Help me choose a guapote!

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JoeBoxer

JoeBoxer

Candiru
MFK Member
Nov 9, 2012
228
99
46
Canada
Hi everyone,

New to the forum, first post! Long time fish keeper/enthusiast, haven't been keeping anything for a few years now, looking to get back into it soon. I've kept piranhas, wolffish, african cichlids, some SA/CA cichlids (green terror, salvini, can't remember what else...) and I think I'm ready to try my hand at a guapote. From what I gather they have great personalities, are fairly interactive with the owners, aren't too difficult to keep, and all seem to have brilliant colors. I think the larger ones like dovii, umbee and out for me...what I'm thinking right now is I want to buy one for a 40 g breeder, grow it out in there and eventually put it into a 75 gallon tank. I am not sure I can go much bigger than 75 g at this point....maybe 90. I am not sure if this rules out jags as I know they can get quite big...right now my potential list looks like this:

Motaguense
Friedrichsthalii
Loisellei
Managuense

...I also saw some electric blue JDs at the LFS today and they were stunning. I know it's not a guapote but I would consider them as well.

Any suggestions? I'm looking for a fish that is not shy (hated that about my piranhas...). I have heard mota's are pretty shy....although they are also quite stunning. I also know that some of these fish can be quite hard to get a hold of...but if this is going to be my only tank for awhile I don't mind ordering online/spending an extra few bucks.

Thoughts? Again...I'm new to these guys, so bear with my ignorance.

Thanks,

Joe
 
Welcome to MFK. Far as a good guapote I would suggest a male Fred. They are great fish and will fit well in a 75-90 gallon. You might be able to do a pair with excellent filtration. A jag may be an option but do tend to get large, a full grown male jag would be pushing it in a 75. I have a 13-14" male Jag in a 110 and he is more than happy.

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Welcome to mfk,I think you should go with loiselli or freddie.jag,(unless you get a female) would be cramped

from cel
 
They are all so similar as far as personality goes so which do you like the look of best? That really should be your deciding factor I too would ditch the jag option though.


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Thanks for the quick replies everyone. So some of the talk of motas being shyer than the others is unfounded? I definitely like the look of the motas the best...they are unbelievable.

Would you say that loiselli, freddys and motas min tank size is 75 gal? What about the EBJDs? Would one live comfortably in a 55 g?

I plan on getting a few dithers and maybe a med sized pleco/catfish. I am hoping whatever cichlid I choose would leave the bottom dwellers alone and chase the dithers around more.
 
The 3 parachromis you listed should do fine in a 75. EBJD could work in a 55. The only thing I dont like about the EBJD is most adults ive seen are messed up looking. There are a few members on here with some beautiful adults, but ive seen more bad than good. Like trace said all the parachromis act about the same I just like freds cause IMO they have a little more attitude. Whatever you choose you cant go wrong with any one of your 3 choices. There are also alot of reliable vendors here on MFK to help you get a good quality fish.

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Welcome to mfk! If you do a 75 gallon or 90 i would do red tiger mota!
My male and Female
The male has some insane color jjust can't see it with the camera.

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