Armatus Questions

[BOTR]

I am currently planning on housing them in a 7x4x2 tank, right around 420g I think. My only question is can 2 be kept togther in this tank, or have they proven to be aggresive tward one another? I have done some reading here and found that they tend to attack other "silver" fish, but have not found anything about how they respond to eachother.

Thanks,
Chris

[odalisay]

How many do you have? What size are they? I would say having owned one that armatus are very aggressive fish and that you would have to try it to find out if it works. I know that R1Ridah had 2 but sold 1 cause it was getting jacked by the other. I know of a member on another board that has 3 together but is having to always referee to make sure that nothing too serious happens. You may need to have a divider nearby or better yet another tank ready just incase. Congrats on aquiring one of the best fish ever! I can't wait to get another armatus in the future.

[vamptrev]

not sure about 2 armatus togeother but my armatus and redtail are becoming more and more aggressive twards eachother the older and older they get. im not sure what they are going to do when i put them in a bigger tank, or if they will last togeother for five more months. ive seen pics of wu chuns on this site and he had 2 full grown armatus a redtail and a goliath atf togeother in a very large tank so it is possible. if the two dont get along u can always keep him with other fish though so he dosnt have to be solitary. whare did u score the armatus?

[WU CHUN]

not sure about 2 armatus togeother but my armatus and redtail are becoming more and more aggressive twards eachother the older and older they get. im not sure what they are going to do when i put them in a bigger tank, or if they will last togeother for five more months. ive seen pics of wu chuns on this site and he had 2 full grown armatus a redtail and a goliath atf togeother in a very large tank so it is possible. if the two dont get along u can always keep him with other fish though so he dosnt have to be solitary. whare did u score the armatus?

my goliath killed the retail:cry: :cry: :cry:
he is too hungry.i forget to feed it about one week

[BOTR]

I spoke to Issac(sp?) from River Wonders, and he assures me that 2 Armatus would be fine tother... Well I'm gonna give it a go and hope that whatever injuries might be sustained are not critical before I can seperate them.

Any other advise about these guys? What temps, I was thinking of keeping them near 85, but could cool it down alittle if needed.

Thanks,
Chris

[vamptrev]

i keep my water at 80 degees 24/7 and my armatus is very active and growing almost an inch a month. anywhare around 80 is good. keep them feed well and try to get them off live foods, it might be easyier to do that right off the bat instead of them getting used to feeders. be careful they get more and more aggressive the older they get

[dreamandscheme]

last time i checked, river wonders only had scombs for $60..

[odalisay]

I spoke to Issac(sp?) from River Wonders, and he assures me that 2 Armatus would be fine tother... Well I'm gonna give it a go and hope that whatever injuries might be sustained are not critical before I can seperate them.

Any other advise about these guys? What temps, I was thinking of keeping them near 85, but could cool it down alittle if needed.

Thanks,
Chris

I think that you would be better off talking to actual people that are keeping multiple armatus than a wholesaler that moves the fish in and out. The people that are keeping multiple armatus are dealing with the fish night and day and could help you out with their experiences. I would start pming them. You could start with R1Ridah and there is another gentleman on another board that keeps 3 together, if I were you I would talk to him as well. GL!

[BOTR]

Trust me, I know what vendors will tell you to get you to buy more, hence my questioning here.

[BOTR]

As far as what stock different vendors have in......

If you are into the more unique higher $$$ fish, a phone call goes along way. I never shop their stocklists from their websites. You'd be amazed what you can find out by talking to them.

Thanks,
Chris

[odalisay]

[QUOTE=BOTR;1041424;]
Any other advise about these guys? What temps, I was thinking of keeping them near 85, but could cool it down alittle if needed.

I used to keep my armatus at 84-86. I didnt mean to set it so hight that is just how warm my tank was. I kept my armatus in a 125g w/built in wet/dry and put in a sponge filter to help with filtration/aerotion. I did weekly water changes of about 15-25%. The mistake that I made,didn't realize it until I sold him, was that I had him with too many tankmates. At one time Raider had as many as 10 tankmates. I think it was a little to much sensory overload to pay attention to too many targets. I eventually thinned out Raiders tankmates cause it was affecting his eating habits(would pay too much attention chasing tankmates instead of eating). I will definately be looking out for more in the future! Post pics when you get them settled in.:D

[vamptrev]

pics are a must, dont leave us hangin. heres mine. hes about 9 or 10'' now

[JD7.62]

Dang vamptrev he has GROWN!!

[BOTR]

Ill post pics as soon as I recieve them in. Should be here Wed. I think.

[Tripletail]

well, suffice it to say that I didn`t think they would show aggression within two days being together. I HAD them both in a 35 gal.tank full of minnows.That didn`t stop aggression,woke yesterday morning and one of thier tails are gone[mauled half way up the body] I seperated him but his injuries were too much,this morning he died . now there is one. I was going to try to keep them with my 10inch redtail payara ,thats not going to happen,he will stay apart from other payara. Just a heads up of my mistake.

[BOTR]

Maybe the 35g was an issue?

[BOTR]

I should add......

I am hoping that by breaking up the line of sight, and possibly adding a few dithers to avoid this issue entirely. I have been contacted by a few members and have gotten different exp. either way with these guys. Hopefully in a large tank with a few obstacles things will work out well. If not, I'll just set one up in another tank.

Thanks,
Chris

[DIESELMACK]

from what I have read from others who have kept multiples is there is high aggression and one will damage the other...this is the main reason I ended up just getting one. Mine is very aggressive even at such small size and will even charge and take pot shots at dithers in the tank....seem very territorial and has pretty much claimed the whole tank as his.....once he gets some size to him, he will have a 220gal just for himself untill he outgrows it.

