Nano predator tank (29 gallon)

[OCF22]

I recently got a 29 gallon. I want to make a nano predator theme. Im intrigued by dwarf pike cichlids but i'm worried a 29 will be too small, will it? Any suggestions on stocking ideas?

 

[JustAFishServant]

I recently got a 29 gallon. I want to make a nano predator theme. Im intrigued by dwarf pike cichlids but i'm worried a 29 will be too small, will it?

As a rule of thumb, if you question whether a tank's too small, it most likely is. Doing a bit of research, it seems they only get 3-4" at most. So in my opinion, a 29 is fine. If not:

Any suggestions on stocking ideas?

Any small predatory fish will do fine. Dwarf cichlids, dwarf, 3-spot, or pearl gouramis, pea puffers, badis, or bettas (females are more food-aggressive)

 

[Noroomforshoe]

African butterfly and golden wonder killifish are predators.

 

[TClare]

I recently got a 29 gallon. I want to make a nano predator theme. Im intrigued by dwarf pike cichlids but i'm worried a 29 will be too small, will it? Any suggestions on stocking ideas?

Yes, unfortunately the 29 is rather too small for a dwarf pike cichlid.

 

[SparkyJones]

You'd need to be pretty particular in your selection of dwarf pike cichlids, they are social among themselves and hunt in a pack, so it's not social in a good way as they all need their own space but ability to work together. Females are even more aggressive than males.

I won't tell you you can't, I will say you need to be really careful how you go about it and set up the tank and how many fish you keep.

most of these species are small and in theory can work in a smaller tank, but they are incredibly fast, you'd want to give them plenty of space to actually act as normal, hide from each other set ambushes, work together, get alone time, and then give them target fish to take their aggression out on besides each other, something larger and robust.

I don't like the idea of them in a tank this size because they don't have the room to act like they would normally and might not workout long term.