6 Uarus Oh boy!

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Bubbles0815

Feeder Fish
MFK Member
Jul 14, 2008
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Olmsted Falls, Ohio
Hello, I just set up my 55 after having it down for 4 yrs. Pretty excited about it. However, I am a little worried about the fish I bought. 6 baby Uarus, I only plan on keeping 2 but since I want to try and have a pair the LFS suggested I get 6. I'll be honest I didn't know about them until I saw them at the LFS. They had 2 older ones not full grown that had such personality and the person that worked there raved about them and their personality. Since I only had 2 Apistos and 2 baby Tapajos and 2 baby Angels I thought they would be ok. I shared the info on my current set up with the LFS person who said what I have is fine and the uarus would be fine too since I'm only keeping 2 full grown and they will get along with what I have. He didn't say they 10in! I've read alot and I'm getting mixed info some say 2 are ok in a 55 others say they are not. I have them now and they are doing very well it's only been a day and they are small about 2in. But I can't help but overthink this situation. At this time I don't see anything larger than a 55 in my near future but not totally out of the question. Based on what I've seen on the other threads I'm sure I'm gonna hear they need a bigger tank at some point. But what I would like to hear is how to keep them in the 55gal successfully until I can upgrade. Again, long term I just want to keep 2. I read they are poopy and need water changes weekly, not a problem. I have a python that makes that a cinch. How much water should I take out with these messy guys as they get bigger? Also, what age or size do they pair off? If full grown then I guess I won't be able to guarantee a pairing off :cry:. I'm looking for honest yet courteous feedback from those with Uaru experience. I've kept fish (Primarily Angels, other mild-mannered Cichlids and Plecos) for over 20 yrs but not such a large species.

Thanks a bunch :)
 
Hi mate. I have limited experience as I have had 4 for the last 3 months.
I bought these fish at 2 inches and the largest is now 5 inches and the other 3 around 3.5-4.
I keep these in a 180 with various geos in a SA community. They are the most aggressive feeders in the tank and can out muscle much larger fish when looking for food. They are pigs and eat everything, I feed mine frozen bloodworm, brine and hikari gold sinking pellets. Its also important to give them some vegitable matter weekly, I tie lettuce to driftwood and its gone in an hour. This is to prevent hole in the head which I hear they are susceptible too.
They are messy eaters and the tank gets 50% water changes twice a week.
They do grow large and I've seen them up too 12 inches and very thick, similar to severums. The problem is they are sociable fish and like to be kept in groups so 2 might not be the best scenario, 4-6 is ideal. I believe they get sexually mature at around 7-8 inches and there is no way to tell males from females
They are very peaceful fish so no problems with current stock although they may eat your apistoes long term.
They have a similar personality to oscars and are very personable and great fish to keep, however a 55 is really going ti to be good for a year then you really will need to upgrade.
I hope you decide to hang on to the group as they are a very underrated fish and rewarding to keep. Hopefully you'l manage to upgrade to something larger in a years time?
Hope my limited experience us helpful.
Post pics of yiur group, would love to see them.


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Well frist off the number one rule is to research any species before purchasing them. So I guess now you learned that the hard way.

Uaru are great fish with a pretty even teperament for a cichlid. They are like aquatic cows and love eating veggies. The idea of getting 6 young fish almost always garrentees a pair. I hope the LFS is willing to take the other 4 back. For now as a grow out tank your 55 is fine. I don't think a 55 is the ideal capacity for a pair but with good managment and maintenance it can be done. Over filter the tank by using at least a Fuval 305 combined with a Aquaclear 70 HOB or equivalent. Do weekly 100%+ water changes actually 2 x 50/60% feed a high quality food such as NLS in a size that's easly swallowed without chewing and excess waste and do not over feed. I would also keep only the pair in the 55 as they grow to minumize the bio-load. Then you can upgrade to somthing like a 125 when you get the chance. A bigger aquarium is much easier to maintane then a smaller one because it is more stable.
 
Thank you both for your replies. I have great info to think about and prepare for. That's what I am looking for. I guess if I keep them I should plan on upgrading in a year. I can handle doing 2x week WCs but I don't think I could be happy with a tank with just two fish :grinno:. I know me and if these guys capture my heart I'll do what it takes to keep them happy and healthy including getting a bigger tank :screwy:. I'll start doing my homework and price out everything I will need to set up something larger so I don't break the bank all at one time. In the meantime, the 55 is running on a Marineland Penguin 350 HOB filter and just ordered a sponge filter to run and have as a power outage back up. At this point do I need another one? Or in a month or two..and what exactly is the type your describing Tom? I've always used HOB filters and sponge filters, sorry I need more clarity :nilly:

One last thing. When do I start doing 2x week WCs?
 
Where is this in ohio? I am at the most southern point of Ohio


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A Fluval 305 is a canister filter. This size filter can also be used in combination with an HOB like your Penguin 350 with good results and on your eventual upgrade to say a 125. I like using two filters and two heaters on my tanks as the chances of two pieces of equipment going bad at once is very slim. With 2 filters you can also alternate cleannings so you don't whack the bio-filter too hard at any one time. The sponge filter your getting is great for increasing the biological filter capacity too. I think you will be fine for a year as long as you are diligent with your maintenance. Just don't over feed and remember to keep the pellet size small enough to be swallowed whole, chewing creats waste and fouls the water faster most hobbiest overfeed and use too large a pellet. You will see when it's time to cull fish or upgrade. For now weekly 50% WC are fine as the fish grow and consume more food you will need to up the frequency to the 2 x 50/60% I mentioned earlier. I would start looking at Craigslist and if you see any good deals on tanks and stands get them as you can afford and when you have everything you need set up the new tank. You can get some really great bargans if you hit it right and since you have time you can pick and choose.
 
Aquanero said:
A Fluval 305 is a canister filter. This size filter can also be used in combination with an HOB like your Penguin 350 with good results and on your eventual upgrade to say a 125. I like using two filters and two heaters on my tanks as the chances of two pieces of equipment going bad at once is very slim. With 2 filters you can also alternate cleannings so you don't whack the bio-filter too hard at any one time. The sponge filter your getting is great for increasing the biological filter capacity too. I think you will be fine for a year as long as you are diligent with your maintenance. Just don't over feed and remember to keep the pellet size small enough to be swallowed whole, chewing creats waste and fouls the water faster most hobbiest overfeed and use too large a pellet. You will see when it's time to cull fish or upgrade. For now weekly 50% WC are fine as the fish grow and consume more food you will need to up the frequency to the 2 x 50/60% I mentioned earlier. I would start looking at Craigslist and if you see any good deals on tanks and stands get them as you can afford and when you have everything you need set up the new tank. You can get some really great bargans if you hit it right and since you have time you can pick and choose.
Click to expand...

Ok. I have never used a canister filter. I'll have to read up on what I need to set it up and how it works lol

I already checked Craigslist and I found a beautiful 125g with tank, stand, and hoodlights for $385. It's beautiful! I may go to the LFS that has layaway although and price out those tanks too. Probably be way more expensive. The deliemma I see is how to get that beast of a tank like that to my place.

Thanks for the tip on having 2 heaters. I never thought about if one goes out. In my 55 would I run them both at the same time? My last question is I can put 3 filters to run, HOB, Canister, and Sponge in my current 55?

As for the food. I bought veggie rounds which are big and they nip off it. I get mouthsize pellets ASAP. I have frog pellets that are tiny balls but Im not sure if that is nutrious enough? I haven't found mouthsize veggie pellets yet. I suppose I can try crushing the rounds for smaller bites.

Tom I really respect your advice. Thanks!
 
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