Couple videos of the 300

[NW Cichlid Keith]

I've taken a lot of fish out of this tank - just don't like the conflict. They are growing and I'm now down to:

1 male orange/white Midas
1 male Amarillo (fins recovering after reintroduction and finally learning he needs to back down)
1 male Chancho
1 male Escondido (hiding in the vids)
1 TBD/likely female Synspilum
1 TBD Regani
1 male Jack D.
1 female Freddy
1 female Festae
1 Cuvier bichir (hiding in the vids but very active usually)
1 Featherfin Squaker Cat (hiding in the vids, but usally out as well)
4 Clown loaches

The two video links below show what it currently looks like: Hopefully this works

The video link below shows what it looked like shortly after setting up the tank - in June of 2016.

 

[Gourami Swami]

Tank looks great man. Good stocking choices. Jealous of what you can get to behave together in a 300.

 

[NW Cichlid Keith]

Tank looks great man. Good stocking choices. Jealous of what you can get to behave together in a 300.

Thanks - there have been time outs and a few removed. I’m still not sure the Amarillo will be a permanent resident. Also, the orange/white midas and festae are starting to breed - if that continues, all bets are off.

 

[PhishMon84]

I love the looks of that midas-
Do you keep sponges/airstones in the large strawberry pots?

Pardon my ignorance but what is the footprint of a 300gal? Is this on a concrete slab/basement ?

 

[Cichlids-r-beasts]

Thanks - there have been time outs and a few removed. I’m still not sure the Amarillo will be a permanent resident. Also, the orange/white midas and festae are starting to breed - if that continues, all bets are off.

I'm guessing the midas is the boss of the tank? Or is it the chancho?

 

[NW Cichlid Keith]

I love the looks of that midas-
Do you keep sponges/airstones in the large strawberry pots?

Pardon my ignorance but what is the footprint of a 300gal? Is this on a concrete slab/basement ?

Thanks - I keep waiting for the Midas to get a taller figure and nuchal hump. I have 6 Hydro Pro V sponges and about 5 gallons of pond matrix in bags in the pots. That handles that bio perfectly and gives smaller fish room to hide if need be. I added a Eheim 2262 b/c I was not achieving the clarity I wanted. I have two large powerhead/pumps (like 1200 gph) that I added as well. One runs full time and the other comes on w/ the lights. It is 8 ft. long by 2 ft. wide by 2.5 ft. high. If I could do it again, I would switch the width and height. It would give a larger footprint for the fish, be easier to clean, and be even more structurally sound - though this one seems to be fine - I used 3/4 acrylic and see no bowing.

 

[NW Cichlid Keith]

I'm guessing the midas is the boss of the tank? Or is it the chancho?

Right now the Midas runs the tank, but that could be short lived. The Trimac and Barred Midas ran the tank last - Trimac was sold and Barred is mating in a 135. The Amarillo ran it next, but was relentless - would pursue fish even if they backed down and ran. I moved him to a 75 for about 6 or 9 months. The others outgrew him and now I put him back. He got his but kicked trying to take control again but now understands he has to buy his time. Festae was way down, but is now number two, given that she is trying to mate. The Amarillo or Synspilum is next. All that said, no one messes w/ the Jack Dempsey and he doesn't mess with anyone - unless you pick on him or someone near him that is small - then God help you. He really is an awesome personality - hates bullies but doesn't care if two punks are fighting. I had to move him from a previous tank w/ a 12" flowerhorn. He wouldn't start anything but wouldn't back down - I was afraid he would be killed as he would not retreat. I had to remove the HRP and Loiselle - they would stay in their spot and rush out to take pot shots - starting a chain reaction of aggression. All others just do their thing. I have never seen any aggression towards the clowns, bichir, or squeaker cat from any of the cichlids. I had to remove tinfoil barbs and bala sharks - the fish figured they could get a free meal as they swam by. The tinfoil barbs and balas were never at risk at dying and they kept replenishing scales at a fast rate - but I didn't think it was fair to the fish.

 

[NW Cichlid Keith]

I should add that the Trimac was actually pretty cool 99% of the time. The problem was when he was fed. He would lose it if any fish came near him during feeding and w/ his teeth, he was doing some serious damage very quickly. I really miss him. I took him out in February and unsuccessfully tried to breed him. I sold the pair and he broke through it on the second day and killed the girl - at least that is what the guy who purchased him told me. I don't think some folks understand just how powerful these fish are.

 

[NW Cichlid Keith]

Below are pics of the Flowerhorn after he had to be removed. This was my wife's fish and he ultimately passed away - I miss him, but the 135 freed up for my barred midas pair, which was a nice consolation.

 

[robham777]

That JD is awesome. I don't recall seeing many that outgoing before.