Experience with fenestratus?

  • We are currently upgrading MFK. thanks! -neo
R

rrcoolj

Jack Dempsey
MFK Member
Jun 5, 2008
2,044
27
38
DMV
I was suprised with the lack of information about this fish. Anyway, does someone have experience with this fish they would like to share? I just got a roughly 6-7" female and she is being bullied by my smaller male cuban. I have read that these guys can be nasty. Is this true? I also cannot get a definate max size. I have read everything from 10-18". How big do these guys typically get. This is my very first vieja :).
 
The fish is now classified as a Paratheraps Fenestratus, try looking for that. They typically get 14-16", and can be aggressive but are quite mild compared to the Argentea, Bifa, Black Belt, and Zonatum. The only Vieja left are Argentea, Blackbelt (maculacata), Regani, Heterospila and the Ufermanni. The rest are in Paratheraps.

Check out this website (its worth it to become a member). http://www.cichlidae.com/gallery/genus.php?id=71
 
I would Say 12-14" max but there are also different fenestaratus out there. They are actually no where are mean as the tetracanthus(cuban) you have! The fenestartus i have owned have actually been pretty mild mannered as far as Central Americans go.
 
Thanks guys. The fen was actually just meant to serve as a big target fish so I do not mind it being bullied. I certainly do not plan to keep it long term. But now that I am aware they get so big I know I defiantly cannot keep it long term.
 
Raised one to 9ish inches years ago was the most placid fish in the tank but very owner responsive. Traded it in to a store that would not listen to me about what it was. One week later thay had it labeled simply as "cichlasoma" I was blue in the face but they would not listen. Great fish.
 
She does seem to be very passive and is coloring up nice. Would be cool to keep a pair for a while until they get too big. She also seems to like to stay right out in the open. Cool fish so far.
 
I had 2 fens in my 120g with my 11" Midas. These fish were only 5" and were very aggressive with their tankmates and constantly fought with a much bigger freddy on a regular basis. They ended up killing some other fish in the tank by harassing them to death so I sold them off. Each fish is different but for me these were little terrors!
 
DMD123 said:
I had 2 fens in my 120g with my 11" Midas. These fish were only 5" and were very aggressive with their tankmates and constantly fought with a much bigger freddy on a regular basis. They ended up killing some other fish in the tank by harassing them to death so I sold them off. Each fish is different but for me these were little terrors!
Click to expand...

That is what I originally read. I read that they are pretty nasty fish which is why I thought one would be a good match with my cuban pair. Interestingly enough the female fen is now dominating my cuban pair. Male cuban is no longer top dog apparently. Fen is coloring up nicely though. They are stunning fish.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
MonsterFishKeepers.com
Top Bottom