i have 3 reds in a 20 long, they are still tiny so the tank size is no issue. but i really want a black. i know at some point i will need a bigger tank that isnt an issue i have that all lined up. i was talking to the manager at one of the lfs's around and he told me that he can get blacks. do i get a black and get rid of the reds or keep the reds and not get a black?
help me out with a decision
- Thread starter fatsolomon
- Start date
if you get the black, eventually he will get tired of sharing space with reds and kill them.
so you have to choose on or the other. i have reds atm, but they pretty skittish so i dont like it. i plan on buying a rhom though. however, he'll be in a separate tank.
so you have to choose on or the other. i have reds atm, but they pretty skittish so i dont like it. i plan on buying a rhom though. however, he'll be in a separate tank.
First of all how into Ps are you? I ask this because unless you trully appreciate a P for what it is you are going to quickly get bored of a solitary most likely skittish fish such a "black." If you are just getting into them and not really sure that you are all that interested in them then I would advise you to stick with your shoal of reds. A group of fish tend to be more pleasing to watch then a single specimen.
Also you will have to take in to account tank size. Your 3 reds will QUICKLY out grow that 20 and will need at least a 75 gallon for life. Depending on the size of the "black" you get and the species you will not have to upgrade as soon because "blacks" are s-l-o-w growers.
Hope this helps and good luck.
Also you will have to take in to account tank size. Your 3 reds will QUICKLY out grow that 20 and will need at least a 75 gallon for life. Depending on the size of the "black" you get and the species you will not have to upgrade as soon because "blacks" are s-l-o-w growers.
Hope this helps and good luck.
this is where i am having trouble, do i keep a shoal or do i get a single fish. im leaning more and more to the black because i dont want to get rid of some oscars to make room for the shoal of reds. thanks for the help
Stick with the reds, a lone black would be just as skittish . The reds should improve if you give em more space and maybe add a few more the same size.
regards Jon
regards Jon
Like it was already stated before...depends on how much into piranha you are. If you are not totaly into it, a solitary black will get old real quick...and when that happens you should let me know. Solitary serra can go one of two ways: either they are incredibly skittish and will take a very long time if EVER to become less fearful. Or they are awsome right off the bat and chase your finger over the surface of the glass. IMO, the only way pygo's are cool is if you have them in a school over 10 strong.
I've always been more into serra than pygo...but thats my thing.
Any LFS that claims they can get blacks I wouldn't trust until I'd seen it with my own eyes, especially if it is young specimens we're talking about. 9 out of 10 times they always turn up to be spilo's and its very difficult to distinguish the two when they are small.
I'd say with 3 reds you'd want to get them in at least a 55 gal tank in a quick hurry. Or buy a few more and purchase a larger tank. Keep in mind that after 55 gal's...depending on where you are looking the price for the hobbey gets serious. If you were able to score a Rhombeus from this lfs and he's like 2'' give or take...he could make it in a 20L for a while. As an adult, he will need to be housed in nothing less than 100 gallons. But man, an adult Rhom is bad ass!
If you do buy the serra and it turns out to be a spilo (happens alot) and it turns out to be a cool fish you want to keep, pretty sure that they can live in a 55 for life.
I've always been more into serra than pygo...but thats my thing.
Any LFS that claims they can get blacks I wouldn't trust until I'd seen it with my own eyes, especially if it is young specimens we're talking about. 9 out of 10 times they always turn up to be spilo's and its very difficult to distinguish the two when they are small.
I'd say with 3 reds you'd want to get them in at least a 55 gal tank in a quick hurry. Or buy a few more and purchase a larger tank. Keep in mind that after 55 gal's...depending on where you are looking the price for the hobbey gets serious. If you were able to score a Rhombeus from this lfs and he's like 2'' give or take...he could make it in a 20L for a while. As an adult, he will need to be housed in nothing less than 100 gallons. But man, an adult Rhom is bad ass!
If you do buy the serra and it turns out to be a spilo (happens alot) and it turns out to be a cool fish you want to keep, pretty sure that they can live in a 55 for life.
my reds are about an inch each and the black doesnt ship till next week so i have time to decide. thanks for all the imput guys. im not too sure that i want to keep the reds because i dont want to be getting rid of my beloved oscars. i think i may get rid of some africans and keep them both.
I totaly agree,reds tend to be more interesting,but are very,very skittish.While Black Rhoms are majestic but they are boring!!JD7.62 said:
