180g - Vieja Argentea - Green Terror - Oscar - Bichir Ansorgii

[Adam GR]

Hi All,

I would like to know your opinion what's are my odds to keep the above together in 180G aquarium? And if i should stick to this 4 fishes or maybe add something?
Currently I have Bichir (5in), Vieja (2.5in), Terror (3.5in) together with 8 Denisoni Barbs in 120g (5 foot) grow out tank. Oscar is an adult (12in) and already in 180g.
I am aware of Viejas's potential aggression, especially if it is adult male. This is actually what's makes me think if I should keep stock number low? so all 3 cichlids has a chance to establish territories (as long as my Vieja will not turn to be absolute tyrant). Or maybe add some other fishes to overstock slightly? or maybe one more fish, something even more feisty? Parachromis loisellei ? Cuban?
That's probably not the best idea but I always wanted one of above but concept of one fish tank isn't my style.
I am looking forward to listen from you guys , as I know we have here some real experts of South and Central monsters.

 

[duanes]

Let me preface this by saying Vieja argentea is one of my favorite Vieja type cichlids, but.....
I find them to be at the top of the aggresive status when it comes to any Central American out there, except maybe Vieja maculacauds.

In the early 2000s I took a trip to Don Conkels fish farm, and picked up 10 juvie agrentea, and 10 juvie regani.
They were fine, until one of the males hiit his stride and of maturity at about 5 -6 inches.
He killed all the other argentea, all the regani, and had a larger dovii, and managuense pinned in opposite ends of a 6 ft 150 gal tank.


I tried them a few years later in a species only tank, and they seemed to be OK,
but when the female rebuffed his attentions he killed her too, ending up´ alone in his own tank.

I have found them being to be reophillic, in nature, and that they need a strong current to expend excess energy against, much more than a oscar, or bichers find comfortable......
but
maybe my experience is an anomoly, so if you do take the plunge into argentea land, please share your experience, especially if different than mine..

 

[Adam GR]

Thank you for sharing. I am not very active poster but I am an active reader on this forum and I highly value your opinion Duanes.
Since I already have small argentea I will give it a go and I will update here about the outcome. I still have 120g - so if worse comes to worst I will move Vieja there (there will be only a few malawis - what’s left from my old collection).
Can you pls explain one thing - internet is full of videos of south/central american cichlid tanks and seems like people are overstocking to the level I wouldn’t overstock an african tank. What your opinion on that?
In my scenario would I have more chances if I add more fish or keep it low?

 

[duanes]

After growing out a 2nd male,a couple years later, I came across a female argentea on the GCCA web site.,
and pick it up from from Chicago
It had been been kept with Malalwi cichlds, with no problem, no problems.
I got the feeling it did not recogonize Malawi Africsns as part of the same family, so ingnored them as it would tetras.

Thats the one later killed by my male (I believe females to be much less volitile,but, just my opinion.

I also don´t believe in mixing fish from different continents) even different countries in the same tank, ....just one of my wierd bugaboos.
And sometimes that bias goes against the grain, so hope your luck is better than mine.
Those pairings are natures population controls.

For example.....In nature one hardly ever sees 2 species of Parachromis in the same habitat. etc etc

 

[Roger Mcfish]

Let me preface this by saying Vieja argentea is one of my favorite Vieja type cichlids, but.....
I find them to be at the top of the aggresive status when it comes to any Central American out there, except maybe Vieja maculacauds.

In the early 2000s I took a trip to Don Conkels fish farm, and picked up 10 juvie agrentea, and 10 juvie regani.
They were fine, until one of the males hiit his stride and of maturity at about 5 -6 inches.
He killed all the other argentea, all the regani, and had a larger dovii, and managuense pinned in opposite ends of a 6 ft 150 gal tank.

View attachment 1578297
I tried them a few years later in a species only tank, and they seemed to be OK,
but when the female rebuffed his attentions he killed her too, ending up´ alone in his own tank.

I have found them being to be reophillic, in nature, and that they need a strong current to expend excess energy against, much more than a oscar, or bichers find comfortable......
but
maybe my experience is an anomoly, so if you do take the plunge into argentea land, please share your experience, especially if different than mine..

You don't have a lot of luck with that 150 you keep mentioning huh? Lol

 

[duanes]

Actally I had that tank for over 30 years with lots of success, when I played by mother natures rules

Its just when I tried to fool or go against mother nature, by combining abberent flow rate s,pecies or opposite pH range need scenarios,, or certain fish that really don´t mesh,
where I had problems.
.
To me posting failures are more important than succeses.

 

[Roger Mcfish]

Actally I had that tank for over 30 years with lots of success, when I played by mother natures rules

Its just when I tried to fool or go against mother nature, by combining abberent flow rate s,pecies or opposite pH range need scenarios,, or certain fish that really don´t mesh,
where I had problems.
.
To me posting failures are more important than succeses.

I hear ya but everything died it sounded like lol

I've definitely had my break of the mill here and there when trying for pairs but you have me beat by a long shot lol