I'M DONE WITH AROs

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I believe the negative comments are a reflection of your original post. Venting negatively online can be misconstrued as sincere feelings if you don't make it clear that it's just venting. Truth be told and this is not meant as an offense to you, but some of the reason Silver Aro's are lost is because some people unconsciously take them for granted due to their relative common availability. Often times we prepare ourselves for rare and sensitive fish and go the extra mile to maintain them, while with an Aro we seldom make the compromises needed for their successful captivity. About the only thing often mentioned as a requirement to maintain a Silver is a large tank and covers for the tank and this is not the case, there are other considerations. One example is the choice of tankmates, Silvers are often disturbed by over zealous bottom dwellers such as large catfish. The catfishes darty moves and long whiskers can frighten a Silver and as such unless you have both a long and high tank I wouldn't recommend housing them with certain catfish. While I know you haven't mentioned keeping catfish a very active stingray can also be the cause of a Silver jumping. With that said you should just give careful consideration as to whether a Silver is the Aro for you. Black's tend to be a little less flighty and Lei's are even more confident so perhaps you should give them consideration.

Thank you for the suggestions. I do believe it may have been a very active ray that spooked it. Also maybe I should have clearly stated that I was venting tho some people got it. Think I'm just going to not try it again. I hate to lose fish. Black are far more expensive and I'm not familiar with leis.
For others,
I know I messed up people. Just chill sometimes
 
I believe the negative comments are a reflection of your original post. Venting negatively online can be misconstrued as sincere feelings if you don't make it clear that it's just venting. Truth be told and this is not meant as an offense to you, but some of the reason Silver Aro's are lost is because some people subconsciously take them for granted due to their relative common availability. Often times we prepare ourselves for rare and sensitive fish and go the extra mile to maintain them, while with an Aro we seldom make the compromises needed for their successful captivity. About the only thing often mentioned as a requirement to maintain a Silver is a large tank and covers for the tank and this is not the case, there are other considerations. One example is the choice of tankmates, Silvers are often disturbed by over zealous bottom dwellers such as large catfish. The catfishes darty moves and long whiskers can frighten a Silver and as such unless you have both a long and high tank I wouldn't recommend housing them with certain catfish. While I know you haven't mentioned keeping catfish a very active stingray can also be the cause of a Silver jumping. With that said you should just give careful consideration as to whether a Silver is the Aro for you. Black's tend to be a little less flighty and Lei's are even more confident so perhaps you should give them consideration.

What are the best tank mates for Arows? Fish that swim near the top, bottom, or middle? I always thought cats and rays were good tank mates because they are on the bottom and the Arow on the top.


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You could try Gars. Awesome predators that do great with rays. No drop eye, or jumping. Well I guess any fish could jump but not natural jumpers like Arows ;)


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I like gars. I saw one I had shake a poly. Id hate to gat one that would to that to a ray.
 
What are the best tank mates for Arows? Fish that swim near the top, bottom, or middle? I always thought cats and rays were good tank mates because they are on the bottom and the Arow on the top.


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As did I. But my mmxmotoro swims in the bubbles all the time and the f pearl is very active. No go for me ona silver. Still love em tho :thumbup::banghead::D
 
What are the best tank mates for Arows? Fish that swim near the top, bottom, or middle? I always thought cats and rays were good tank mates because they are on the bottom and the Arow on the top.


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Best tankmates are in my opinion those who dwell in the middle to bottom levels of the tank. In my response I mentioned certain catfish should be avoided depending on how lively their activity level is, not that catfish in general are poor tankmates for Silvers. A perfect example of a poor catfish to keep with a Silver would be a Vulture catfish/Calophysus Macropterus, they patrol the tank actively and their movements are quite abrupt. Their nearly constant activity and probing with their whiskers disturbs many fish and at night can really spook a Silver. Another example would be Black Driftwood catfish/Trachycorystes who are quite bullish in their behavior and move abruptly. Doradidae make good tankmates as they are slow and deliberate with their movements for the most part. Stingrays such as Reticulated are fairly active in all levels of the water and due to their curiosity their incessant exploration which will include bumping the Silver can make them poor tankmates. While Motoro's are more calm and focus more attention toward the bottom of the tank and so make good tankmates. At least these are the experiences I have had. The primary consideration is activety level, a high energy abrupt moving fish can spook Silvers so as long as you research their behavior and activity level you'll be fine choosing a tankmate for a silver.
 
What are the best tank mates for Arows? Fish that swim near the top, bottom, or middle? I always thought cats and rays were good tank mates because they are on the bottom and the Arow on the top.

They may swim at different levels, but unless you've got a fairly deep tank then there won't be much separation. I've always had success keeping black aros with other south american cichlids like Geophagus, Uaru, severums, and larger plecs (with the exception of a big redspot that would chase my black around the upper levels of the tank after lights out!!).
 
Anyone have any suggestons as to another top dweller than can cohabitate with my rays? I reallllllly don't want another silver.....yet:banghead:
I don't think a jardini would be good would attack a ray then probally die due to being barbed you could try jardini I don't suggest it they are highly aggressive up there with parachromis dovii but In my point of view u would be better off getting another silver or if u could find an Asian aro that may work but just monitor a silver if you get it keep lid on tight they jump pretty good good luck



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