Are you the type of fearless fish keeper that is fascinated by strength, speed, and the interesting feeding behaviors of a predatory fish? Do you long to infuse your aquarium with excitement and exotic allure? If that's the case, you're in for a treat because there is a wide array of predatory fish that make excellent pets.
While keeping predator fish requires careful consideration and specific tank setups, the rewarding experience of observing these top-level predators in action is unmatched. We will explore the top 10 predator fish for aquariums, delving into their appearance, temperament, behavior, housing requirements, water conditions, and dietary preferences.
1. Betta
Betta fish are known for their vibrant colors and flowing fins, making them popular aquarium pets. However, they are also known for their territorial and aggressive behavior, especially among male bettas. It is crucial to house them separately in their own aquariums to prevent aggression and potential fighting.
A suitable betta aquarium should be well-maintained with clean water, proper filtration, and regular water changes. Live or artificial plants and other decorations can create hiding spots and add enrichment to their environment, promoting their well-being and reducing stress.
Scientific Name: Betta splendens
Common Name: Siamese Fighting Fish
Origin: Thailand
Max Size: 2 to 3 inches
pH: 6.5-7.5
Temperature: 75°-81°F (23.8°-27.2°C)
KH: 3-5 dKH
Diet: Omnivorous
2. Pea Puffers
Pea Puffers are known for their unique and charming personalities but can be territorial and somewhat aggressive, especially toward their own species. It's best to keep them in species-only tanks or with compatible tankmates in a properly-sized aquarium. Due to their small size and territorial nature, they are not suitable for community aquariums with larger or aggressive fish.
When keeping Pea Puffers, you need to provide them with plenty of hiding spots and plants in their aquarium to create a secure and enriched environment. Regular water changes and proper filtration are also necessary to maintain good water quality and keep them healthy.
Scientific Name: Carinotetraodon travancoricus
Common Name: Dwarf Puffer, Pea Puffer
Origin: India
Max Size: 1 1/2 inches
pH: 6.8 – 8.0
Temperature: 72 – 82°F (22 – 28°C)
KH: 5-25 dKH
Diet: Carnivorous
3. African Butterflyfish
African Butterflyfish are known for their unique appearance and behavior. They have large, elongated pectoral fins that resemble wings, which they use to glide along the water's surface to catch prey. They are also ambush predators, waiting for food to come within striking distance before capturing it.
When housing African Butterflyfish, you need to cover your aquarium tank because they are known to be skilled jumpers. The tank should also have plenty of surface area for them to glide and move around comfortably. Besides, adding floating plants or other cover at the water's surface will help create a secure and natural environment for them.
Scientific Name: Pantodon buchholzi
Common Name: African Butterfly Fish
Origin: West Africa
Max Size: 5 inches
pH: 6.0-7.5
Temperature: 73-86°F (23-30°C)
KH: 5-15 dKH
Diet: Carnivorous
4. Golden Puffer
The Golden Puffer, also known as the Avocado Puffer, is a small and stunningly colored fish that can be found in medium-sized rivers and streams across Asia. Its striking yellow coloration gives it the name "Golden Puffer." When fully grown, these fish typically reach a maximum size of 4.5 inches (11.4 cm).
Golden Puffers are omnivorous in their natural habitat, consuming a diverse diet that includes insects, mollusks, seeds, and minnows. In captivity, it's important to provide them with a similar diet, as relying solely on aquarium flakes and pellets may not be sufficient. Like all pufferfish, they should be offered live or frozen meaty foods to thrive and stay healthy.
Scientific Name: Auriglobus modestus
Common Name: Golden Puffer, Avocado Puffer, Bronze Puffer
Origin: Asia
Max Size: 4.5 inches
pH: 6.0-7.8
Temperature: 74.0 to 82.0° F (23.3 to 27.8° C)
KH: 4-18 dKH
Diet: Carnivorous
5. Leopard Bushfish
The Leopard Bushfish, native to the Congo River basin in Africa, is a remarkable freshwater fish known for its captivating appearance. It boasts a distinctive leopard-like pattern adorning its body and typically reaches a length of 8 inches (20 cm) in its natural habitat. However, when kept in captivity, they tend to grow slightly smaller, usually maxing out at around 6 inches (15 cm).
In their natural environment, these beautiful fish sustain themselves by preying on small fish, crustaceans, and insects. In a captive setting, providing them with a suitable diet is crucial. You can feed them live or frozen foods like brine shrimp, Daphnia, or small fish. Remarkably, they can also adapt to accept sinking pellets, making it convenient to offer them a varied diet.
