I'm not one to tell people what to put with what. But, with that said and if you decide to do it, I definately wouldn't do a bare tank. I'd put in plenty of driftwood and plants to break up the line of sight. At least this way, the dovii and umbee don't have to stare at each other 24 hours a day. I would almost guarantee it would only serve to fuel frustration which can ultimately lead to nuisance aggression when one has finally had enough of the other. "He was looking at me cross eyed."
Take teeth out of the equation. Both the umbee and the dovii are on a whole different level when it comes to the damage they are capable of doing just by their sheer size and speed. I've seen a 15" jaguar explode with energy swimming faster than I thought possible. I thought he was going to break 1/2" thick glass he hit it so hard. And he got this speed up in the distance of about two feet. Now, I try to imagine the power from a fish not only twice that length but more than twice as heavy and with six or seven feet with which to get a good head of steam ramming a tankmate. A lot of decor will prevent the opportunity for this to happen in most cases. And justs taking away the opportunities for aggression to take place is sometimes enough.
And I'd put in a lot of convicts. Maybe two dozen. It'll give both the umbee and dovii "little people" to sort of rule over, maybe satisfying them a little more. I like to keep predators happy to get them to coexist. And by happy, I mean not frustrated. I feed mine a big variety and large amounts and include a variety of live foods. I give them all a "house" using decor that they can claim. I try to manipulate the variables to work for me rather than against me.
But more than all of that, it's going to largely depend on the individual personalties of the fishes you select. And keep in mind, what works for me might not work for you. And at the end of the day, you're dealing with two of the biggest and "meanest" cichlids out there. Anything can happen.
Take teeth out of the equation. Both the umbee and the dovii are on a whole different level when it comes to the damage they are capable of doing just by their sheer size and speed. I've seen a 15" jaguar explode with energy swimming faster than I thought possible. I thought he was going to break 1/2" thick glass he hit it so hard. And he got this speed up in the distance of about two feet. Now, I try to imagine the power from a fish not only twice that length but more than twice as heavy and with six or seven feet with which to get a good head of steam ramming a tankmate. A lot of decor will prevent the opportunity for this to happen in most cases. And justs taking away the opportunities for aggression to take place is sometimes enough.
And I'd put in a lot of convicts. Maybe two dozen. It'll give both the umbee and dovii "little people" to sort of rule over, maybe satisfying them a little more. I like to keep predators happy to get them to coexist. And by happy, I mean not frustrated. I feed mine a big variety and large amounts and include a variety of live foods. I give them all a "house" using decor that they can claim. I try to manipulate the variables to work for me rather than against me.
But more than all of that, it's going to largely depend on the individual personalties of the fishes you select. And keep in mind, what works for me might not work for you. And at the end of the day, you're dealing with two of the biggest and "meanest" cichlids out there. Anything can happen.
