experiment went well

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BastardFish

Polypterus
MFK Member
Aug 14, 2005
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West Coast
So with my large male Umbee only having one large pleco in his pond was starting to bore me. I wanted just a bit moe action. The problem was that I have always heard even from people I know that have kept Umbee. Is that you can not keep any other fish with them one the fish are large especially if it is a male. Well I know why the pleco was and is fine he is armored. However I wanted something I could watch swim around. I that a theory, and just did not believe this tail that you could keep nothing with them. I have always found there are exceptions to the rules with tank mates so long as they are picked right. Started thinking of the typical tank set ups, and I can see why in an aquarium this is a problem. Whatever you tank mate is even in a big tank. While a tank could be long. It can only be so wide ( not talking about giant tanks) just anything up to 240 or so. This could still be problems because at some point the tank mate is forced to cross back through the Umbee's path. That's where you get into trouble.:WHOA::D
Well in my pond the game is a bit different. It is nice and deep around 3'' and quite wide too. Looking at what I was working with I was sure I could make what pop' ed in my head next work. All I needed was a fish that was faster and could out maneuver the Umbee should he decide to chase it. I started to think :screwy:what type of fish was fast, maneuverable, could grow to a decent size, and cheap just in case the experiment went bad? The name Tinfoil Barb came to my mind and I knew I had it! :naughty:
Picked up x3 of them and my plan has worked with perfect success:headbang2
Not only does the Umbee have no chance in catching them if he wanted to. Do to the size and them not having to cross direct paths with him, but he does not even have the desire to mess with them:)
Now I am happy with the pond I have my beloved monster, a cleaner, and a couple fast free swimmers to make sure I am no longer bored with the set up.
Happy Umbee community pond lol:popcorn::headbang2
 
Tinfoils are great. I have four in with my pikes. I have six, but two jumped to their demise(one to the floor, the other ended up on top of my glass tops(the tank has a canopy too). Most of the time they are ignored, but not always. If you pond doesn't have some sort of top(plastic, glass, or netting), get one. You umbee will chase them sometimes and they are excellent jumpers.
 
How big is the umbee? and on behalf of all MFKers - We want to see pics of him, there is a terrible lack of big umbee pics on the web! Show off that monster!
 
;)Not to worried about the jumping thing I keep the pond covered when I am not out there to keep the heat in better. Even at night when I have the light on I have it covered unless I am out there. Plus they are cheap even if they do lol
One did kick the bucket yesterday though. Although I do not think the Umbee was the culprit. I believe the large barb did it because the missing scales and ripped fins had small rips not big marks and I saw that the larger barb would not lay off this one. Still the Umbee shows no sign of interest towards the others. Perhaps on barb is female and the larger one male who killed off the other male who knows? lol
 
Barbs will chase each other but they're schoolers so they won't kill each other especially in a large environment. They definitely don't have the dentition to descale fish... I'm trying to think who did that... Probably the PLECO!!!!
J/k I think your umbee might like being by his lonesome.
Convicts are great to try as well, Just throw some clay pipes in there.
 
Do you have any pictures of your umbee? Also, you might try a larger school.
 
Split fins and missing scales are signs of a cichlid kill. Next time try some large pacu. Around here, you can often pick up a 12" for $5-15 depending on the place.
 
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