I am not a monster fishkeeper anymore

[twhittle]

At least not for awhile. I realized that I was buying fish that I really did not want only because they were rare, not because I thought they were the prettiest or had the best personalities. I really have never raised fish from babies. I have just bought large ones and put them in my tanks. So I traded my brutes in and made a list of the fish I have enjoyed the most. I now have the following under 2 inch fish in my 240. 2 oscars, 1 ebjd, 1 gt, 1 festae, 1 jag, 1 bichir, and 1 pleco. I also have 6 larger tiger barbs for dithers. I am going to enjoy raising these and keeping them over the years. I just missed simple oscars and could not keep them with my rough crew. While there are no guarantees, I have successfully kept oscars with my stocklist in the past. I guess I realized that the "common" cichlids are common for a reason. They are beautiful and have great personalities.

 

[Diogenes]

At least not for awhile. I realized that I was buying fish that I really did not want only because they were rare, not because I thought they were the prettiest or had the best personalities. I really have never raised fish from babies. I have just bought large ones and put them in my tanks. So I traded my brutes in and made a list of the fish I have enjoyed the most. I now have the following under 2 inch fish in my 240. 2 oscars, 1 ebjd, 1 gt, 1 festae, 1 jag, 1 bichir, and 1 pleco. I also have 6 larger tiger barbs for dithers. I am going to enjoy raising these and keeping them over the years. I just missed simple oscars and could not keep them with my rough crew. While there are no guarantees, I have successfully kept oscars with my stocklist in the past. I guess I realized that the "common" cichlids are common for a reason. They are beautiful and have great personalities.

sounds like you made the right decision. I've never kept rare monster cichlids before, but in fish keeping in general, the part of the hobby I enjoy the most is raising a big fish, from a small one (or even an egg), and watching them breed. Best of luck to you.

 

[Anubisscott]

You hit the nail on the head. It's always great to take somethings small and grow it into a real glass banger. I am doing that right now with my F2 Midas whom I have grown since he was an egg. He has now about caught up to his father in size and looks alot better in color, build, and profile. You can guarentee they have the best food and care at an earlier start which causes them to have more potential. Also, you feel more of a bond with your pets if you grow them out. Enjoy and keep us posted.

 

[twhittle]

a couple more

 

[gomezladdams]

You learned a valuble lesson that applies to any part of life.Dont let peer pressure and keeping up with the neighbors ruin your fun.Its your tank,glad you got fish you like!

And ps they look great!

 

[KNH]

Good for you. I like to get my fish small and grow them as well. Some of my favorite fish have been "common" fish.

 

[armac]

I have told everybody here, you included, it is not about BUYING a big fish. It is about RAISING a big fish. Glad to see you caught on. Maybe some of the others will see the light.

 

[twhittle]

I think paying $100 for a large umbee who my wife thought was not as pretty as a Jack Dempsey and having him killed was the final straw. I love the big fish, but their is little investment when you pay big money for someone else's work.

 

[englunkm]

Sounds like a great line up! and your tank is beautiful!... I have never kept EBJD's, but from what I have heard they couldn't really hang with that group... I am sure you are very knowledgeable and probably know way more about the hobby than me, but I just thought I would bring this up! Maybe it will work since you are starting them all so small? I am curious to hear how it goes or what your thoughts are!

 

[twhittle]

So far the ebjd is fine with them. They are small and the tank is 8 ft. I will keep an eye on it and I do have a couple of more tanks in case there are issues.