Introduced a Vieja Argentea in my Blood Parrot community tank

[ghekox233]

Hi all,

Greetings from the Netherlands, Europe. I'm a proud fish tank owner of a 450L (118 gallon) SA / CA cichlids Blood Parrot community tank. And two smaller 30 gallon tanks.

I had a friend who had a adult Vieja Argentea who was really beaten up by geophagus pair. The male geophagus was huge and really hit him hard (notice the scale marks and fin bites).

My friend wanted to keep the male geophagus and gave the Vieja almost for free to me. Hoping I can take care of him so he can live on. Let's hope.

20201222_190310

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Tank includes:

Bosses
1x Full grown Adult Female Green Terror
1x Full grown Adult Blood Parrot (Not sure male/female) but bigger than the green terror and evenly matched.

Others
5x Juvenile/Adult Blood parrots
6x Female Juvenile Convict Cichlids
2x Female Juvenile Geophagus Red head Tapajos
1x Jewel Cichlid

Aggression is spread between the blood parrots / green terror. Even my smallest BP holds her ground against the green terror.

Ground cleaners / algae eaters:
1x Siamese algae eater
2x Bristlenose pleco's
5x Corydoras Aeneus
3x Dwarf Petricola Synodontis Catfish

And now added the male Vieja Argentea. I hope the bosses will accept/respect him and he will recover.
And I hope he can live on peacefully in my community tank. What do you guys think ?

20201222_190310

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[Deadeye]

Beautiful tank! Vieja argentea have a bit of a bad reputation, but all of your fish are tough species. It should work out, but keep an eye on him with the gt.

 

[newworld]

Your tapajos are steindachneri..

 

[ghekox233]

Your tapajos are steindachneri..

I was in doubt idd. Thanks for the ID

 

[Gourami Swami]

Argentea can be quite aggressive, and for an adult male, a tank of your size would be good for a solo fish in my opinion. I think you already would have a fully stocked tank without the argentea, quite a lot of fish in there already. As males can grow larger than 12" long and bulky, I think once the fish all do some growing you will be quite over-stocked now. Likey will have problems with aggression between the cichlids. If the argentea is a female you will have an easier time with it, but still would be more heavily stocked than I would usually recommend. Personally, would look for another tank 125g+ to split your fish up. Or consider re-homing the vieja again after it does some healing up.

 

[ghekox233]

Argentea can be quite aggressive, and for an adult male, a tank of your size would be good for a solo fish in my opinion. I think you already would have a fully stocked tank without the argentea, quite a lot of fish in there already. As males can grow larger than 12" long and bulky, I think once the fish all do some growing you will be quite over-stocked now. Likey will have problems with aggression between the cichlids. If the argentea is a female you will have an easier time with it, but still would be more heavily stocked than I would usually recommend. Personally, would look for another tank 125g+ to split your fish up. Or consider re-homing the vieja again after it does some healing up.

You are right, it is heavily stocked at the moment. But luckily, most of the cichlids are still juveniles but they will grow big. My plan is to get another 125 gallon before next summer and start moving cichlids incl. the Argentea. I first need to create more space in my appartment.

I'm overfiltrating at the moment. 2 external cannisters pumping 1250L (330 gallon) / H each. I'm keeping a eye out on nitrate levels every 3 days and sometimes add temporary extra denitrate materials since I don't have plants.

So far hes doing good. BP's and green terror are respecting him and his space. He is acting docile at the moment but still needs to acclimate and start eating.

 

[duanes]

In my experience, and I have kept about a dozen argentea over the years, a 125 is only large enough for a single adult, or a very compatible pair.