Acarichthys heckelii - Questions

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1

12Inch

Feeder Fish
MFK Member
Aug 23, 2014
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United States
I am looking at stocking some Threadfins (Acarichthys heckelii) and any other helpful tips would be welcomed.


I have been told that they are somewhat delicate when it comes to stress, water quality, and tank mates. It has been compared to the Cupido and for those who have issues withe the Ramses cichlids.

I did take a shot a while back and within 2 days all 5 developed Ick quicker than I have ever seen in 25 years in the hobby. Of course I will not say where I purchased them but have learned they are the last resort for ordering fish.....Anyway

Right now my tank has some Celebese, Rasboras, and Emperor Tetras of which I will be moving some soon enough.

So are they as delicate that has been told to me?

Was I just unlucky with a ill batch of fish?

Im blank now because Tony Romo is a moron and had a few other questions GUH!!!

Any and all helpful hints/tips would be greatly apprecaited ;)
 
I have 5 juveniles in a 125 with 2 severums, angel, 7 Bolivian rams and a juvenile albino bristlenose. I have had them about a month and they get along well. They are ravenous eaters...lol This is my first time with them so don't have any experience.
 
Definitely not delicate, imo they're quite hardy. I bought 3 females and a male a couple of years ago and they've been in with various tankmates from peacock bass and silver dollars, to loisellei and an a umbee without any issues.
 
I don't find them to be delicate, although higher temps are the norm in their home waters (28-30.5'C, Cichlocki 1976), and they are sensitive to high nitrates and low oxygen levels. So frequent water changes should be the norm, I do daily 20-30% changes. I've had mine about 4 years, and they are 7-8".
At maturity they can become aggressive with each other in tanks as large as 6ft, although they seem to ignore other species.
I have them with other northern South American species such as xCichlasoma ornatum, Guianacara sp, and Cenicichla sp belly crawler.


 
I have three that are about 2 years old and around 7" in a 225 wide with sev, bellycrawler, melanurus, and a polleni. They bicker amongst themselves on occasion and avoid confrontation with others but never hide. Never had issues with health.
 
I haven't found them to be especially sensitive or difficult... although they're unpredictable in their aggression, especially once they're mature.

They like warm-ish, clean water...but so do most SA cichlids :)

Matt
 
Well it seems as though my original assumptions were correct and the seller screwed me. Ive appreciated all the input Thank you so much....Gorgeous fish from you all ;)
 
They will eat small tetras.
And just because they got ich, doesn't mean it came from the seller, although possible.
Did you quarantine them?
Quarantine is not only to protect your fish, it is also to protect new fish from a pathogen that may be in your tank, yet your fish may be immune to.
Stress from travel and a new environment puts any fish in a position to easily develop disease.
 
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