Caring for Predators
Tank Setup
Predator tanks require the same base setup as all other tanks. Get the proper tank, fill it with rock, let it cycle, and make sure everything is just right before adding animals. There are a few difference to the predator tank though. When aquascaping your rock, make sure there are lots of caves and "mountains." Eels love to hide in cave systems, and triggerfish often sleep in caves and will retreat to one when scared. Lionfish love to perch on tall objects (and usually at odd angles) , so having your rock form a small mountain can be a boon for everyone involved. Have a little fun with setting up structures with your rock, just make sure it is all sturdy. Since most Predators eat coral, you won't be constrained to how well said coral will get light, current flow, etc. Lighting is also less expensive and time consuming if you don't plan on adding any coral. Do keep in mind that there are predators that do NOT eat coral (such as eels) and you can do a coral reef tank with such
a predator in it. In which case, make sure there is an abundance of cave systems and places to put the coral. In either case, adding invertebrates to the tank is a very bad idea, as almost every predator will use them as a food source. Now if you want to spend the money for some early inverts (hermits, snails) to help get your tank set up and healthy, you can. Just remember that what you're doing is giving the predators an snack when they're hungry. Tank size is also very important, as most predators get very large. A 100+ gallon tank is recommended. You can however start out small and get a larger tank when the time comes. There are also ways to do small predator tanks, but we will get into that later.
Compatibility
Most predators will live together in harmony if they are roughly the same size and are introduced either together, or in the right order. It is important to note the growth of each one, because if someone doesn't get very large, while the other do, your small fish could become a snack. Eels are notorious for this, so never put a small fish in with them.
Feeding
Feeding predators is slightly different from feeding a reef tank. Predators can require larger amounts of food to sate their appetite. Feeding them brine when they are small and working up to krill and whole shrimp as they get bigger is the best way to raise predators. However there are some who will not eat frozen food and will only react to live food (Lionfish are notorious for this). If that is the case, feeder guppies are a good substitute. If you want to stay within the realm of saltwater, small chromis and glass shrimp are a great, if mildly expensive, feeder fish. Feeding time is at your discretion, though it is best to only feed them when they are visibly hungry. Eels usually come out of their caves and swim around to show this and lionfish will also get more active. Triggers and Puffers may follow you around the tank to show that they are hungry. If your predators start to go at one another, it may be a sign that they are underfed and need to be fed more often.
Types of Predators
There are many types of predatory fish for your tank, and most will get along if they're introduced right and are roughly the same size. Here is a rundown of the most popular. Triggerfish are one of the most common predators for a tank, and are a good compliment to an eel, since triggerfish are very "tall" with their trigger out. Most triggerfish get over a foot long, so a large tank is necessary. Triggerfish will eat everything from brine (when they're little), to whole shrimp. Triggerfish will also eat feeder fish. Triggerfish are very energetic and very territorial. Because of this, it is best to introduce them last or with other fish. At feeding time it is fun to watch a a trigger swim erratically around the tank waiting for its meal. Eels are a popular choice for a predator tank due to their serpentine nature. Most eels get longer then two feet and love to hide in caves and crevices. because of this, it is best to have a large tank with a series of caves in your tank for the eel to hide in. Eels usually only come out for food and can be seen poking their heads out of their dens almost all the time. If you want to keep other fish with your eel, make sure they are quite large. Eels can easily consume a fish twice their size will try and eat anything that fits in their mouth, including smaller predators. With the use of a feeding stick, eels can be trained to eat frozen krill or shrimp by faking that it is alive. After a couple weeks of this it is best to simply drop the krill or shrimp into the tank and see if they take it without coaxing. If not, keep trying with the feeder stick. Some eels may never take to the food without thinking it is live. While aggressive, eels may become more docile as time goes on
. While incredibly beautiful, lionfish are poisonous and picky eaters. The long fins on a lionfish are tipped with venomous spines that it used as a defense against other predators. If stung by a lionfish, run hot water over the sting for a good period of time. The hotter the water the better. At about 100 degrees Fahrenheit is considered the best method. if you experience any dizziness, swelling, or extreme discomfort go see a doctor! Lionfish are incredibly docile. They often will sit at odd angles on or under rocks and remain still for hours at a time. Unless provoked (on purpose or by accident) lionfish are generally good with other fish and will not do them serious harm. While some will eat frozen krill and shrimp, lionfish are notoriously picky and many times will only eat live food. Some may be trained to eat frozen food from a feeding stick. If you have any bottom dwelling inverts such as crabs or snails, prepare for them to go missing. Stingrays love crustaceans. Stingrays will glide around the bottom of your tank when active and bury themselves in the sand to sleep. Given their size and love of movement, a large tank is almost essential to owning a stingray.
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