Best "Solo" cichlid?

[Jc1119]

I disagree with the "no tank is really sufficient" comment. Any tank that is 8'x3'x3' or larger would be fine, imo. There is no such thing as a captive bred pacu that is 38" tall, and actually, I've never even heard of a wild caught specimen that large. They usually get to about 24" tall max.

Missing one key point here. They are schoolers. Should he kept in a group of at least 5-6 and even at 18-24" per fish no tank us really sufficient. Lots of better smaller more colorful species to consider. I've seen plenty of lone specimens kept, but they are never truly happy that way. Best left in the wild or in ponds.

 

[jclyde13]

Missing one key point here. They are schoolers. Should he kept in a group of at least 5-6 and even at 18-24" per fish no tank us really sufficient. Lots of better smaller more colorful species to consider. I've seen plenty of lone specimens kept, but they are never truly happy that way. Best left in the wild or in ponds.

I'm well aware of their schooling behavior, and with an average size of 26-30", they'd be fine in an 8x3x3. And FYI, there are plenty of tanks out there that are much larger than what I'm suggesting, so to say that no tank is large enough makes no sense whatsoever.

 

[Bderick67]

Missing one key point here. They are schoolers. Should he kept in a group of at least 5-6 and even at 18-24" per fish no tank us really sufficient. Lots of better smaller more colorful species to consider. I've seen plenty of lone specimens kept, but they are never truly happy that way. Best left in the wild or in ponds.

The large 30-36" at the local public aquarium here do not school, and actually seem a little territorial.

 

[Jc1119]

The large 30-36" at the local public aquarium here do not school, and actually seem a little territorial.

Which is why they are best left in the wild.....

 

[goldenballer]

Which is why they are best left in the wild.....

Agreed

 

[Jc1119]

I'm well aware of their schooling behavior, and with an average size of 26-30", they'd be fine in an 8x3x3. And FYI, there are plenty of tanks out there that are much larger than what I'm suggesting, so to say that no tank is large enough makes no sense whatsoever.

Sure they'll fit, but do you really think it's fair to the fish? IMO this is a species that is best left in the wild. Agree do disagree. And yes, I am one if those people who made the mistake of buying 6 without researching the fish( pre- Internet) and keeping them in a 180 gallon. I was lucky enough to be able to relocate them to a large pond once they reached about 12".

I'm not saying it CAN'T be done. I'm saying that it shouldn't. Just my opinion of course.

 

[VRWC]

I'm well aware of their schooling behavior, and with an average size of 26-30", they'd be fine in an 8x3x3. And FYI, there are plenty of tanks out there that are much larger than what I'm suggesting, so to say that no tank is large enough makes no sense whatsoever.

While derailing yet another thread with your off topic opinion, it seems (in your own mind) that you know everything to know and are the only one with correct answers on a very subjective topic.

There are very few people on here with 8x3x3 tanks (still not big enough for a healthy full grown pacu IMO)...and Id be willing to bet that on a forum of over 82,000 members that less than 100 have a tank that size...thats about .12%. So thats not a very likely scenario.

And just because you havent caught any that big (in KY?) doesnt mean jack. I catch hammerhead sharks yearly but never caught one over 8 ft...doesnt mean they dont exist, does it?

Pacus grow TOO big for 99% of aquariums people can realistically keep....

 

[hamfist]

I really don't see the point of getting an aggressive fish if you'll keep it alone and never see it's aggression. Kinda defeats the purpose doesn't it?

Ummmmm ... you'll see plenty of aggression directed at you, or the dog or any living thing that passes within a few feet of the tank. Or even inanimate objects within the tank which it takes a dislike to.
So .... plenty of aggression still to see !

 

[Jc1119]

Ummmmm ... you'll see plenty of aggression directed at you, or the dog or any living thing that passes within a few feet of the tank. Or even inanimate objects within the tank which it takes a dislike to.
So .... plenty of aggression still to see !

I see. I've always found most species that I've kept singly usually acted more skittish and timid. Haven't kept too many solitary cichlids though. Or at least none that didn't have to be put in solitary because of the aggression they displayed towards other fish in a group setting. I think my dog ( who watches my tanks almost more than I do) would get a kick out of that!! Have to try it sometime

 

[Miguel]

I like having some glass bangers in solo set ups....