Thanks so much, is there a way to tell female from male Cuban cichlids when they are young or no?
Cuban cichlid info (add any pics plz)
- Thread starter Cichlidsforlife
- Start date
The grammodes pair were slightly smaller, I grew them from 2" juvies.
I bought a bag of 7 at the American Cichlid Assn auction, and the alpha male killed 5, except the female he paired off with.
I find this to be normal cichlid behavior, and the reason I try to start with at least 6, more is better.
As you can see by my photos the female Cubans have a dark area in the dorsal fin, and their profile is more torpedo shalped than the males (females tend to be darker in general).
Males don't have the dark blotch in the dorsal, and are also usually larger, even if the same age.
Here is a young one, I believe turned out to be female.
I bought a bag of 7 at the American Cichlid Assn auction, and the alpha male killed 5, except the female he paired off with.
I find this to be normal cichlid behavior, and the reason I try to start with at least 6, more is better.
As you can see by my photos the female Cubans have a dark area in the dorsal fin, and their profile is more torpedo shalped than the males (females tend to be darker in general).
Males don't have the dark blotch in the dorsal, and are also usually larger, even if the same age.
Here is a young one, I believe turned out to be female.
I currently have a male Cuban in with a female blood parrot and a female Jaguar that is being grown out to be moved when she is too big. There is also an albino channel cat and a common pleco in with them and I have total peace. From what I’m told that is rare though. Normally they very aggressive. I found a great balance and I’m not messing with it. My male is a little shy sometimes but still aggressive. I’m almost positive my success comes from housing only one male with all females, and having the tank divided with the jag on an opposite side for almost 6 months before he broke the divider down and they were just acting so peaceful and happy I left it down. Months later they are still happy. So it will depend on the fish, but a 75 gallon will be just fine for a pair of Cubans. Or a male with a female something else. But I’d divide them first to get used to each other.
So what were the personalities of your Cuban cichlids like? I plan to keep one with a pleco in a 75 gallon tank. Maybe another tankmate if it is advised
And again despite thread name could a RTM live in a 75 gallon tank, also what are their personalities like? Same question about the Texas cichlid
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A male motaguensis could live in a 75 gallon but I would recommend larger. They typically max out around 12" and they are fairly active so a 6' tank would suit them best. And Duanes hit it right on the head as far as cuban agression goes. If you do keep a pleco or any kind of bottom feeder make sure it has plenty of places to escape to. I have a young pair right now between 4-4.5" and they're already super agressive. Amazing and beautiful fish though
Thanks for the post, when you say you recommend larger does that mean he will be miserable in a 75, because I want to avoid that for my fish, also is the aggression super bad for motaguensis or are they like most other cichlids? Thanks!!
I wouldn't personally put an adult male in a 75 gallon. And their agression is in line with other parachromis species. They tend to be a little timid when young but once they mature they become agressive.
