LIMA SHOVEL NOSE (LSN)

Ken_PCA · Post by **Ken_PCA** » 08 Jun 2006, 04:04

I'm planning to get some LSN's. Any suggestions on the tankmates? Im thinking of getting a group of Ctenolucius hujeta which almost always stay near the surface. This would compliment the bottom dwelling LSN.

But would this be a good match? I saw on the site that the LSN grows to around 11". Would a full grown LSN eventually eat the Hujeta at say 7"?

Would really appreciate your thoughts on this.

Thanks,
Ken

The Stig · Post by **The Stig** » 08 Jun 2006, 16:38

I keep these two together at the moment. They are the hujeta gars, though i've got them named as Freshwater Barracudas? Anway i know that they will get along fine. My limas are near fully growth, and the hujetas are smaller than 7 inch and have never been touched. They would be great tankmates.

Carl.

MIKE · Post by **MIKE** » 08 Jun 2006, 19:32

IF U HAD A big tank u could probly fit a tsn with the lsn

Ken_PCA · Post by **Ken_PCA** » 09 Jun 2006, 02:01

Thanks Stig. I will try it out and post some update pics for you guys. By the way Stig, what do you feed the LSN. Obviously you need live fish for the hujeta but would this make the LSN also prefer just live food?

Sorry Mike, but my tank is only 100 gals. I don't think the TSN would last long in that tank. Thanks anyway for the suggestion.

The Stig · Post by **The Stig** » 09 Jun 2006, 17:41

Hi.

No. The hujeta really doesn't need live food. I feed mine a seafood assortment and dead fish and they quickly eat it all up. I am strongly against feeding live fish, just so you know. The limas will feed on the same. Mine dont eat any catfish pellets, though i've heard of some that do. Also remember that they are both predators so don't need to be fed everyday.

Carl.

sidguppy · Post by **sidguppy** » 10 Jun 2006, 01:35

Great tankmates for both Lima's and the Hujeta's would be a few (2-3) mediumsized Dorads; Platydoras, Agamyxis, Orinocodoras and the like.
or a few larger Callichthyds like Callichthys, Hoplosternum littorale, Megalechis and the like.
and of course several mildmannered 6-10" Loricariidae; especially those that feed on different foodsources.
Panaque, Sturisoma, Pseudohemiodon etc.

I wouldn't add any other Pims (foodcompetitors) or any strongly territorial cat (like a lot of the bigger Pleco's, Rhamdia's etc) or very boisterous voracious feeders (Auchenipterids like Driftwoodcats).
Lima's and Hujeta's are quite gentle.

Waldo · Post by **Waldo** » 11 Jun 2006, 05:40

You've got the mid strata swimmer, Maybe P. Niger for the bottom and arowana for the top. PBass would look nice in a big tank too. Mind you these are all monster fish. Don't get too carried away or your going to resent it later when you have to lay down a couple grand for a tank big enough for them.

sidguppy · Post by **sidguppy** » 11 Jun 2006, 14:06

nigers are even bigger than TSNs......in girth.
an adult Oxydoras niger has about the same mass (minus 10" in length or so) as the famous Redtail.
the size of a baby Bottlenose dolphin.

not exactly suitable for any hometank; unless you have a private zoo with tanks in the 8000L range or so, or a big pond in a warm climate like Florida or Queensland.

Waldo · Post by **Waldo** » 11 Jun 2006, 17:57

Good point.

Chrysichthys · Post by **Chrysichthys** » 12 Jun 2006, 15:11

If you have softish water you could keep discus with LSNs--they won't bother each other. No need to spend a fortune, there are cheap hardy varieties of discus.

Ken_PCA · Post by **Ken_PCA** » 13 Jun 2006, 07:34

Great suggestions! really appreciate your help!

Chrysichthys, I was thinking of adding some of my discuss to the tank but was a bit hesitant as I am still unfamiliar with the behavior of the LSN. This time i will try it since it looks like the LSN is a relatively mild mannered fish.

Stig, How do you get your hujetas to eat dead fish? I've been trying for some time now but no luck.. or maybe i'm just not trying hard enough??!!

What's your secret?

Chrysichthys · Post by **Chrysichthys** » 13 Jun 2006, 16:00

I think a discus/LSN tank would work well (and would look great, with the contrast in shapes of the fish). If you've already got discus, you could give it a try.

The Stig · Post by **The Stig** » 13 Jun 2006, 19:43

Hi Ken.

I didn't really find a secret...?? How long have you been continuing with the dead fish? Are they wild caught, because if so, thet will need live fish, and can be then weened onto dead fish. The hujetas are always at the surface and quickly snap at food when i put it in. What fish are you using? I use lancefish, and make sure the pieces of fish aren't too big as well as sometimes mine will look away from big pieces, which is good because the limas take these.

Hope i helped.

Carl

Ken_PCA · Post by **Ken_PCA** » 14 Jun 2006, 01:51

The Stig wrote:Hi Ken.

I didn't really find a secret...?? How long have you been continuing with the dead fish? Are they wild caught, because if so, thet will need live fish, and can be then weened onto dead fish. The hujetas are always at the surface and quickly snap at food when i put it in. What fish are you using? I use lancefish, and make sure the pieces of fish aren't too big as well as sometimes mine will look away from big pieces, which is good because the limas take these.

Hope i helped.

Carl

The hujetas are F0. I feed them live bearers which i breed in a small drum outdoors (i'm such a cheapskate!

). Hmmmm... I will try not feeding them anything for a few days then throw in some dead fish. Wish me luck! Again thanks for the help. I will post some pics of the set-up once done.

Ken

The Stig · Post by **The Stig** » 14 Jun 2006, 16:06

OK. Keep me posted on the hujetas.

Carl.