Cyanoguttatus vs Carpintis

[DRC]

I have only very recently returned to the aquarium hobby after being out of it for close to 20 years. I have kept CA/SA Cichlids before, but back then my info came from a book I had called “Tank Busters”, and just good ol’ trial and error. But now that I can, I would rather learn from others experience. I decided I wanted to do a multi-species North American Native tank. I currently have a yellow perch, brown bullhead catfish, and 3 different types of sunfish (all juveniles). I originally intended to add a Texas Cichlid to the mix, but after a little research I chickened out. Although all the fish in my tank can certainly hold their own, I was afraid the Texas would just get too big and be too aggressive for its tank mates. A fourth sunfish I had ordered didn’t survive shipping, so I still have a vacancy I want to fill. Well, I have discovered the Green “Texas”, or Carpintis, at my LFS. As I have tried to research it, it seems some of the descriptions and care is just cut and pasted from Cyanoguttatus, but others portray a very different fish. So my main questions concerning Carpintis are 1. How large is it likely to get in the aquarium (not the world record size). 2. How does it’s aggresion level compare to Cyanoguttatus more?, less?, the same?. 3. Even though it is found south of Cyanoguttatus, should it be able to thrive in a tank that will be kept at 72-75 degrees. I’m not looking for a completely risk free set up, that’s just not a possibility with Cichlids or Sunfish. But I also don’t want a set up that is absolutely destined for disaster either. Any input would help, thanks.

 

[DRC]

I have only very recently returned to the aquarium hobby after being out of it for close to 20 years. I have kept CA/SA Cichlids before, but back then my info came from a book I had called “Tank Busters”, and just good ol’ trial and error. But now that I can, I would rather learn from others experience. I decided I wanted to do a multi-species North American Native tank. I currently have a yellow perch, brown bullhead catfish, and 3 different types of sunfish (all juveniles). I originally intended to add a Texas Cichlid to the mix, but after a little research I chickened out. Although all the fish in my tank can certainly hold their own, I was afraid the Texas would just get too big and be too aggressive for its tank mates. A fourth sunfish I had ordered didn’t survive shipping, so I still have a vacancy I want to fill. Well, I have discovered the Green “Texas”, or Carpintis, at my LFS. As I have tried to research it, it seems some of the descriptions and care is just cut and pasted from Cyanoguttatus, but others portray a very different fish. So my main questions concerning Carpintis are 1. How large is it likely to get in the aquarium (not the world record size). 2. How does it’s aggresion level compare to Cyanoguttatus more?, less?, the same?. 3. Even though it is found south of Cyanoguttatus, should it be able to thrive in a tank that will be kept at 72-75 degrees. I’m not looking for a completely risk free set up, that’s just not a possibility with Cichlids or Sunfish. But I also don’t want a set up that is absolutely destined for disaster either. Any input would help, thanks.

BTW, even my Sunfish should transition to a “quality” Cichlid pellet. Which ones are good?

 

[dan518]

BTW, even my Sunfish should transition to a “quality” Cichlid pellet. Which ones are good?

New life spectrum (nls) or northfin are the two pellets brands I would recommend. Herichthys spp aren't a fish I know loads about so I will let others advise you on that.

 

[GTS]

Twenty years is a long time, Welcome back. I started keeping cichlids back in the 90s, though I never suffered such a lengthy absence. I consider Carptintis to be smaller growing, though more aggressive than Cyanoguttus, I have seen 12" Cyanoguttam but the largest Carpintis are somewhat smaller, the Cyanoguttam are perhaps the most cold tolerant of all American cichlids, they can survive down into the 50's. There is a feral population in the Tampa Bypass canal, they survived the 2010 winter which devastated the nonnative population of fish, temperatures which caused a massive pleco die off did not seem to affect them. The Carpintis occurs futher south and is more of a tropical fish, even still, I would expect that temperature range to be fine. What type of sunfish are in the tank? If they aren't Bluegill or Green Sunfish, then I would expect the Carpintis to become dominant.

 

[GTS]

BTW, even my Sunfish should transition to a “quality” Cichlid pellet. Which ones are good?

Any of the major brands should do, I feel the distinctions between the brands are overstated. Remember, major cichlids importers/breeders including Don Conkel and Jeff Rapps feed their fish, including the wild caught fish, channel catfish feed and koi feed. Some years ago, Conkel himself told me that he felt all the major brands of fish foods were inadequate, his analysis of wild fish in central and south america revealed that the stomach contents of both riverine and lake cichlids (including predatory cichlids) contained about 15 to 20 percent detritus. He felt that ideal food would contain that much fiber, though no such food existed then.

 

[Toiletcar]

I agree w/ the others.

Also the best way too reduce aggression is tank size. Bigger the greater your chances are.

On temperature 72-75 is good for most north and Central American cichlids. Just in case you are looking for other possibilities.

 

[DRC]

Twenty years is a long time, Welcome back. I started keeping cichlids back in the 90s, though I never suffered such a lengthy absence. I consider Carptintis to be smaller growing, though more aggressive than Cyanoguttus, I have seen 12" Cyanoguttam but the largest Carpintis are somewhat smaller, the Cyanoguttam are perhaps the most cold tolerant of all American cichlids, they can survive down into the 50's. There is a feral population in the Tampa Bypass canal, they survived the 2010 winter which devastated the nonnative population of fish, temperatures which caused a massive pleco die off did not seem to affect them. The Carpintis occurs futher south and is more of a tropical fish, even still, I would expect that temperature range to be fine. What type of sunfish are in the tank? If they aren't Bluegill or Green Sunfish, then I would expect the Carpintis to become dominant.

I have a Longear, Pumpkinseed, and Warmouth Sunfish

 

[duanes]

I've kept carpintus at even cooler room temps, and even outside in tanks spring thru fall in Milwaukee where the tank water temps dipped into the low 60s with no problems.
The one below was only about half grown.

later

 

[RD.]

Remember, major cichlids importers/breeders including Don Conkel and Jeff Rapps feed their fish, including the wild caught fish, channel catfish feed and koi feed.

Which is done to lower operational costs, not because commercial farm feed is superior in nutritional value.


What size tank is this community going to be living in?

 

[DRC]

Which is done to lower operational costs, not because commercial farm feed is superior in nutritional value.


What size tank is this community going to be living in?

They’re little guys right now so I’m putting them in a 55 gal. that I set up and cycled for some axolotyls that my wife planned to get, but didn’t. But I’m planning on getting either a 125 or 180 as a permanent home. I’m leaning towards the 125, due to local availability and price, does that sound big enough?