How to keep Viejas together

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notho2000 said:
I keep a 180G heavily stocked and they manage to get along with limited issues. The odd time, a fish will take a beating (a few scales missing, split fins) but for the most part will recover on its own in the tank. I have in the 180G:
6 P. bifasciatus
6 P. sp. 'Coatzacoalcos'
6 V. synspilum
1 H. bocourti
2 P. hartwegi
2 P. fenestratus sp. 'Catemaco'
3 C. godmanni
These fish are pretty much full grown ranging from 8" to 14". There are regular spawnings but needless to say, the young don't survive very long if left in there. The "downside" is that the fish are not behaving as they would be in nature, the "upside" is that you can maintain them in quite a successful way without them killing one another. You will need very good filtration with lots of water changes (50% twice a week is my regimen). Another trick is to have a strong current (powerheads) which tends to distract them from one another and hence quell aggression. Also keep the temperature in the low to mid 70's to further reduce aggression. Here's a few pics of this tank:

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awesome.. but can i have less fish than that? I Can I just have 5-10?
 
the animal guy said:
awesome.. but can i have less fish than that? I Can I just have 5-10?
Click to expand...

I don't think that there would be a problem with 5 - 10 at all. I'd rather have those numbers myself. If you're not concerned about wanting M/F pairs, going for males only will keep things settled down more. The spawning motive is what causes all h**l to break loose. Also make sure your tank has lots of refuges and "sight-line breakers" such as tall pieces of driftwood and lots of plastic plants. This will discourage continuing pursuit. I find that Vieja and Paratheraps are generally less aggressive than other "roughhouse" genera such as Nandopsis, Caquetaia and Parachromis. Good luck with your project.
-Jim
 
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