PREDATOR show off thread!

Daniel@R2R · Sep 1, 2017

Let's see your most photogenic predators! Show 'em off!

Cheilinus · Sep 1, 2017

I'll help get this thread started with a couple (slightly older) pics of my Tripletail Maori Wrasse (Cheilinus trilobatus).

His colors can vary quite a bit depending on the type of lighting.
LEDs.

Early morning pic with just natural sunlight.

Daniel@R2R · Sep 1, 2017

That is a beautiful fish! It's also one that I've not seen before.

Cheilinus · Sep 1, 2017

Thank you!

As you can probably tell by my user name, I'm a big fan of the Maori Wrasses. I actually built my current system to accommodate an adult Broomtail Wrasse (Cheilinus lunulatus). Both C. lunulatus and C. trilobatus are available on occasion, and juveniles/initial phase of these species are often mistaken for one another. Temperament wise, I would describe them as being like a big Harlequin Tusk, although a bit slower and more deliberate in their movements. My Tripletail is on the shy side, spending a lot of time in a favorite cave or two, while my initial phase Broomie is almost always out in the open.

Here's a (rather poor) pic of my Broomtail hanging out by some mangroves. It's difficult for me to get half way decent photos of my fish with a phone camera. Will try to get some real pics after the holiday...

Mfreddy · Sep 1, 2017

These guys are both pretty mellow until feeding time

lion king · Sep 1, 2017

My current line up: a pride of lions. wartskin angler, and a cuttlefish in species tanks being fed live. I also have an aggressive tank with triggers and eel that anything that goes in signs it's own death warrant. A semi aggressive tank with other triggers, puffer, and tusk. A leopard wrasse in my macro tank that happily hunts down a small ghostie from time to time.

MightyMouse85 · Sep 5, 2017

One of my favourites in my tank

darian · Sep 19, 2017

lion king said:
My current line up: a pride of lions. wartskin angler, and a cuttlefish in species tanks being fed live. I also have an aggressive tank with triggers and eel that anything that goes in signs it's own death warrant. A semi aggressive tank with other triggers, puffer, and tusk. A leopard wrasse in my macro tank that happily hunts down a small ghostie from time to time.

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what do u feed ur frogfish? i have the same one. 3 days in n its not eating still.

tried mollies, clams, fish meat and mussels. nothing seems to b working

lion king · Sep 19, 2017

darian said:
what do u feed ur frogfish? i have the same one. 3 days in n its not eating still. tried mollies, clams, fish meat and mussels. nothing seems to b working

Live Ghost shrimp are usually the best bet. When they 1st come in you will have to lure him to eat with live food. How big is he, you don't want anything too large although they can put it down. So if you are trying mollies they might have to be babies or very small. If you can't find ghost shrimp(mostly coming out of FL so with the hurricane maybe difficult) try some feeder guppies. Acclimate they to salt for about an hour so they don;t float. A fancy guppy might be more the right size and easier to acclimate to salt. Nothing larger than the width between his eyes. You might turn off all the water movement and use a rigid air tube to chase the food towards him. They can be difficult at 1st but it is really important to get them eating right away. Really no need to try dead stuff at this point.

darian · Sep 19, 2017

lion king said:
Live Ghost shrimp are usually the best bet. When they 1st come in you will have to lure him to eat with live food. How big is he, you don't want anything too large although they can put it down. So if you are trying mollies they might have to be babies or very small. If you can't find ghost shrimp(mostly coming out of FL so with the hurricane maybe difficult) try some feeder guppies. Acclimate they to salt for about an hour so they don;t float. A fancy guppy might be more the right size and easier to acclimate to salt. Nothing larger than the width between his eyes. You might turn off all the water movement and use a rigid air tube to chase the food towards him. They can be difficult at 1st but it is really important to get them eating right away. Really no need to try dead stuff at this point.

just as i made this post my frogfish setup his lure n ate a mollie. my frogfish is around 3 inches

lion king · Sep 19, 2017

darian said:
just as i made this post my frogfish setup his lure n ate a mollie. my frogfish is around 3 inches

It's best to feed 2-3 small prey(I'll feed like 3-5 ghosties) rather than 1 large fish, although they can eat something as large as themselves. In captivity this usually proves deadly, over feeding can also prove deadly so feeding 2 no more than 3 times a week is best. Until a nice bulge in the belly but not like his belly laying on the rocks. They seem to be a little sensitive to high nitrates as well, so if his appetite ever starts to wean check your nitrates.

Finatik · May 14, 2018

BUMP: Let's see some more Predators !

Shrimpinator123 · May 17, 2018

Atennarius Pictus

Thomashtom · May 17, 2018

Here are some of my predators

cody hendrix · Jun 15, 2018

Cheilinus said:
Thank you!

As you can probably tell by my user name, I'm a big fan of the Maori Wrasses. I actually built my current system to accommodate an adult Broomtail Wrasse (Cheilinus lunulatus). Both C. lunulatus and C. trilobatus are available on occasion, and juveniles/initial phase of these species are often mistaken for one another. Temperament wise, I would describe them as being like a big Harlequin Tusk, although a bit slower and more deliberate in their movements. My Tripletail is on the shy side, spending a lot of time in a favorite cave or two, while my initial phase Broomie is almost always out in the open.

Here's a (rather poor) pic of my Broomtail hanging out by some mangroves. It's difficult for me to get half way decent photos of my fish with a phone camera. Will try to get some real pics after the holiday...

I am getting a small broom tail in 2 weeks. He is coming in at 5 inches. His final home is set to be a 540. How have you liked your so far?

cody hendrix · Jun 15, 2018

lion king said:
My current line up: a pride of lions. wartskin angler, and a cuttlefish in species tanks being fed live. I also have an aggressive tank with triggers and eel that anything that goes in signs it's own death warrant. A semi aggressive tank with other triggers, puffer, and tusk. A leopard wrasse in my macro tank that happily hunts down a small ghostie from time to time.

Where did the fuzzy in the first pic at the bottom come from I have never seen that coloration?! I have seen red and I have seen yellow but nothing like that!