I currently have a 135 gallon 72 inch tank. Currently there are 2 oscars around 2 inches, 1 2 inch green terror and 1 tiny, maybe 1 inch severum. Would an ornate bichir be a good addition to this tank? Anyone ever try this mix? I saw some little 2 inch ornates and thought they looked pretty cool. Also, how big do the ornates get?
American cichlids and bichir?
- Thread starter cichla1004
- Start date
cichla1004;821271; said:
http://www.monsterfishkeepers.com/forums/showthread.php?t=65770 , the ornate might eventually eat them, itll get 2'.
A 2 foot ornate can eat a 12 inch plus fish?? I know the ornates get pretty big but have you ever seen a full grown oscar, green terror or severum in person? I was wondering more about if they would fight or if water parameters or bioload would be a problem. I am currently running two biowheel power filters rated at 800 gph. Thanks for the info everyone, and if you really think my cichlids are in danger of being eaten by an ornate is there a bichir that stays on the smaller side?
My concern was more the green terror being agressive.Bichirs should be kept with non agressive tankmates.Also the chances are great that the growth rate of the ornate may out pace the other tankmates-Anne
I wouldn't worry about the ornate eating any of the tank mates you've listed, agression on the other hand would be something to keep an eye out for. These Birchirs are not very aggressive, but they can become stressed in an overly agressive tank and get the urge to jump.
Have any of you guys ever kept green terrors? This is my first one and I have heard all kinds of mixed info about aggression levels. Mine is actually quite timid and leaves everyone alone, I wonder if it's due to young age. I think I'll opt out on the bichir though, at least until I get my 500 gallon then he can have the 135. Thanks for all the info everyone.
cichla1004;822863; said:
Just curious, do you mean both of your biowheels are rated at 800 gph or 800 gph combined?? If not combined, what biowheel are you talking about?
DANG those filter are crazy if thats really what they filter but the ornate can't eat them when adult but it might grow fast enough to eat them when young but green terrors might be to aggressive you should watch them but if the poly dosn't get picked on then thay do just fine with cichlids
800 combined. I wish I could find an 800gph biowheel lol. I have another one in storage too, I just don't want too strong of a current right now as my severum is only a little over an inch. I think I'm going to let my cichlids grow a little more and then try a bichir in there. Maybe once the severum is up towards 4 inches. What is the normal growth rate for a well fed ornate bichir? Thanks very much for all the info guys.