Few aro questions?

[packer43064]

1. I just got a 125 today, still needs to be cycled and everything. I want to get a Silver(first aro ever) and want to know how long could I keep him in a 125. It's 6 feet long and just under 20 in. width. I will upgrade and I know the silver will outgrow it but how long do I have. 12, 18 months? Less? I will be getting him as a small juvie(still has a egg sac), so like 2 inches.

2. Also should I even bother with a substrate, are they messy?


3. I want to feed him pellets, when smaller so he's used to it. But what kind of pellets.Just Hikari cichlid pellets, hikari carnivore, what? I know when he's bigger he will be getting shrimp and what not but what kind of pellets.

4. When he's bigger can he live with bichirs. I would like to have a few senegal bichirs for bottom dwellers. Just a few like 2-3, but are tankmates with aro's even good to have?

5. Would they like a background.I was thinking of painting all three sides black(krylon fusion), would they like that.

Just trying to plan this out before I get him.

 

[aeri]

1. a good 1.5 years earliest, probably even longer.

2. no substrate easier to keep clean imo.

3. hikari arowana floating pellets, azoo arowana pellets...pellets can last a long time. when i had my silver at 23" he was still eating pellets. but 2 spoonfuls of them.

4. not sure. but my silver was pretty docile. didn't bother anyone, and remained the alpha of the tank since it was so big. i had other aggressive fish in the tank that stayed peaceful when he was around. after the silver left they all slowly started to beat each other up.

5. id imagine it would make them feel less scared. silvers can get scared easily compared to other aros (imo again) and jump/smash into things

 

[packer43064]

6. Can they open a top(just a plain old glass top with hinges) if there is a brick on the part that opens. I hear they are big jumpers, they couldn't possibly open the top with a 6-10 lb. brick on it could they?

 

[Miguel]

1. a good 1.5 years earliest, probably even longer.

2. no substrate easier to keep clean imo.

3. hikari arowana floating pellets, azoo arowana pellets...pellets can last a long time. when i had my silver at 23" he was still eating pellets. but 2 spoonfuls of them.

4. not sure. but my silver was pretty docile. didn't bother anyone, and remained the alpha of the tank since it was so big. i had other aggressive fish in the tank that stayed peaceful when he was around. after the silver left they all slowly started to beat each other up.

5. id imagine it would make them feel less scared. silvers can get scared easily compared to other aros (imo again) and jump/smash into things

All has been said. Agreed.

 

[packer43064]

Bump for anyone else and the last question.

 

[sodenoshirayuki]

6. Can they open a top(just a plain old glass top with hinges) if there is a brick on the part that opens. I hear they are big jumpers, they couldn't possibly open the top with a 6-10 lb. brick on it could they?

definitely. My asians are a bit over 2 feet but they someone how through 4 bricks, 2 bricks stacked on each side of the lid. I had decided to drill a hole in the lid and tank trim and added a lock to the front and back.

 

[sodenoshirayuki]

1. An aro with an egg sac really shouldn't be your first, but if you must, a 125 will probably last a good year. Better start saving though.

2. I prefer barebottom, alot easier to clean and alot cleaner.


3. Hikari aro foodsticks are good, IMO once they eat foodsticks, they'll eat anything. Id also feed prawns too to have a little bit of variety and becuase it seems to bring out better colours.

4. I think tankmates are fine as long as they're not too small to be eaten.

5. Never tried, but it might be a good idea as they get startled way too easily.

 

[packer43064]

Thanks everyone, thanks alot. Can't beleive they can open a top with bricks stacked. That's crazy, but thanks I will put a lock on or something. Great info everyone.