To cave or not to cave, that is the question....

I have a 135g 6' tank however my plans took a detour in stocking.

I have a Jaguar, Midas, Firemouth, Salvini, and Green Terror. I have to eventually add a Red Texas (growing out in community tank, wife's tank so no it's not staying). Issue seems to be territories though they all seem to have found their piece of the pie.

1. Should I remove the caves/hideouts? The Jaguar and Salvini spend most of their time in their caves.
2. At what size should I introduce the RT? Considering the Jaguar thinks anything that can fit his mouth is game.
3. What medium size dithers can I employ? Smaller scissortails ended up Jaguar food so the larger ones went back to community tank. I do not want SDs or those that can get rather large. I think I just might not have any dithers at all.

See image for sizes and layout but they are 4-6" while the RT is only about 2.5" at best.

Crazy mike said:

That tank is gonna belong to the jag or Midas eventually. That stock is a time bomb waiting to go off. But I'd keep the Caves just so no ones out in the open and every body has a place to retreat. Leave the RT out it will only add to the volatile mix.


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It depends. I have had full grown Midas and mating jaguars in 110g. Dominance is one thing. Psychotic is another.

My issue is decorative tank vs. Just tank for fish display.

Crazy mike said:

Multiple individuals or a pairs? I've had a Midas and managuense both clean out a 125 once they hit adulthood, might not happen immediately but it will happen. My best advice is keep the caves and watch them. As far dithers SD would be your best bet as anything smaller will more than likely be eaten and even then they may be eaten.


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Not disagreeing with you. I don't want a bare tank and fish. Just want to know what to do regarding territories. I even grew out 6 jaguars and 2 MidAs to 10-12 " in same tank.

Sorry had to run. Just wanted to add thanks.

Crazy mike said:

If territory is the issue just re arrange the tank when you choose to introduce the RT.


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I have to apologize again. My wife was wanting to run out and I tried to make a post that wasn't concise to what I wanted to ask.

I will rearrange the tank when I add the RT. Should I try to remove the caves so the Jag and Salvini do not spend all their time there? I was hoping to get folks to share what has worked for them regarding territories and their tanks. It's semi-peaceful right now just because everyone stays in their corner most of the time. The FM/Salvini get long as well as the Midas/GT. It's just a stagnant tank. This might be what's best but doesn't make for an attractive tank.

Even when I just had the FM, GT, and Salvini, the FM and Salvini spent their time in their caves and would come out to pick on the GT. Just wanting opinion on balance between decoration and active tank. Not looking to go for the African tank approach.