Advise needed: ATFs shoal or comm

[thebiggerthebetter]

Coming close to 3 years now. Giving a quick update here (and hopefully more in the future).

The VATFs and FATF didn’t made it past the 2 year mark due to glass crashing and in 2 cases, jumped from the tank.

The GAFT has grown now to about 22 inches plus or minus. It is now housed in a 8 x 4 x4 FGT with a monster hystrix and some cichlids.

Appreciate the update. Surprised that the GATF is the only one that has remained. In my experience, I seem to lose 10+ GATF to 1 VATF when it comes to suicide.

Why does the butti look like it is sown from two different fish?

Is the window glass or acrylic? If acrylic, I'd be afraid to put any pleco, let alone such a large one, in there for the fear of them scratching up the acrylic with their teeth.

 

[Red Aimara]

Appreciate the update. Surprised that the GATF is the only one that has remained. In my experience, I seem to lose 10+ GATF to 1 VATF when it comes to suicide.

Why does the butti look like it is sown from two different fish?

Is the window glass or acrylic? If acrylic, I'd be afraid to put any pleco, let alone such a large one, in there for the fear of them scratching up the acrylic with their teeth.

I am actually quite surprised too. Perhaps being the sole GAFT saved it from same species aggression. But I do it being chased once in awhile before.

The butti was a feeder that got disfigured by my batch of Pygos last time. Outlived and outgrew them.

Tank is glass front. Acrylic tanks are almost non existent at this part of the world due to its cost.

 

[Red Aimara]

Size of the butti for comparison:



A pic taken today under the sunlight:

 

[Red Aimara]

Managed to take a top view of the fishes today. The L193 was measured at about 26 inches and the GAFT is closing in fast.

If we think GAFT are slow growers....pleco keepers will beg to differ. LOL!

 

[sunnysjourney]

That guy looks so nice red. Great job in getting him so big!

 

[fishtankphil]

Wow that gatf looks good...my goliath is over 2 feet now. Lives in a 1500 fiberglass tank outdoors too with a few other big fish.

 

[Red Aimara]

Thanks guys for the encouragement.

Another update.




It’s about 24-25 inches estimated. Diet is sliced sardines about 4 times a week.Set myself a tough target to get it to 30 inches by end 2020. LOL! Probably need to do two times WC weekly to stand a chance.