[KRSwop1]

Yeah, I'm sorry bro, but they're way too aggressive. The whole dither thing will only work temporarily at most. When I had mine wih some redtails and dithers, he completely ignored the dithers until the redtails were dead. He picked them all off in a two day span. It was a full on assault. He didn't stop till all of them were dead. He was relentless. I thought the whole dither thing would work. Boy was I wrong.

[BOTR]

Ok, you guys have me convinced, but now I cant seem to get ahold of the vendor.....lol. Hope I can reach him before he ships out!

Thanks,
Chris

[vamptrev]

well, suffice it to say that I didn`t think they would show aggression within two days being together. I HAD them both in a 35 gal.tank full of minnows.That didn`t stop aggression,woke yesterday morning and one of thier tails are gone[mauled half way up the body] I seperated him but his injuries were too much,this morning he died . now there is one. I was going to try to keep them with my 10inch redtail payara ,thats not going to happen,he will stay apart from other payara. Just a heads up of my mistake.

the small tank was deffinatly the problem, ive had this happen numerous times. they just feel too close to the other and have to claim their territory. they would have lasted longer in a bigger tank for awhile, until they got bigger then the bigger tank would be the same as ur 35 gal cuz of how big the fish have grown. my armatus is starting to pick on everyone except the rays.

[vamptrev]

I should add......

I am hoping that by breaking up the line of sight, and possibly adding a few dithers to avoid this issue entirely. I have been contacted by a few members and have gotten different exp. either way with these guys. Hopefully in a large tank with a few obstacles things will work out well. If not, I'll just set one up in another tank.

Thanks,
Chris

if i was getting two, i would still try them in the same tank especially if ur gonna get a 480gal. it might not last forever but i think it would last awhile. i wouldnt put any obsticles in the tank just so they have to get used to eachother, if it works it works if it dosnt it dosnt. every fish has its own personality. it is possible if u've ever seen wu chuns tank, and i think they mellow out when they get old ( i could be wrong ). just keep an eye on them. now this is just my opinion, if u try this and something bad happens i will not be responsible since no one else is with me on this one. my armatus, redtail, and vulpinus have been alright now for a few months but not for much longer, but if it can last 5 more months til i get the monster tank im thinkin they might be ok for awhile longer.

[BOTR]

Decided to just get one, and keep my rays with it. Peace of mind is priceless..

[ea2248]

where can I get some armatus in Los Angeles?

[Tripletail]

Vamptrev Yes, I was going to seperate them anyway,but I thought I would have more time. I have a 720gal a 200gal tanks and am setting up two 460gal ponds on my patio. I had them in the 35 so they could catch minnows easily when I first got them.

[odalisay]

Vamptrev Yes, I was going to seperate them anyway,but I thought I would have more time. I have a 720gal a 200gal tanks and am setting up two 460gal ponds on my patio. I had them in the 35 so they could catch minnows easily when I first got them.

Time is never on your side when it comes to armatus. When I had my armatus I always was expecting a casualty, whether it be the armatus or the armatus' victim. Unfortunately through mistakes is how us humans really learn.

[vamptrev]

sorry for the loss, u will be very happy with one! we need some more pics from everyone!

[KRSwop1]

Here are a few pics of raider before he goes tonight.

[vamptrev]

what? goes whare? ur nuts if u get rid of him

[KRSwop1]

Where'd the pics go?

[R1_Ridah]

Regardless you have them in a 35 gallon to a 600 gallon to even perhaps 1000 gallon, it's only a matter of time before the aggression starts.

Once they reach that comfort zone and realize that they consider the whole tank their territory is when the bashing begins.

If you want a better success rate for a school of payara's that gets to a good size than redtails (Tat) are the way to go. You can see it from the get go where they like to stick together, where the ARMATUS is distant and prefers to keep to himself.

Again, we are all new Armatus keepers so only time will tell with others who has a few. But for those who has kept multiples is/have already experienced the aggression.

What's crazy is that ARMATUS is new in the states where in Japan they receive them on occasions. Hopefully a member from Japan who has had personal experience with them can interject and share some info.

[R1_Ridah]

Decided to just get one, and keep my rays with it. Peace of mind is priceless..

amen to that... good choice. You will be happy with just one.
Believe me it was hard not to pick up a few small ones, but reality hit and I have no need for more than 1. I tried two at one point w/no success =-(

Once your Armatus get's to be over a foot long and starts to get girthy is when you can see the true monster this specie is. You will be surprise on the curiousness and intelligence of the fish. Specially with your RAY, this will only compliment your tank even more.

[vamptrev]

i just took my jar out of the mix, my armatus has some little slits in his tail. i think the redtail is next. rays are a sweet addition and they seem to get along with everyone. hope the rays and a bichir get along ok. i think im going to try a bichir soon

[odalisay]

i just took my jar out of the mix, my armatus has some little slits in his tail. i think the redtail is next. rays are a sweet addition and they seem to get along with everyone. hope the rays and a bichir get along ok. i think im going to try a bichir soon

Yeah keep an eye on your armatus' tankmates. That is what I did when I had mine. Any and everything that had the potential do deal real damage to my armatus had to go. Be careful of the bichir with the ray. I have read somewhere that someone kept a gar with a ray and the gar ended up dying cause it got trapped under the ray. The gar could not come up for air. Same thing could happen to the bichir.

[vamptrev]

ya i am tryin to find one very close in size to try and make it work. some people say bichirs and rays is hit or miss. my rays are very friendly to my vamps so im hoping it will work. u still have ur armatus?