Michigan Cichlid Association
General Category => New World => Topic started by: Bhawk on March 13, 2015, 07:53:39 PM
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Is it ok to grow out different species in a growout tank. I currently have 7-1"-1.5" festae in a 90gal 4ft tank. Next week im getting 10-1"rtm, 10-1"dovii, and 10-1"rio mag umbee. Was wondering if they can all go together for 4-5 months until i get my fishroom setup and cycled. I do have some 10gal tanks if need be but would like to keep them in s bigger tank. Not looking to loose any fish either to aggresion.
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It can be done, but you're gonna have some losses with that many & those species.
One question... are you confident that You'll be able to tell the different Parachromis species when it's time to separate & be able to get them sorted correctly?
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I am not. Im new to keeping these larger cichlids. Sounds like I'll keep them separate.
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The biggest problem you're gonna have is growth rates. The dovii & umbee will grow much faster than the mota & festae.
The characteristic that will stand out the most between the dovii & mota will be the length of their snouts. The dovii will have slightly longer snouts.
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So if i put the festae and mota in 10g and divide the 90 for the umbee and dovii. Will that be ok til say june
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Honestly I would pass on the umbee & dovii. Just get the mota & grow them out with the festae in the 90.
None of these species are rare & you shouldn't have a problem finding them when you're ready.
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I grow out different species together, but try to never put similar body and mouth types together, or those with similar color patterns. Especially if dealing with territorial, predatory fish such as Parachromis and Caquetaia
Not so much because I couldn't tell them apart, but because they will see each other as competitors and kill each other.
I find similar appearing young cichlids to be extremely hard on each, and as stated above, those with faster growth rates will kill any even slightly smaller individuals. And even if they don't physically kill each other, the larger individuals intimidate the smaller into stress induced disease.
Those I put together successfully are usually those with very different body types, and not usually oredators.
(http://i70.photobucket.com/albums/i97/dstuer/box%20swap/IMG_7826_zpsec5781e0.jpg) (http://s70.photobucket.com/user/dstuer/media/box%20swap/IMG_7826_zpsec5781e0.jpg.html)
(http://i70.photobucket.com/albums/i97/dstuer/box%20swap/dimerus/IMG_6678_zpsjkkvmxrj.jpg) (http://s70.photobucket.com/user/dstuer/media/box%20swap/dimerus/IMG_6678_zpsjkkvmxrj.jpg.html)