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Oh, South American Leaf Fish (Monocirrhus polyacanthus) are DEFINITELY predatory. Look at the old photo in the Innes book of one yawning and see that mouth ... these things can swallow a fish at least a third of their own size ... they'll reach 3 inches, will breed in the aquarium too, and have something of the parental skills of cichlids, but not as advanced. And they WILL eat any small fish that has the misfortune to share their aquarium!

[span class="edited"][Edited by Calilasseia 2004-06-29 08:46][/span]

Panda Catfish fan and keeper/breeder since Christmas 2002

african butterfly fish will eat some small fry
they stay fairly small n are awesum fish

well, how small is small? if you have a 2-inch fish, and a tiny baby fish in the same tank, the 2-inch fish will eat the baby... i guess i am trying to say that... a lotta fish will eat whatever is small than their mouth. hmm i even saw those feeder fish eat my convict fries(then chased by the male...later eaten, head first).

A cichlid could kick the butt out of a lot of fish and be a total vegetarian, and a predatory fish can be one of the most peaceful fish out there.

Yeah, like the Pink-Headed Cichlid. I would go for a pair of Black Convict Cichlids, Archocentrus sp. They will fit fine in a 20 gallon tank, provided they have lots of hiding spots and cool water.

i would go for the leaf fish they are ok looking i supose . Will you be getting a bigger tank any time? then you will have more of an option!

i like the leaf fish idea could he get more than one kinda like a school or something! also he might not be able to get some of these fish cause his lfs dont have them!

You could always go for Badis badis. Small, and only occasionally eats live fish (but needs other live foods on a regular basis). Also changes colour better than a chameleon - you can practically get one to match your wallpaper

Panda Catfish fan and keeper/breeder since Christmas 2002

Jack dempseys get way too big for a 20 gallon tank.

If they are so peaceful, how do they get there meal?

As shinigami said, there is a big difference between being aggressive and being predatory. Predatory fish (bichirs are a great example) are typically not aggressive towards its tankmates, but if a bichir owner was irresponsible enough to keep it with small fish like danios or any other smallish fish then the bichir will eat them simply because its hungry. If the bichir were aggressive, it would also fight with or kill its larger tankmates.

As for a predatory fish that won't outgrow a 20 gallon, the only option I can think of besides the leaf fish already mentioned would be a Red Eye Puffer (Carinotetraodon lorteti) or Figure 8 puffer (Tetraodon biocellatus I think). The figure 8 would need brackish water though. Also, I've experienced that puffers can have a difficult time catching live fish as they're not very fast. I was breeding convicts to feed my puffers occasionally but the puffers never could catch the cons. There are a couple of con fry still swimming around in 1 or 2 of my puffer tanks.

Anyway, I do hope you realize that an "all live fish diet" isn't the best diet for any type of fish that I can think of. Live fish will be fine as an occasional treat (2-4 times a month) but other live foods and prepared foods are a much better, healthier diet. Also, I do hope you plan to breed your own feeders to reduce the chances of introducing disease.

Jason

get a jack dempsey, those things are crazy!

Good call. I had a gangetic leaf fish once (similar species, but gets much bigger). Definately ate stuff I wasn't expecting, like a fish half it's size. It's so cool watching them eat too.

and a predatory fish can be one of the most peaceful fish out there.

If they are so peaceful, how do they get there meal?

In which case TopHer2, the South American Leaf Fish could be just for you. 3 inch max size, and one humongous appetite. It also does an amazing job of behaving like a dead leaf, not only to fool predatory birds, but to fool its own prey. You should find it quite a simulating fish.

Panda Catfish fan and keeper/breeder since Christmas 2002

to anwser a few peoles questions I quess I want a preditory fish, something small that will want to feed on live fish.

ok, I want to find a nice lookig aggresive fish that will feed on live fish, wont dig up live plants and will fit in a 20 gallon tank.... What are my options??

Are you looking for predatory or aggressive? They are not necessarily the same thing. A cichlid could kick the butt out of a lot of fish and be a total vegetarian, and a predatory fish can be one of the most peaceful fish out there.

For your set-up, I believe the African Butterflyfish or the South American Leaf Fish fit your predatory description. They may not be awfully aggressive, but they are definitely predatory.

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The aquarist is one who must learn the ways of the biologist, the chemist, and the veterinarian.

Convicts.... are small enough and deadly aggressive when they feel like it.... mainly when they are breeding. also really interesting and great looking as well.

arrowana.... that thing will be great with yer tank with a fun activity involving a lotta money to clean up your busted tank and shattered glass... correct me if i am wrong, dont they grow up to..... lets say.. 4 feet? i know you were joking, but PLEASE DO NOT get the arrowana... if you want aggresive stuff, you'll have to get a bigger tank, and most of them will dig yer plants if not eat them. i think angels are kinda good for you, they can be aggresive if they want to, i havent tried feeding them live fish, but i know you can feed them neons , and they are good with plants

get an arowana they dont digup or eat plants they dont grow to big either...j/k that would be a bad idea... look up some african cichlids there highly agressive

[span class="edited"][Edited by 2004-06-29 03:05][/span]

HOW small???? Bumblebee gobies are pretty territorial, but won't eat anything but worms and fry. Very small & cute though! And have nothing to do with your plants, unless they're harbouring young fry!

convicts are aggressive, and will eat live fish, and my finger too, and the net if they are breeding. thats aggressive enuf for you? they wont dig up plants, BUT they'll eat them instead] they only grow up to like 5 inches max, if you buy one from yer fish store thats half-grown already, most likely they wont grow too big in yer 20g. i have 3 adults and 6 medium/babies want some? i am trading for 4 angels in my 29g