Toga's And Jacks

[George]

Hi All,

Happy New Year!

First time poster - but have been haging around the sidelines for a while.

I'm an avid fly-fisherman, and love catching natives ( C&R ). I also love my tanks, but in the past have only kept a community tank and a tank with Oscars. Kids and a busy work schedule have meant the tanks have been in hibernation for a while now, but i've just dug them out of the shed in the last few weeks ( 6ft and 4 ft ), and have ressurected them. It's now time where I need to decide what to put in 'em.

I definetely want to keep Oscars again, but in the other tank I really want to keep some natives.

Saying that, I really would like to have a Saratoga and a Mangrove Jack in the same tank, but never having kept natives before I have a few questions to ask please:

1. will a toga and a jack co-exist in the same tank

2. what sort of water temp should I maintain for a native tank

3. what do you feed them - given the toga's feed off the surface is there in anything in particular they need to eat ( crickets maybe )?

Sorry for the rafty of questions - but i really need some guidance as to how best to set up my first native tank, and keep the fish alive.

Thanks again!

Cheers!

George

[loomis]

I have had a Saratoga Jardini (35-40cm long) in my 6' tank for a few months now. Originally it shared the tank with an Australian Bass, but the Toga became very territorial and aggresive towards the Bass. The Bass had to be moved in the end. I have tried introducing a larger Bass (roughly same size) but the Toga insisted on belting into it. It would appear that my Toga is destined to live a lonely life! But I have seen others in tanks cohabitating with other fish, so mine must like the solo life.

Jacks are also very territorial, so you maybe heading for problems straight up. You could give it a try, but be ready to pull one out if trouble starts.

As for feeding the Toga, mine lives on white bait mostly...the frozen stuff bought from my local aquarium store. If I can catch something, he gets a bonus of a moth, frog or ghecko.

[Marcus]

If you find anyone who has mangrove jacks can you post up the details?