housing a black belt..

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lp85253

Polypterus
MFK Member
Mar 12, 2009
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ok I have a two part question ...1. I currently have a black belt and a con living happily in a standard 75... bb is about 9" con 4-1/2"they get along pretty well ...only trouble comes at mealtime...nothing serious yet... how many of you think this setup will be ok for "life"?I AM CONSIDERING an upgrade to a taller or bigger footprint 4' tank or possibly 5' tank.....part2 how about my dempsey(7 in.) in a 48"x13"45 gallon tank...how do you think he will fare solo cichlid?(hes with a 4"raphy)... I THINK DEMPSEY IS 100%FINE... not sure on bb/con ... what say all you ca experts...thanks ...lee:)
 
SHOULDA posted in general.....:popcorn:
 
Why,so it could get moved here anyway?
 
:ROFL: so what do you think?
 
kinda think its gonna be ok,,, I am just LITTLE worried about tank size w/ 2 cichlids ,although the bb is clearly dominent the male con IS FIESTY:)
 
Once a Cichlid hits the 11-12" mark, I like them in a 6 foot tank. But it's not a 10 gallon or anything. I have had my black belt in a 90 for a while, smaller than I would like but he's fine and will be moved this summer.


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lp85253 said:
ok I have a two part question ...1. I currently have a black belt and a con living happily in a standard 75... bb is about 9" con 4-1/2"they get along pretty well ...only trouble comes at mealtime...nothing serious yet... how many of you think this setup will be ok for "life"?I AM CONSIDERING an upgrade to a taller or bigger footprint 4' tank or possibly 5' tank.....part2 how about my dempsey(7 in.) in a 48"x13"45 gallon tank...how do you think he will fare solo cichlid?(hes with a 4"raphy)... I THINK DEMPSEY IS 100%FINE... not sure on bb/con ... what say all you ca experts...thanks ...lee:)
Click to expand...

I can relate to your predicament because I had to give away my 9" black belt over the weekend. He was in a 210 gallon CA community (primarily Vieja/Paraneetroplus, but also a JD, Nic,and salvini). Most of the time everything was fine, peaceful in fact, but at least once or twice a day the bb would make sudden lunging attacks at anyone in striking distance. He was like a coiled spring. The aggression peaked during feeding time, but also in response to the anticipation of feeding when someone entered the room. A 5" synspilum that he'd been living with for a year was killed two weeks ago, and since that time a 6" Nicaraguan received a dime-sized bleeding welt on his flank, and others have suffered ripped fins and missing scales. The ferocity of the lunging attacks and size mismatch convinced me that I'd start to lose fish on a regular basis, especially as they matured, so I made the call and got the bb out of there. A shame though - he was a beautiful fish.

To be honest, I think you're asking for trouble with a bb in a 75 gallon, especially if you are seeing signs of increasing aggression. A larger tank with more of a footprint (as opposed to taller) would be a good idea, but if your bb is intent on being aggressive, it may not be enough.

Good luck,
Ian
 
maybe its upgrade time...grrrr..well I am gonna play it as it comes
 
fug202 said:
I can relate to your predicament because I had to give away my 9" blackbelt over the weekend. He was in a 210 gallon CA community (primarily Vieja/Paraneetroplus, but also a JD, Nic,and salvini). Most of the time everything was fine, peaceful in fact, but at least once or twice a day the bb would make lunging attacks at anyone in striking distance. The aggression was worst during feeding time, or even the anticipation of feeding when someone entered the room. A 5" synspilum that he'd been living with for a year was killed two weeks ago, and since that time a 6" Nicaraguan received a dime-sized bleeding welt on his flank, and others have suffered rip fins and missing scales. The ferocity of the lunging attacks and size mismatch convinced me that I'd start to lose fish on a regular basis, so I made the call and got him out of there. A shame though - he was a beautiful fish.

To be honest, I think you're asking for trouble with a bb in a 75 gallon, especially if you are seeing signs of increasing aggression. A larger tank with more of a footprint (as opposed to taller) would be a good idea, but if your bb is intent on being aggressive, it may not be enough.

Good luck,
Ian
Click to expand...

yep, luckily the con is real wary and quite the tough little dude... BUT... those quick lunges at feeding time make you wonder (at least me) ....thanks:popcorn:
 
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