wild rotkeil questions AND 180 stocking thoughts

  • We are currently upgrading MFK. thanks! -neo
Aquanero said:
When my dominat male was the top fish in the tank it was agressive towards both conspecifics and the other fish in the tank. Once it was no longer top fish in the tank the agression was only conspecific but to a lesser extent. IME and I'm not a severum expert the Rotkeil might be the most agressive of the severum. Maybe Ryansmith will jump in with some information.

Festavum aren't colorful but great fish as far as the whole SA Discus, Angelfish, Severum, Festavum, Uaru clad goes Festavum might be the least celabrated but one of my all time favorites.
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I agree. Festivums are awesome fish. I just wish that I could find some within 30 miles of my location.
 
When I first got my rotkiel he was about an inch long. Tiny guy that I thought was a female for the longest time. He is top dog in my tank now with a larger red spot severum, also male. While he goes at it with the red spot, he never has damaged him. Easy keeper in my opinion.

I'll try to post pics later.
 
I have a wild rotkeil, also some tank raised, and the wild is actually the hardier fish of my group and is now probably 12 years old or more. Has always been in ph 7.6, medium hardness, temps in upper 70s to 80, so not difficult to keep ime. My experience with them is aggression has a lot to do with tank size. Also, occasionally a dominant individual may take a disliking to a particular tankmate for some reason, but overall mine are good citizens. Not that it will always work, but I even have a couple of angelfish with mine and they are quite peaceful toward them.
 
I just lost my 6" male Festivum today, something was wrong with his mouth, he was a great fish, very greedy feeder.
 
i have a rotkeil sev but i doubt its WC and it looks pretty nice so if you cant get wild caught deffinatley atleast get one they have good personalitys and look nice. dont worry i dont have the pbass anymore this video was like 2 years ago and the tank has changed alot.[YT]B3dnR5wtJpk&list[/YT]
 
I agree on the Festivums. I just added 3 juvies to my tank where the dominant display fish are wild Manacapuru's and Rio Nanays.

Columbian tetras will stay in the top third of the tank when you have larger fish in with them that stay near the bottom.

Larger silver Hatchets will be cool too for the top.

I would shy away from the rams with your pH at 8. They struggle when the pH is high.
 
mrrobxc said:
I agree on the Festivums. I just added 3 juvies to my tank where the dominant display fish are wild Manacapuru's and Rio Nanays.

Columbian tetras will stay in the top third of the tank when you have larger fish in with them that stay near the bottom.

Larger silver Hatchets will be cool too for the top.

I would shy away from the rams with your pH at 8. They struggle when the pH is high.
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Even tank raised Rams (not blue)? our ph is usually 7.8 from tap.
Stocking is still tentative, up for debate, & subject to availability- mostly online.
Rapps has Heros efasciatus ‘Rio Maica’ he describes as "brilliantly colored wild red & blue" severum. I can't find any photos of those to compare with rotkeils.
The only festivums I've found now are on his list. For me to afford shipping from him, my order has to be things I really want.
 
If you're ordering from Rapps and want a small SA Cichlid instead of rams, I would go with the Dicrossus maculatus. He also has some interesting smaller pikes that might work.


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Tank raised rams is kinda open ended. THree kinds you'll see.

1. GBR: GErman Blue Rams: Best blood line in the hobby. Need soft to neutral water.
2. Far -East bred Rams: Questionable blood line. Almost ALL have limited life span and are garbage fish with all kinds of issues.
3. So-Called tank raised Rams: Just like GBR's, just not as nice looking.

Either way, you can't keep them with much success in pH 8 or high 7's.

Bolivian Rams are for you. They can tolerate harder water, are bigger, and are actually quite beautiful.

I'd stay away from Dicrossus, Crenincara, Apistogramma (Unless you go Borellii or Cacatoides).

Potential Dwarf (or small-medium) SA cichlids that are tolerant are:
- Cleithacara Maroni (Keyhole Cichlids)
- Microgeophagus Altispinosa (Bolivian Rams)
- Apistogramma Borelli: 7.8 is pushing it, but I've seen it work.
- Apistogramma Cacatoides: Same as Borelli
- Laetacara Curviceps
- Laetacara Dorsigeri
- Crenicichla Compressiceps

If you don't care for other continents:
- Pelvicachromis Pulcher (Kribs)
- Anomalochromis Thomasi
- Central American Cryptoheros, Archocentrus, and Amatitliana's will work.
 
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