growing out a maskoheros argentea pair

[Charney]

So it looks like I am getting back into cichlids and have some questions. Just got a gorgeous pair of maskoheros argentea from Rappys. They are about 3 inches and he is farily confident a m/f pair. What is the best way to grow them out so both make it, my other fish make it and they have the best chance to bond? The options
1) in a 55 gallon with two similar sized: 2 severums, 2 chocolate cichlids and albino oscar plus 12 tiger barbs as dithers
2)50 gallon breeder just them and 12 tiger barbs
3) 20 L with clear divider
upgrading theses fish to larger tanks as needed will not be of issue

thank you

 

[Tyler_Wentworth_150]

50 breeder with barbs has my vote

 

[ragin_cajun]

I have 2 in a 540 Gallon, I've had them for 3 years, and they aren't breeding. I have no idea what sex they are. These fish take a LONG time to grow, and a LONG time to become mature enough to breed. I have 7 more from Rapps on the way tomorrow--same batch as yours. So we can compare notes for the next 2-3 years.

I think the best way to grow these fish out is to put them in the biggest tank you have right now, plan to leave them in there for years, and stock the tank sparingly around them. In a small tank, they get violent--over the top violent with no warning.

They are very hardy fish--they can fight but rarely do, they never get sick, don't dig holes, they might even leave plants alone. Other fish seem to know how they are and leave them alone.

Knock on wood....

 

[duanes]

I found a 150 gal is too small for a pair of argentea, unless they are totally copacetic.
I started with 11juvies in a 150, at about 6" the alpha male hit his stride and began to kill all other fish, except a female.
When she gave him the cold shoulder one too many times he offed her too.
In anything smaller than a 200 or 300 gal, I'd divide the tank putting the female downstream of flow.
If the female was obviously smaller, a hole in the divider that she fit thru might work.
I tried this technique with a mated pair, but didn't make the divider tall enough, after the eggs were put down, the male jumped the divider, killed the female and ate the eggs.
Hope you're luckier than me.

 

[Charney]

I have 2 in a 540 Gallon, I've had them for 3 years, and they aren't breeding. I have no idea what sex they are. These fish take a LONG time to grow, and a LONG time to become mature enough to breed. I have 7 more from Rapps on the way tomorrow--same batch as yours. So we can compare notes for the next 2-3 years.

I think the best way to grow these fish out is to put them in the biggest tank you have right now, plan to leave them in there for years, and stock the tank sparingly around them. In a small tank, they get violent--over the top violent with no warning.

They are very hardy fish--they can fight but rarely do, they never get sick, don't dig holes, they might even leave plants alone. Other fish seem to know how they are and leave them alone.

Knock on wood....

think you will be very happy with them. My two look great. I never asked Jeff. Do you know where they are captive bred from?

 

[ehh]

I found a 150 gal is too small for a pair of argentea, unless they are totally copacetic.
I started with 11juvies in a 150, at about 6" the alpha male hit his stride and began to kill all other fish, except a female.
When she gave him the cold shoulder one too many times he offed her too.
In anything smaller than a 200 or 300 gal, I'd divide the tank putting the female downstream of flow.
If the female was obviously smaller, a hole in the divider that she fit thru might work.
I tried this technique with a mated pair, but didn't make the divider tall enough, after the eggs were put down, the male jumped the divider, killed the female and ate the eggs.
Hope you're luckier than me.

Awesome picture.

 

[ragin_cajun]

Charney --

So I've had these fish a week now....they are very interactive, and very energetic. And very hungry all the time. The 2 older ones I have are not like this at all. They are solitary and indifferent, until they are not. And they very slowly move around the tank.

These new ones are like Amph's. Up and down, up and down, across the tank, walk by the tank, they run to the lid and wait for pellets. Just totally different demeanor.