in Hawaii, snowflake morays were a very popular bait for bigger fish (including grouper) so definitely a risk with a big grouper.

 

[William Chiavetta]

When I lived in Hawaii, snowflake morays were a very popular bait for bigger fish (including grouper) so definitely a risk with a big grouper.

I would tell the grouper to stay small :)

 

[littlefoxx]

I would tell the grouper to stay small :)

Lol I wish! Panthers are so cute as babies!

 

[Slocke]

I want to set up a predatory tank and I want some opinions on my stock list. I want an eel and or a ray or shark but don't really know much about them. I also would like to know how big this tank should be. I don't think anything above 300 is feasible
-porcupine puffer

Great fish for personality just watch out for nipping

-fuzzy dwarf lionfish

Awesome

-picasso triggerfish

See about the puffer

-harlequin tusk

I agree with little fox. I would suggest trying to find an adult Coris wrasse like a Coris Gaimard or Coris formosa. Also prettier and hardier. Though it will need sand.

-panther grouper

I would suggest a miniatus. Very pretty throughout their lives unlike panthers and a more reasonable size.

-emperor angel

Good

For sharks most kept in the hobby are benthic and thus hardly move most of the time. This makes them surprisingly easy and you can keep them in relatively small tanks but are not as interesting as you’d think.


Rays need a long and wide tank to roam. 300 would not be big enough IMO.

For eels your easiest option is a zebra though any medium sized eel could work. The issue is the trigger and puffer. They can take chunks out of eels and steal food. Best bet is to add the eels first and get them a good place to hide their whole bodies when they need. PVC pipes works well though can be an eyesore (I can give you suggestions on hiding them if you need).

 

[fishywishy]

Do you think any grouper would be better? Goliath? lol

A Goliath would be a good option but a marine betta, v-tail grouper, blue line grouper and a coral Hindi would be even better options imo.

 

[William Chiavetta]

Great fish for personality just watch out for nipping

Awesome

See about the puffer

I agree with little fox. I would suggest trying to find an adult Coris wrasse like a Coris Gaimard or Coris formosa. Also prettier and hardier. Though it will need sand.

I would suggest a miniatus. Very pretty throughout their lives unlike panthers and a more reasonable size.

Good

For sharks most kept in the hobby are benthic and thus hardly move most of the time. This makes them surprisingly easy and you can keep them in relatively small tanks but are not as interesting as you’d think.


Rays need a long and wide tank to roam. 300 would not be big enough IMO.

For eels your easiest option is a zebra though any medium sized eel could work. The issue is the trigger and puffer. They can take chunks out of eels and steal food. Best bet is to add the eels first and get them a good place to hide their whole bodies when they need. PVC pipes works well though can be an eyesore (I can give you suggestions on hiding them if you need).

Thank you so much for the suggestions but I have heard from couple sources that a Cortez ray could fit. Why do you think it couldn't?

 

[William Chiavetta]

I was thinking a miniatus! they look so cool.

 

[William Chiavetta]

New updated stock list:
-porcupine puffer
-emperor angel
-coral cat shark
-zebra eel
-picasso trigger
-red coris wrasse
-cortez ray? (not sure)
-miniatus grouper

 

[Slocke]

Thank you so much for the suggestions but I have heard from couple sources that a Cortez ray could fit. Why do you think it couldn't?

Because they need open area. If you did a very minimalist scape with a large amount of open sand they would do fine maybe in a 300 or less but that would take away the area your other fish need.