How Many A.Curviceps in a 30 long?

[TigerTalon1]

I want to setup a 30 gallon long tank the dimensions are 36L-12w-16h. The tank will have a 3-1 ratio of sand to black gravel with caves and possibly plants.My question is how many of them can I have in a 30 and how many males to females could have. Also what are their diet and temperament in your experiences. Sorry I meant L. Curviceps by the way

 

[ryansmith83]

For a small fish they're rather pushy and boisterous with each other. Typical acara behavior. I have 6 in a 40 breeder (36" x 18" x 17") and even with hiding places and other fish they are chasing each other all over, trying to assert dominance and select a mate.

I'd say you could comfortably do four with the right sight breaks and hiding places. You can try two pairs or you can try a male and 3 females, but they're a bit tough to sex so that will take some trial and error maybe.

 

[darth pike]

Keep in mind, most curviceps sold in the US at least are really L. dorsigera. And they are far more pushy and territorial than curviceps are. In that size tank, I'd expect only one pair of L. dorsigera to live long term.

 

[neutrino]

I tend to agree with the thoughts above. I've had true curviceps that were quite peaceful, but it was a busy tank with larger fish, so the curviceps basically found their niche and kept out of the way. But, yes, in a smaller tank, 6 may cause some fussing. Not as showy as some other species, but I liked them quite well, actually.

 

[TigerTalon1]

So what kind of tank mates would work and I believe I could get L.Curviceps because my fishstore does special requests and the fish will be there by the next Thursday after I order it. Aslo how do I identify the differences between L.Dorsigera and L.Curviceps because I want the fish with the dark brown to yellow body and green scales along the face and sides with a horizontal stripe down the side of its body.

 

[neutrino]

Depends how many curviceps you decide to go with. Also, if you're still planning the tank and size isn't written in stone, a bigger tank would give you more possibilities.

But I kept them with a pretty good variety of SAs, including angels, discus, microgeos (rams), Apistogramma, and Mesonauta in well planted tanks. In a smaller tank, a couple of smaller growing angels would be a possibility imo.

I don't know how well I can describe them vs. other Laetacara. They can vary some according to mood and population. Probably some in the hobby have been mixed. I say mine were true curviceps, but only because I trusted the source, which was pretty knowledgeable when I had mine, but in reality I couldn't prove they weren't fulvipinnis, for example. I know they weren't dorsigera.

This might be helpful in a general way and up to a point; as I say, they can vary in different moods and according to where they're collected. So short of finding a scientific description and counting scales, etc., you're somewhat dependent on having a reliable source and taking their word imo. To a degree you can do a process of elimination, so I knew mine weren't dorsigera and weren't araguaiae, beyond that I trusted what the seller told me.

 

[ryansmith83]

IMO dorsigera and curviceps are almost indistinguishable when in normal coloration. I’ve been told the color of the edging on the dorsal fin is an indicator but I don’t know if that’s true.

 

[TigerTalon1]

Depends how many curviceps you decide to go with. Also, if you're still planning the tank and size isn't written in stone, a bigger tank would give you more possibilities.

But I kept them with a pretty good variety of SAs, including angels, discus, microgeos (rams), Apistogramma, and Mesonauta in well planted tanks. In a smaller tank, a couple of smaller growing angels would be a possibility imo.

I don't know how well I can describe them vs. other Laetacara. They can vary some according to mood and population. Probably some in the hobby have been mixed. I say mine were true curviceps, but only because I trusted the source, which was pretty knowledgeable when I had mine, but in reality I couldn't prove they weren't fulvipinnis, for example. I know they weren't dorsigera.

This might be helpful in a general way and up to a point; as I say, they can vary in different moods and according to where they're collected. So short of finding a scientific description and counting scales, etc., you're somewhat dependent on having a reliable source and taking their word imo. To a degree you can do a process of elimination, so I knew mine weren't dorsigera and weren't araguaiae, beyond that I trusted what the seller told me.

I was thinking 1 male 2 females mixed with some sort of schooling tetra with either yo-yo or zebra loaches. Would I be able to keep a pair of Apistogramma Agassizi along with the curviceps in a 30 long or would that be pushing it? Also if the two species are that similar I wouldn’t drive myself crazy trying to figure out exactly what species it is as long as it looks right and I have a general idea of the classification.

 

[neutrino]

I'm not certain in a 30. I had no issues with curviceps with apistos or rams, they got along fine for me, so based on that I'd be willing to try it. But mine were in a bigger tank and other fish in the tank were bigger. But for me the cuviceps found a peaceful niche in the tank and were no trouble at all.

I have some experience with loaches, not extensive. I'd think it would work, but haven't had yo yo loaches specifically. I've had weather loaches that were interesting fish and didn't bother other fish at all.

 

[TigerTalon1]

I'm not certain in a 30. I had no issues with curviceps with apistos or rams, they got along fine for me, so based on that I'd be willing to try it. But mine were in a bigger tank and other fish in the tank were bigger. But for me the cuviceps found a peaceful niche in the tank and were no trouble at all.

I have some experience with loaches, not extensive. I'd think it would work, but haven't had yo yo loaches specifically. I've had weather loaches that were interesting fish and didn't bother other fish at all.

Ya I think I will try it, of course it’s not going to be instantaneously perfect like every aquarium it will take time to tweak to accomplish inspiration.

I will update soon thank you for the info very helpful. If the tank ends up being too small I could move around some tanks since I have a 40B that currently houses temporary fish including (1) red breast sunfish which I am moving to my pond soon, a fm green terror, and 6x Tiger Barbs and 6x Whiteskirt Tetras. I was trying to save that tank for either Blue Acara(regular) or electric blue acara because it’s larger but if problems arise in the 30L I could use the 40B instead although that wouldn’t be ideal. I doubt anything will happen in the 30L if I get the fish at 1 or 2inches just because they are so small and that tank would last them a good while. Although I’ve seen cichlids be completely peaceful in a non cichlid community tank but as soon as another cichlid is introduced it gets harassed in particular.