I got into trouble...VENUSTUS

[Carg R]

I like venustus. I've got a small breeding group (the females are young and have held but quickly spit the eggs) in a 180 gal, 6 foot tank with a few others (polleni small spot unknown sex, three silver dollars 5-6 inchers, a breeding pair of convicts whose babies have made protein snacks for the polleni at night, and a 6 inch pseudo crabro my little piggy).

The male isn't a pussycat but really has not gone aggro on any single tank mate- one of the two female venustus has taken a liking to the silver dollars though...apparently while spawning the silver dollars scales taste good. The venustus hits them broadside then sucks up the dislodged and floating scales...hmmm good.

Oh, yeah the male is 7 inch+, females 4-5 inchers.

 

[piranha45]

venustus get big, fast. I'd suggest at least a 75g for a grown male.

 

[Dogger25]

Venestrus grow around 9 inches and need different water paramaters. If you like the fish get atleast a 90 gallon tank. I currently have a few males alone with some other african haps and peacocks in a 125. The more floorspace the less aggression you will have along with numbers.

 

[carpediem]

Venestrus grow around 9 inches and need different water paramaters. If you like the fish get atleast a 90 gallon tank. I currently have a few males alone with some other african haps and peacocks in a 125. The more floorspace the less aggression you will have along with numbers.

Don't mention water parameters, people get all touchy... Apparently it's not necessary to consider water parameters when introducing new species to an aquarium. Unless of course, you're actually a real hobbyist or something and you get off worrying about those kinds of things

 

[piranha45]

Venustus and other Rift Lake cichlids do not need special water parameters.

 

[paul112]

Jeez, thought this was dead. The keyhole is fine, the Venustus went at him one day and they are back together again now. I added two tiger barbs to the tank, one died probably because of the stress, and the plecos ate him, but the other one is the whipping child of the venustus
Anyhow, I'm not sure about what to do with the venustus. I may be getting another tank for the plecos and the Keyhole as I plan on getting a Chinese softshell turtle (turtles are my real passion) and the Venustus is going to need a huge tank. I don't think it could live in shallow water with a softshell, so I'll see what happens
Paul

 

[Anoetic]

The venustus i have is the largest fish in my tank and seems to be the most laid back/placid. I've even seen a small peacock have a go at him. You can be lucky with any of the so called "agressive" cichlids and get one that is chilled out - having said that a large tank really does help

 

[fishjunky]

I have a 6 foot 100 gallon tank dedicated to N. Venustus these fish can be beasts of they can be very calm... saying that I have seen both sides of them I have 2 males and 5 females at this time the males are 6 inch and 10 inch respectivle and females I have range from 2 inch up to 7 inch. the males are usually calm until they are ready to breed and that is when aggression gets brutal they have a tendancy to kill the females that are non receptive I believe that this aggression could be reduced by giving them a bigger tank and adding more rock cover however at this time I am unable to do so due to the restricted floor space I have available.