Pearsei, synspilum, bifa (rio chaca)

  • We are currently upgrading MFK. thanks! -neo
While I really like all the "vieja" types, none of the species I have kept have been as outgoing and/or personable as my ~7 year old pair of pearsei. I've had these two since they were only a few inches. They are not skittish at all and readily feed from my hand. They are also very curious and are always watching what I am doing, even from a different room. I can't reccomend them enough.

Another thing to keep in mind is how many vieja species can be extremely hard on their mate, often times with the male killing the female. This will be even more of a problem if they are in a tank alone as there will be no other fish to diffuse aggression. With pearsei, I doubt you would have such a problem.

Male:
View attachment 1357772
View attachment 1357774
Female:
View attachment 1357776
View attachment 1357775

This is exactly the post I was looking for Thanks so much. Beautiful pair.

Do you think a group of meeki would work with them? Maybe some tetras or similar. They'll be in a 180 for awhile then probably get an upgrade once I find a something bigger
 
  • Like
Reactions: cjdesmit
I'll take one and post when I get home from work. It's just the three vieja in there with 5 Balas and a Pictus cat. They've been together for about 4 or 5 years now and get along ok.

Look forward to it. Sounds like a nice setup
 
I know it highly likely he associates her with food, BUT my son never feeds him and she wont go near the tank for weeks at a time.


he wont follow me around unless Im holding a tub of food. Me and the bastard have a love hate relationship. I honestly believe he associates me with getting netted

 
  • Like
Reactions: richyrich
I know it highly likely he associates her with food, BUT my son never feeds him and she wont go near the tank for weeks at a time.


he wont follow me around unless Im holding a tub of food. Me and the bastard have a love hate relationship. I honestly believe he associates me with getting netted


That's funny. He really doesn't like you lol

Maybe cichlids aren't for you bro. I've never seen one do that before and I've had a bunch.
 
  • Like
Reactions: jaws7777
I have kept all of the species you listed. All make outstanding showstopper specimens as adults.

I currently only have the Rio Chacamax bifas; and I like its color the best.

The synspilum and the bocourti are also striking.

As mentioned several times by others, the personality, the sheer bulk, super fast growth rate, and a species that is underrated on the color, I would have to say pearsi has been my favorite.

I found the pearsi and bocourti less rough on their own kind too. I routinely have to get the divider on these bifas now, and my male synspilum years ago killed all of his tank mates.

I did have less luck breeding pearsi/bocourti, but I know others have been successful. I had eggs a few times, but never successful breeding.

I will keep pearsi again some time in the future.
 
  • Like
Reactions: jaws7777
Cj's pics along with jawzz def seals the deal

I picked the tank up today. Not bad for $250 tank, stand, sump + $30 for all kinds of big driftwood. The stand doesnt make the cut but will fund the wood I need to build a pyru approved one. I'll probably be looking at rapps or cota this spring for pearsei

0202191913_Film1.jpg 0202191914_Film1.jpg
 
  • Like
Reactions: dan518
Cj's pics along with jawzz def seals the deal

I picked the tank up today. Not bad for $250 tank, stand, sump + $30 for all kinds of big driftwood. The stand doesnt make the cut but will fund the wood I need to build a pyru approved one. I'll probably be looking at rapps or cota this spring for pearsei

View attachment 1358170 View attachment 1358171
nice tank. Love the car.
 
This is exactly the post I was looking for Thanks so much. Beautiful pair.

Do you think a group of meeki would work with them? Maybe some tetras or similar. They'll be in a 180 for awhile then probably get an upgrade once I find a something bigger

A group of Thorichthys would compliment the pearsei nicely. I have kept mine with a wide assortment of other CA's including both T. meeki and T. pasionis. If starting with young fish, I'd get a small group of pearsei (4-6) in order to get a pair and narrow it down from there. As for the Thorichthys, they do well in groups and would aim for 8+.

My pearsei are in a 220gal with a group of 8 C. robertsoni.
 
A group of Thorichthys would compliment the pearsei nicely. I have kept mine with a wide assortment of other CA's including both T. meeki and T. pasionis. If starting with young fish, I'd get a small group of pearsei (4-6) in order to get a pair and narrow it down from there. As for the Thorichthys, they do well in groups and would aim for 8+.

My pearsei are in a 220gal with a group of 8 C. robertsoni.

Thats the exact game plan.
 
  • Like
Reactions: cjdesmit
MonsterFishKeepers.com