Hi Everyone,
For the past 12 months or so I have been slowly developing an American set up based around some of my favourite species.
As a keeper I have tried to experiment as much as possible and will be the first to admit that I am not completely experienced. But if something went wrong I was always quick to correct the errors and remove any of the problems.
I have finally managed to get hold of all of my favourite species and a new larger set up.
I transferred the old water from my 75 gallon to a new 100 gallon along with 25 gallons worth of new water.
My stock is, for the size of my set up, not recommended but this is a risk I am willing to take and one that I am also as suggested previously, able to correct if need be.
It will be closely monitored and I will remove anything that becomes either to aggressive or is not completely healthy as a result. For now the entire set up is very peaceful and there is no aggression whatsoever. I guess part of this experiment is to determine whether or not over crowding can be achieved with American Cichlids.
My final stock is as follows and the current sizes are indicated:
Midas - Amphilophus Citrinellus 3.5 inch
Oscar - Astronotus ocellatus 7 inch
Texas - Herichtys Carpintis 5.5 inch
Jack Dempsey - Rocio Octofasciata 7 inch male
Jack Dempsey - Rocio Octofasciata 5.5 inch female
Jaguar - Parachromis Managuense 5 inch
Here are some photos of my set up -
Breeding pair of Jacks - successfully bred in there with fellow occupants and strange to say, not much aggression at all. They had their own nest that I created. I put nets around the gaps to stop the fry from swimming out to far and left a gap small enough for the female to leave. It worked very well. I believe that she ended up eating the fry herself though.
My biggest challenge will be to keep the peace with the Midas in there long term but I will have another set up for it by the time it reaches 5 - 6 inch - in case it starts to get to aggressive.
So yes I am breaking the rules but I want to see if I can create a nice balanced set up, i.e no fighting or aggression with those particular species co-existing.
I know it depends on the invididual but Oscars and Jack Dempseys seem to be a perfect balance. They both are not concerned by each other despite being the same size and potential competition for food.
The Carpintis occasionaly chases the Midas for now but nothing to serious. The Jaguar is keeping himself to himself.
My Jack Dempsey pair have their own area and the others don't seem to challenge for it.
I believe that as long as there is no competition in there and they are all invididual specimens with their own colours then it could work out. To any keeper starting out, don't try this unless you want to take the risk like me.
Listen to the other members on here who will tell you that on average it won't be possible. It is only on rare occasions, experimenting with the individual fish not the type of fish, that it may work out.
Thanks for looking
For the past 12 months or so I have been slowly developing an American set up based around some of my favourite species.
As a keeper I have tried to experiment as much as possible and will be the first to admit that I am not completely experienced. But if something went wrong I was always quick to correct the errors and remove any of the problems.
I have finally managed to get hold of all of my favourite species and a new larger set up.
I transferred the old water from my 75 gallon to a new 100 gallon along with 25 gallons worth of new water.
My stock is, for the size of my set up, not recommended but this is a risk I am willing to take and one that I am also as suggested previously, able to correct if need be.
It will be closely monitored and I will remove anything that becomes either to aggressive or is not completely healthy as a result. For now the entire set up is very peaceful and there is no aggression whatsoever. I guess part of this experiment is to determine whether or not over crowding can be achieved with American Cichlids.
My final stock is as follows and the current sizes are indicated:
Midas - Amphilophus Citrinellus 3.5 inch
Oscar - Astronotus ocellatus 7 inch
Texas - Herichtys Carpintis 5.5 inch
Jack Dempsey - Rocio Octofasciata 7 inch male
Jack Dempsey - Rocio Octofasciata 5.5 inch female
Jaguar - Parachromis Managuense 5 inch
Here are some photos of my set up -
Breeding pair of Jacks - successfully bred in there with fellow occupants and strange to say, not much aggression at all. They had their own nest that I created. I put nets around the gaps to stop the fry from swimming out to far and left a gap small enough for the female to leave. It worked very well. I believe that she ended up eating the fry herself though.
My biggest challenge will be to keep the peace with the Midas in there long term but I will have another set up for it by the time it reaches 5 - 6 inch - in case it starts to get to aggressive.
So yes I am breaking the rules but I want to see if I can create a nice balanced set up, i.e no fighting or aggression with those particular species co-existing.
I know it depends on the invididual but Oscars and Jack Dempseys seem to be a perfect balance. They both are not concerned by each other despite being the same size and potential competition for food.
The Carpintis occasionaly chases the Midas for now but nothing to serious. The Jaguar is keeping himself to himself.
My Jack Dempsey pair have their own area and the others don't seem to challenge for it.
I believe that as long as there is no competition in there and they are all invididual specimens with their own colours then it could work out. To any keeper starting out, don't try this unless you want to take the risk like me.
Listen to the other members on here who will tell you that on average it won't be possible. It is only on rare occasions, experimenting with the individual fish not the type of fish, that it may work out.
Thanks for looking
