Check adult requirements
Record the baseline and check mouth size, potential prey and adult size. Do not infer the aquarium's condition from a single sign. Confirm scientific identity, adult size, diet, social behaviour and swimming zone.
Then compare a complete diet without routine live feeder fish with livestock needs and recent changes. Look for genuine overlap in water, flow, territory and feeding throughout the year.
Assess compatibility and welfare
Adjust one variable and assess space, waste load and tankmate safety before continuing. Keep a reference so the result can be compared. Plan the complete group and monitor feeding, breathing, injury, shelter and space use.
Never combine a predator with animals it can swallow even when current sizes look similar.