Grammodes vs Istlanum

[Cichlidfever]

Is there any difference in the green vs the red besides color pertaining to the Istlanum? Are they collected in the same area?

Is the Grammodes considered more aggressive then the Istlanum?

Is the Grammodes considered more personable then the Islanum?

Would they being able to coexist together in the same tank if so what size tank would you recommend?

 

[AcsFoolMike]

The grammodes is definitely more aggressive than the istlanum, and I hear that once they reach the 7"-8" they become quite personable as well. However, before that point they stay in hiding much of the time and are pretty skiddish. I'm not familiar with the collection points of the different istlanum strains, but I don't think I'd risk trying to house the two fish together, although it really depends on the personalities of the two specific fish.

 

[VRWC]

Ive had both up to 9-10" or so as singles and spawning pairs...

green/red come from 2 different collection points

same aggression level average. Ive kept pairs of each at different times in a 265g community tank with no problems as long as they were the top fish in the tank. I only experienced the "glass banging" when kept in too small of a tank and they were going insane with nowhere to go but 4 ft back and forth. They are high strung, for lack of a better term, and need space. Males killed females when moved down to a smaller tank as well.

The grammodes, even at 7" was a hider in a large tank. When moved to a 75, he just became pissed and was out because he was, again, in too small of a tank and killed his mate. Istlanums never hid, even at 1". Grammodes almost always did.

Istlanum is more social, but personable isnt what Id use to describe either. Theyre reactionary maybe...hostile, grumpy...remind me of watching a shark at a large aquarium the way they cruise a tank and everyone moves out of their way.

They look WAY too much alike, bodywise, to house together IMO.

 

[fishman09]

Ive had both up to 9-10" or so as singles and spawning pairs...

green/red come from 2 different collection points

same aggression level average. Ive kept pairs of each at different times in a 265g community tank with no problems as long as they were the top fish in the tank. I only experienced the "glass banging" when kept in too small of a tank and they were going insane with nowhere to go but 4 ft back and forth. They are high strung, for lack of a better term, and need space. Males killed females when moved down to a smaller tank as well.

The grammodes, even at 7" was a hider in a large tank. When moved to a 75, he just became pissed and was out because he was, again, in too small of a tank and killed his mate. Istlanums never hid, even at 1". Grammodes almost always did.

Istlanum is more social, but personable isnt what Id use to describe either. Theyre reactionary maybe...hostile, grumpy...remind me of watching a shark at a large aquarium the way they cruise a tank and everyone moves out of their way.

They look WAY too much alike, bodywise, to house together IMO.

great info, had a 6 inch male grammodes that was always hiding and a very tenative eater although very predatory when I gave feeders once, thinking about getting istlanum they seem more personable from what ive read and have nicer colors imo

 

[smitty03281964]

Peter said the exact same thing I would have said about the Grammode.

 

[Freshwaterpredators]

Ive had both up to 9-10" or so as singles and spawning pairs...

green/red come from 2 different collection points

same aggression level average. Ive kept pairs of each at different times in a 265g community tank with no problems as long as they were the top fish in the tank. I only experienced the "glass banging" when kept in too small of a tank and they were going insane with nowhere to go but 4 ft back and forth. They are high strung, for lack of a better term, and need space. Males killed females when moved down to a smaller tank as well.

The grammodes, even at 7" was a hider in a large tank. When moved to a 75, he just became pissed and was out because he was, again, in too small of a tank and killed his mate. Istlanums never hid, even at 1". Grammodes almost always did.

Istlanum is more social, but personable isnt what Id use to describe either. Theyre reactionary maybe...hostile, grumpy...remind me of watching a shark at a large aquarium the way they cruise a tank and everyone moves out of their way.

They look WAY too much alike, bodywise, to house together IMO.

I agree completely I've had both istlanums and grammodes. And IME the istlanums are more aggressive. I've also kept both in the same tank as growouts and the istlanums out grew and beat up the grammode, so I would advise against keeping them in the same tank. I personally like istlanums better