green terror/red terror

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JF Sirois

Plecostomus
MFK Member
Nov 13, 2015
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hey guys im pretty new to cichlids, i was wondering are red terror end green terror similar in size, aggressivity, and requirements?
also is it possible to raise a green terror a red terror and a jack dempsey if i get them when they are young in a 250 gallon with lots of hiding space? they would all be males
 
Red Terror's (14-16 inches) get considerably larger than Green terrors (7-8 inches). Males are also noted to be more aggressive than females. Would the three of them work in a 250g? I think so. Adding some dithers to that mix would be a very smart idea. Your jack and green terror could eventually be killed by the red terror though since it will double their size. As far as care, Red Terror's are 'monsters' while green terrors are more manageable in my opinion.

I have a very angry female GT in a 125, I had to add more cichlids because she loves to assert her dominance on the other fish in there (Growing some Bala Sharks for someone). I added a Jack, Severum, and Firemouth to disperse her aggression.
 
Red Terror's (14-16 inches) get considerably larger than Green terrors (7-8 inches). Males are also noted to be more aggressive than females. Would the three of them work in a 250g? I think so. Adding some dithers to that mix would be a very smart idea. Your jack and green terror could eventually be killed by the red terror though since it will double their size. As far as care, Red Terror's are 'monsters' while green terrors are more manageable in my opinion.

I have a very angry female GT in a 125, I had to add more cichlids because she loves to assert her dominance on the other fish in there (Growing some Bala Sharks for someone). I added a Jack, Severum, and Firemouth to disperse her aggression.
So you dont recommend me to have the three in the tank ? even if i add other cichlids, would it disperse the aggression of the red terror and would it be better for the JD and GT
 
and do you think that the red terror would grow about the same speed as the others for like a year or so ?
 
You can never predict the outcome for sure.It would be a pretty safe bet though,that the red terror would end up violently dominating the tank.
 
and do you think that the red terror would grow about the same speed as the others for like a year or so ?

This is the game we all play by keeping cichlids. I read somewhere 'musical tanks' because you're constantly taking out the ones who are taking an extra beating or the aggressors getting a time out and decorations rearranged. Like Stanz said, you can never predict the outcome with cichlids. If you read about keeping african cichlids, they purposely overstock their tank such that there's no room for any single fish to set up territories. This works with CA / SA cichlids also however, these fish get much larger than most Africans so tank space becomes an issue.

I just ran those three fish into aqadvisor to get a ballpark, they didn't have a 250 only a 240g but either way you're sitting at 37% stock. You could comfortably add more fish, but having two big monsters would probably produce duels. Here is an example of what you can do. Now remember aqadvisor is a framework and gives you the 'ball park' idea of whats in your tank but should NOT be considered unbreakable law.

1 Red Terror
1 Green Terror
1 Jack Demp
1 Severum
1 Texas
1 Jurupari Eartheater

That leaves you at Your aquarium stocking level is 64%

So just a little over half filled. Which would leave some empty space and empty space == territory to claim and at the end of the day the Red Terror would definitely dominate those areas.

The end state is you'd be playing with fire. Do some research, if you like new world cichlids it might be worth dropping the Red Terror and doing a very healthy mix of fish in a 250g. Or keeping a red terror as a solo in a smaller tank like a 180. Look up some videos and read, read, read.


**Just a warning here I've only been in the hobby for a little over a year now but I read tons and have my own tank to go off of.

**Also, I'll mention it again, there are no guarantees with cichlids. I had a angelfish go berserk and kill all of his tankmates one night. I'm talking murder. Gourami's ripped in half. Decaptitated swordtails. He was the ONLY angel in the tank. You never know man, you never know.
 
This is the game we all play by keeping cichlids. I read somewhere 'musical tanks' because you're constantly taking out the ones who are taking an extra beating or the aggressors getting a time out and decorations rearranged. Like Stanz said, you can never predict the outcome with cichlids. If you read about keeping african cichlids, they purposely overstock their tank such that there's no room for any single fish to set up territories. This works with CA / SA cichlids also however, these fish get much larger than most Africans so tank space becomes an issue.

I just ran those three fish into aqadvisor to get a ballpark, they didn't have a 250 only a 240g but either way you're sitting at 37% stock. You could comfortably add more fish, but having two big monsters would probably produce duels. Here is an example of what you can do. Now remember aqadvisor is a framework and gives you the 'ball park' idea of whats in your tank but should NOT be considered unbreakable law.

1 Red Terror
1 Green Terror
1 Jack Demp
1 Severum
1 Texas
1 Jurupari Eartheater

That leaves you at Your aquarium stocking level is 64%

So just a little over half filled. Which would leave some empty space and empty space == territory to claim and at the end of the day the Red Terror would definitely dominate those areas.

The end state is you'd be playing with fire. Do some research, if you like new world cichlids it might be worth dropping the Red Terror and doing a very healthy mix of fish in a 250g. Or keeping a red terror as a solo in a smaller tank like a 180. Look up some videos and read, read, read.


**Just a warning here I've only been in the hobby for a little over a year now but I read tons and have my own tank to go off of.

**Also, I'll mention it again, there are no guarantees with cichlids. I had a angelfish go berserk and kill all of his tankmates one night. I'm talking murder. Gourami's ripped in half. Decaptitated swordtails. He was the ONLY angel in the tank. You never know man, you never know.
thanks really !! amazing response!! awesome man!! i wouldnt leave the red terror in that tank forever, i think it is worth for me trying.. i would really want to take the risk, ill keep you guys updated!!
 
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I had to divide my grow out tank because my itty bitty jaguar was terrorizing the hell out of the salvini. Just be prepared ^.^
 
Festae are mean, they can be relentless. Like any other highly aggressive cichlid, now they won't necessarily kill and fight just for the heck of it like say a dovii would. A festae would be relatively ok until it feels threatened. It will end the fight, sometimes start it but usually just end it. I say you should get a pair in their.
 
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