Centerpiece fish- Syn/Mel or Bifa?

[Sac39051]

Cycling my 6 foot 150gal, trying to decide on a Rapps Rio Grijalva bifasciatus or synspilum/melanura (or other variety perhaps?) as my centerpiece.

Looking for best coloration and least aggression. What are your opinions?

Other occupants will be Rainbowfish, clown loaches, Senegal bichir, gold nugget pleco.

Total water volume with sump, attached low tech planted and refugium will be about 220 gallons.

 

[kno4te]

Gourami Swami

 

[Backfromthedead]

Of the 3, my vote goes to synspilum.

maskaheros argentea would be a fine choice for that tank as well.

 

[Sac39051]

Argentae are nice, but doesn’t the general concensus indicate they tend to be on the more aggressive side of the vieja varieties?

 

[Rocksor]

I know it's not a vieja type, but would you be willing to consider a pearsei?

 

[Gourami Swami]

^ Pearsae, or bocourti as well, are good suggestions for large passive fish

From the two you listed, I would go with the melanurum if you are looking for passive. They tend to be the most relaxed of the Viejas in my experience, other than perhaps heterospilus

 

[PhishMon84]

This is the wild pair those juvenile Bifas came from- beautiful fish. They are sitting on a spawn in my tank now.

I’m also a huge fan of the melanura Lago Peten variety.

Pearsei- now that’s a fish I regret selling.
Super mellow, super friendly very impressive

 

[dogofwar]

A Uaru would also be a nice - and peaceful - choice.

Any of the fish you listed will get big and likely eat community fish (or die trying to eat a clown loach).

 

[Sac39051]

I was considering a persei, love the look and reported temperament. I was concerned about max size though in an 18” wide tank

 

[Sac39051]

This is the wild pair those juvenile Bifas came from- beautiful fish. They are sitting on a spawn in my tank now.

I’m also a huge fan of the melanura Lago Peten variety.

Pearsei- now that’s a fish I regret selling.
Super mellow, super friendly very impressive

View attachment 1354906

Beautiful specimens!