Aimara vs GATF vs Other

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nzafi

Goliath Tigerfish
MFK Member
Mar 14, 2008
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My rhom is likely on his way out, so I am doing a little thinking of what is next. I wanted to get others feedback considering my only experience is with piranha. Here is what I want/will do:
- I want a solo fish that I can keep for many years (kept my rhom for 17 years and plan on doing this with the next fish)
- The starting tank will be 180g so plan to start with around 6in but plan to upgrade in 3 years+. The next tank will probably be around 8x3(wide)x30in(tall) to max 9ftx4ft(wide)x 30in(tall). The smaller foot print is more likely though.
- I want an aggressive fish with lots of personality. My rhom right now watches, follows me around the room, patrols his tank, and I have even hand fed him at one point. He has the personality that everyone wants out of a piranha.
- I have limited time on my my hands so I do need a somewhat hardy fish. With my rhom I get away with 50% weekly water changes, can go up to a 1 week or 2 weeks without feeding. I can always do water changes twice a week but will never be able to do more frequently than that. I know juveniles need to be fed more often but as the fish ages I would like this to happen.
- Also from a hardy stand point, the fish will need to be tolerate various ph, hardness, etc as I will not deal with using chemicals.
- Ultimately I want a true monster that gets to 2-2.5ft. I know these guys get much bigger in the wild, but I don't think anyone has grown them beyond that. I doubt there is something magical in my water that make me be the first

Aimara is probably highest on my list, and I love the look of GATF. Not sure what else is out there. Thought about a mbu puffer or payara but don't think either one attracts me like these other guys. I also think aimara meets all the "hardy" requirements while it seems like GATF are rather sensitive.

This is a bit of a "dream" more because I am waiting for my rhom to pass. I am also thinking of this because I have raised my rhom from 2in to 10/11in over nearly 17 years and it my way of just dealing with the scenario so please don't blast me for this. If I am truly lucky, he will beat his accelerating case of HITH (many threads on this) and I will have him for another 10 years. I originally wanted to grow out a manueli, which I currently have, but all he does is hide and I know I will never get him past 12in.

Thoughts?
 
Aimara sounds better for you I think. Just cause the atf might be flighty and you may not like that. And since the 3' width is more likely a wolf is better Imo. The wolf may deal with your "requirements" better than an atf as well.
 
That's what I'm thinking. In my current house I can actually do a tank up to 8ft and 42in wide. Bigger tank would have to wait until I move. But I'm only willing to upgrade once, so next tank would be final home.

Are gatf as flighty as red belly piranha? I just want to be able to watch the fish and work on the tank without it going berserk. I think tank size is a bigger factor as atf swim a lot more than aimara.
 
Well seeing as how you still have the rhom,wait till you move, and till he moves on, then upgrade to the biggest tank you can and get what suits what you're looking for and interested in best.
 
Like everyone else said...... Aimara fits the bill.....

I'd also consider a Dorado, just cause one fish gets boring regardless of what it is..... Maybe an Aimara and Dorado combo.....
 
Agreed on aimara over ATF (based on desires and criteria).

But if you want a "wet pet", nothing beats a large cichlid or puffer. If you are dead serious about your upgrade plans, I would recommend a Dovii or Mbu. Dovii can be hit or miss though -- they can be really shy or so aggressive that cleaning the tank is a PITA. Mbu are great and if you change your mind, tankmates are a possibility. They are more sensitive to water quality, though. A male Jaguar cichlid or Fahaka puffer would do great in a 180 for life. They are amongst my favorite pet fish, but it's unlikely either will grow more than 2 feet and a 450+ gallon tank would be a wasted opportunity. Both are common in the pet trade -- which could be a plus or a minus, depending on the mindset.

Since you have a rhom and manny right now, I assume the initial goal was to grow out a very large piranha. Have you considered a pygo -- specifically a Piraya instead? After 17 years, a Piraya would be a lot bigger than 11 inches.
 
I am hooked on piranha. My dream was to grow out a large rhom, manueli, and piraya. I've recently found some folks that have grown manueli from small to 13-14in which is making me reconsider. When my rhom passes I could always do a split large tank with a piraya. Piraya can easily hot 17-18in in captivity.

Biggest problem is that the piranha craze has died and new regulations are making things harder. Who knows when a fresh import of piraya will come. It's been a couple years. Guess I'm lucky to live 20min from aquascape.
 
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