Scientific Name: Ctenopoma acutirostre
Common Name: Leopard Bushfish
Origin: Central Africa
Max Size: 6 inches
pH: 6.5-7.5
Temperature: 70°F to 82°F (20°C to 28°C)
KH: 6-20 dKH
Diet: Carnivorous
6. Red Wolf Fish
The Red Wolf Fish, scientifically named Erythrinus erythrinus, is a small fish belonging to the Erythrinidae family, commonly found in the Orinoco and Amazon river basins of South America. These fascinating fish can grow up to 8 inches (20 cm) in length.
In the wild, they are skilled predators, displaying an opportunistic diet that includes small fish, insects, and crustaceans—anything they can fit into their mouths. In aquarium settings, they can adapt to eating frozen foods after being weaned from their natural diet. Their feeding habits and adaptable nature make them intriguing additions to home aquariums.
Scientific Name: Erythrinus erythrinus
Common Name: Red Wolf Fish
Origin: South America
Max Size: 7.9 inches
pH: 5.5-7.5
Temperature: 72-79°F (22-26°C)
KH: 2-25 dKH
Diet: Carnivorous
7. Barred Bichir
The barred bichir, a long-bodied fish, inhabits the Congo River, particularly in its upper and middle sections. This species is frequently found in commercial pet stores, making it readily available to aquarium enthusiasts.
Barred Bichirs are ancient and primitive fish with unique characteristics. They possess a lung-like swim bladder that enables them to gulp air from the water's surface, allowing them to survive in poorly oxygenated waters. Because of this, they are occasionally seen rising to the water's surface to breathe air. Additionally, they have prominent bony scales known as "ganoid scales," which give them a prehistoric appearance.
Scientific Name: Polypterus delhezi
Common Name: barred bichir, armoured bichir, bandback bichir, or banded bichir
Origin: Congo River
Max Size: 20 inches
pH: 6.5-7.5
Temperature: 75°F to 82°F (24°C to 28°C)
KH: 5-20 dKH
Diet: Carnivorous
8. Wolf Cichlid
The Wolf Cichlid is infamous for its aggressive behavior, territorial nature, and powerful jaws. Due to their aggressive tendencies, they are best kept in large aquariums with plenty of hiding spots, caves, and open swimming spaces. Keep in mind that they may not be suitable for community tanks as they can attack and potentially kill smaller tank mates. Additionally, they are not recommended for beginners due to their demanding care requirements and temperament.
Scientific Name: Parachromis dovii
Common Name: Wolf Cichlid, Guapote, Dow's Cichlid
Origin: Central America
Max Size: 28 inches
pH: 6.5 to 7.5
Temperature: 75°F to 82°F (24°C to 28°C).
KH: 5 to 15 dKH
Diet: Carnivorous
9. Arowana
Arowanas are known for their stunning appearance, unique hunting behavior, and their ability to leap out of the water to catch insects and prey. Due to their large size and active nature, they require spacious aquariums with plenty of swimming space. A well-covered tank is essential to prevent them from jumping out. Additionally, certain species of Arowanas (such as the Asian Arowana) are protected by international trade regulations, so it's crucial to ensure they are legally obtained and responsibly cared for. Some species are also considered more suitable for experienced aquarium keepers due to their specific care requirements and potential size.
Scientific Name: Osteoglossum bicirrhosum
Common Name: Arowana
Origin: South America
Max Size: 30 inches
pH: 6.5 to 7.5
Temperature: 75°F to 82°F (24°C to 28°C)
KH: 5 to 15 dKH
Diet: Carnivorous
10. Piranha
Piranhas are well-known for their sharp teeth and aggressive feeding behavior. They are social and often form schools in the wild, which can lead to their reputation as fierce predators. In aquariums, they need sufficient swimming space and places to hide to reduce stress. However, it's essential to keep in mind that keeping Piranhas requires advanced knowledge and experience in fishkeeping due to their aggressive behavior and specific care requirements. Additionally, some species of Piranhas are prohibited or restricted in certain regions due to potential risks to the local ecosystem and public safety. Always check and follow local regulations before considering Piranhas as pets.
Scientific Name: Pygocentrus
Common Name: Piranha
Origin: South America
Max Size: 12 inches
pH: 6.0 to 7.5
Temperature: 75°F to 82°F (24°C to 28°C).
KH: 4 to 8 dKH
Diet: Carnivorous
Predator fish add an element of excitement and wonder to any aquarium, showcasing the intricacies of the natural world. However, you need to remember that keeping these powerful hunters comes with significant responsibilities. Proper research, understanding their specific requirements, and creating a suitable environment is crucial to providing these captivating creatures with a safe and comfortable habitat. By meeting their needs, aquarists can enjoy the spectacle of observing these top-level predators in action while ensuring their well-being and promoting a harmonious aquatic ecosystem.
Related: 6 Frequently Asked Questions About Predator Fish For Aquarium