Well Istlanums are referred to as mini umbees. Grammodes are alot more shy but istlanums aggression is similar (case by case of course) So no they are not community fish 
Anyone Know What This Fish Is?
- Thread starter MonsterCichlids75
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Well Istlanums are referred to as mini umbees. Grammodes are alot more shy but istlanums aggression is similar (case by case of course) So no they are not community fish
Hmm.. Well my biggest tank is a 220gal. (72x24x30) and currently ive got a BIG male vieja argentea, a full grown pair of salvini(the pair in my avatar), an 8" featherfin cat, an adult male jack dempsey(10") and an adult female Mayan cichlid(10-11"). They've been in there for almost 2.5 years and they all seem to live in relative harmony. No torn or shredded fins, theyre all in great condition. just the occasional gill flare match but other than that it seems very well balanced. Ive told myself in not going to screw with that tank since all is going very well BUT ive never had the opportunity to own an istlanum. If i got him and grew him out in my 75, would he work in my 220? Or should i just leave well enough alone on this one? Im just picturing the argentea being a reall a**hole if i try to add another fish but who knows.. What do you guys think? Also just as a side note, when the Sals lay eggs its always on the same rock and ive been taking the rock with eggs out and raising the babies in a separate tank just to keep the peace. Also i dont want to get into overstocking issues.. What do you think about one day trying to put an istlanum in there?
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I can't tell you how many times things have been going too perfectly in my tanks before I went and screwed it up because I saw a fish I couldn't pass on. I think that's the nature of fish keeping. I still say buy it. Sometimes, even against the odds, it works out and boom, tank nirvana.
I couldn't agree more! Ive done that many a time in my 125 and 75.. Youre right its just a part of being a hobbyist. For 9 bucks, i might as well buy the little guy, grow him out and see what happens.. If worst comes to worst i can move him back to my 75 alone until i figure something out. But what a cool fish, id love to add him to the 220! We'll see what happens.. Whats the max size for a male istlanum? Ive read 12" but most people realistically say 8-9"
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I've heard twelve but I don't have any personal experience. And MC75, I wouldnt let on to the shopkeeper that he's got a rarer cichlid than he thinks. Odds are he will do it again and you don't want him getting any wiser. Thank him for the "Jack Dempsey."
