Grammodes or Istlanum

[MajesticMatt]

Anybody have experience with these? I like both of them but I can't decide which to get, I hear that Istlanums are susceptible to bloat, but have a better personality. Which one is more fun to take care of?

 

[exotic rays]

Istlanums are known to grow much bigger then grammode. My grammode was way more aggressive . Given a choice, I'd go for a Istlanum

 

[Freshwaterpredators]

I wouldn't say that istlanum grow much bigger than grammodes... Grammodes grow so slow that not a lot of people have kept them long enough to reach max potential.. Heck by the time grammodes reach max, the istlanum that it was being compared with most likely died of old age lol j/k... Ok, yes I've seen some istlanum bloat but definitely not something that would deter me from keeping istlanum again. I love istlanum and had a beautiful paur few years ago and loved them. And actually if I recall istlanum and grammodes get same size which is around 12". But I prefer istlanum over grammodes!!! Good luck with you selection.


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[duanes]

If you're wanting to add these to a community (cichlid tank or not) neither is really a good idea. They are both usually very aggressive.
I started with 6 @1" grammode juvies from an ACA auction, and put them in a 75 gal to grow out with some live bearers, that were a bit larger as dithers.
Very intelligent fish, all the grammodes were very wary of shadows or movement outside the tank, they spent most of the time hiding.
After the alpha (largest male) killed all the live bearers, he proceeded to kill off his brothers and sisters, until just he and a female were left.
They then spawned 3 times, and after the 3rd spawn, the male killed his mate.
About 2years old, by that time he was around 7", even at that age, he had not lost his shyness.

 

[ExoticGREEN]

grammodes grow very slow but if your looking for a mini dovii. Best choice. For Islantums there is a green and red. I prefer the green

 

[PYRU]

Istlanum is my vote. I have a stunning little red male good luck finding a green version. They are prone to bloat until like 3", but they're nowhere even close to a beani/black nasty. Clean water and light feedings with a quality pellet your golden. They're hyper aggressive and will stress any weaker siblings to bloat. All of mine came out all the time and were pretty personable.

Grammodes wise I love the look, but they never came out. Growth is so ridiculously slow you will be lucky to get 2" a yr

 

[MajesticMatt]

I like how the green istlanum looks but they seem hard to find


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[pckts]

I've had both, even grew them out together w/a divider. I ended up keeping my Green Istlantum. He is probably 10'' and not putting on much size now, probably 5 years old. Istlantum was the more outgoing fish but I think my Grammode that I had before was the better looking fish. More distinct features and colors. Both are very aggressive and my Istlantum actually got the better of my grammode of the same age, but the Istlantum was larger and grew much faster. Grammodes grow so slow, be prepared for that if you end up going that direction.


I would actually be prepared to sell my Green Istlantum if you live in Orange County or Los Angeles county, Ca. PM me for details