Should or Shouldn't We: Predatory Fish!

[AlyciaMarie Verified Admin]

Although all fish come with challenges, a certain type of fish may just take the cake in terms of challenges: There are all things to consider when considering the challenges of owning a predatory fish, and they almost always require their own dedicated tank because of these unique challenges. But is there a reason why we often only see predatory fish in large educational facilities such as aquariums? Let's discuss it!

Should we keep predatory fish in home aquariums?

This discussion is more focused on the more uncommon or larger predatory fish, such as sharks, rays, large eels, groupers, etc.

 

[Reefer Matt]

Are we talking about sharks and rays, or lionfish and puffers? Or all of the above?

 

[AlyciaMarie Verified Admin]

Are we talking about sharks and rays, or lionfish and puffers? Or all of the above?

Any and every predatory fish that is legal to own by civilians!

 

[fishywishy]

Depends on the fish, keeping a shark is a lot different than a neon goby but both are predatory.

 

[exnisstech]

Only predatory fish that will not outgrow the aquarium they are being kept in. I think this is what @Reefer Matt was leading to.
IMO there are many fish that should not even be offered to the public. Those cute little spotted groupers come to mind. On the freshwater side the little arrowana that can grow up to 4ft.

 

[Reefer Matt]

As long as a properly sized and configured tank is provided, I think there aren’t any problems with keeping them. But research should be done. Some predatory fish are actually pretty small in comparison to the ones we usually think of first. Like dwarf lionfish for example.

I have (what started off as) a “Predator Tank”. It currently has a large volitan lionfish, puffer, burrfish, trigger, foxface and angelfish. I used to have a large snowflake eel as well. The foxface was added as a cuc, and the Emperor Angel was added last, but is now (what he thinks) “The Boss” of the tank.

 

[AlyciaMarie Verified Admin]

Are we talking about sharks and rays, or lionfish and puffers? Or all of the above?

Depends on the fish, keeping a shark is a lot different than a neon goby but both are predatory.

Yeah, I see your points! Maybe this discussion should focus on more uncommon or larger predatory fish, such as sharks, rays, large eels, groupers, etc. I edited my thread body to fit this a little more.

 

[Gumbies R Us]

One of my favorite kinds of tanks are centered around lionfish. I think keeping predator fish is ok as long as you know what you are getting yourself into.

 

[Cthulukelele]

Larger predatory fish like that imo really require LARGE tanks and knowledgeable hobbyists, but there are definitely instances where it can work.

 

[KrisReef]

Any and every predatory fish that is legal to own by civilians!

Excellent.
I don't know.

I have a LFS story from many years ago. One of my coworkers related that a very nice old(er) lady had recently visited the store and purchased a miniatus grouper for her tank. The next day she came back with the deceased fish in a baggie and was hoping for a refund. The employee asked what had happened to the fish? The lady explained that she floated the grouper for 30 minutes and then let it go, just like he had told her to do. She went on to explain; "Well, then he ate my platies, and my mollies, and my guppies and then the grouper laid down on the bottom of the tank and died. Is the 24-hour guarantee still valid"?

 

[design.maddie]

That is a BIG ol' Yes from me. My dream fish is a Grouper. I expected to feed it whole raw shrimp as the main food source.

 

[BristleWormHater]

Would love to keep a leopard blenny someday but they need constant tribute of coral flesh.

My bank account would end up like this:

 

[BristleWormHater]

Excellent.
I don't know.

I have a LFS story from many years ago. One of my coworkers related that a very nice old(er) lady had recently visited the store and purchased a miniatus grouper for her tank. The next day she came back with the deceased fish in a baggie and was hoping for a refund. The employee asked what had happened to the fish? The lady explained that she floated the grouper for 30 minutes and then let it go, just like he had told her to do. She went on to explain; "Well, then he ate my platies, and my mollies, and my guppies and then the grouper laid down on the bottom of the tank and died. Is the 24-hour guarantee still valid"?

Some people man

 

[Slocke]

I think some of the crazier ones should be special order only. I find it a bit sad when an LFS has fish no normal hobbyist could ever keep ethically.

 

[littlefoxx]

Yeah, I see your points! Maybe this discussion should focus on more uncommon or larger predatory fish, such as sharks, rays, large eels, groupers, etc. I edited my thread body to fit this a little more.

Yes this. Best example of this is a 140 gallon tank for sale on FB near me. They said these two eels are 5 foot each. They look MISERABLE. Makes me so angry as someone who loves eels. Yeah they dont move around like tangs but they still need room to swim and be comfortable and I think thats important people realize eels should not be cramped into a small tank just cause it has “lots of rocks”

 

[littlefoxx]

One of my favorite kinds of tanks are centered around lionfish. I think keeping predator fish is ok as long as you know what you are getting yourself into.

Mine too!! But my BF wont let me have them anymore after finding out Im actually deathly allergic to the venom and could die if I get stung again… boo they are so awesome though!!!

 

[Xefan]

Yes this. Best example of this is a 140 gallon tank for sale on FB near me. They said these two eels are 5 foot each. They look MISERABLE. Makes me so angry as someone who loves eels. Yeah they dont move around like tangs but they still need room to swim and be comfortable and I think thats important people realize eels should not be cramped into a small tank just cause it has “lots of rocks”

In the wild they're always active at night and they'll swim significant distances weaving through the reef, so that really is super sad to see, Green Morays free swimming are so incredibly majestic to watch, and they'll never get to do that there. I've seen them 8ft long.

The one that gets me is Ribbon Eels, unless you have at least a foot deep sand bed in your tank you can't remotely provide a suitable habitat for them because they don't just live in rocks and caves, but in holes buried in the sand.

 

[littlefoxx]

In the wild they're always active at night and they'll swim significant distances weaving through the reef, so that really is super sad to see, Green Morays free swimming are so incredibly majestic to watch, and they'll never get to do that there. I've seen them 8ft long.

The one that gets me is Ribbon Eels, unless you have at least a foot deep sand bed in your tank you can't remotely provide a suitable habitat for them because they don't just live in rocks and caves, but in holes buried in the sand.

Oh yeah they are! Saw a few at my local aquarium! And my eels love to go swimming at night, especially Ghost my snowflake eel! She loves to be in the open water just as the lights are going down.

 

[littlefoxx]

I think some of the crazier ones should be special order only. I find it a bit sad when an LFS has fish no normal hobbyist could ever keep ethically.

What the heck is the first fish??? Never seen that before!!

 

[Slocke]

What the heck is the first fish??? Never seen that before!!

Guitarfish