Jag owners

[Mij]

I have a 120g with a 2.5" jag, firemouth 3", GT 2", Nicaraguensis 3", acara 3", salvini 3", chocolate 3". My question is: Am I going to end up with just a jag or will he play nice with his tankmates? Right now at this stage the salvini is the most territorial. They are all getting they're fill at feeding time and noone beats up on each other, just the usual postering that growing cichlids do. I know there most likey will be some casualties along the way, there usually is with cichlids. It's my first jag was just soliciting info from all you jag owners out there.

The rate of growth in my tanks is usually slower due to having a water conditioner system on my well water supply so I believe he will be ok in the 120 for a while, hopefully. I have tentative plans for a 500 -600 gallon tank in the future.

 

[---XR---]

all depends on the individual fish, aggresion is not the same in all fish and cannot be judged clearly just by knowing the species of fish. So basically, you could have a jaguar that is an aggresive one, or a jaguar that will be very passive. this is a species of fish that are on both spectrums. wait and see as it get's older and bigger as it's "personality" may change dramatically, almost always for the worse, but it also may stay the same. post a pic when it get older 4-5" and we'll judge it's sex for you. in general males have been known to be more territorial, but both can get like that.

 

[Mij]

Thanks XR. I've got a feeling he's a male, but can't be sure yet. He definately acts territorial enough. He has his place under an overhanging log and doesn't tolerate anyone near it. I think they are beautiful fish and if I end up with just the jag I'll be ok with that. Have you had any luck with any particular species as far as combining them with jags? Oh, I forgot my jack dempsey in there too, he's about 2".

 

[balton777]

IME Jags are more territorial than outright aggressive. As long as you provide him with a big log or something else for cover, he'll probably claim that spot and guard it with his life. What you don't want is for him to claim the whole tank as his territory. The only fish he just absolutely refused to let stay in the same tank was my former Green Terror.

 

[Mij]

Well, right now the green terror is holding his own and usually chases the firemouth and acara around. We'll see how it works when everyone puts on some size. I believe the jag's growth rate is probably more rapid than the other guys, right?

 

[mdspurl]

I have a breeding pair of jags in my tank. They seem to play well with all the others because they were all bought at the same time and have grown up together. I have noticed however, that my male, is definitely becoming more of a bully. He used to back away from my 10 inch Butti but now he is geting more and more brave. Im sure as he continues to grow, he will eventually rule the tank as the new Big Boy in town.

 

[mdspurl]

If I'm right, looking at your stock, eventually the Jag will be the biggest in the tank. You might have problems then, but hopefully the others will bow to his dominance and the fighting wont be too bad.

 

[killerfish]

we'll its hard to say either way jags temperment ranges hugely so really you'll have to wait and see males are useually pretty aggressive

 

[Mij]

balton777...I've noticed that appears to be the case so far. My jag doesn't go after any other fish aggressively, but he definately doesn't like anything near his log. Hopefully as he or she grows that will be the extent of it. I'm hoping this mixture of fish just developes a hiarchy and everyone knows they're place and gets along. My GT is definately the fastest grower so far and also seems to be asserting himself more every day. Since he was the runt I'm glad to see him putting on size well.

 

[Mij]

Supposing I would move the firemouth, salvini, and the jd to a smaller 40 gallon long tank to free up more space in the 120. Could I add a flowerhorn or a trimac to the 120? I've had a trimac before and he was a pushover, but I've never had a flowerhorn. How aggressive are they and would they do ok with what would be left in the 120(Jag,Nicaraguensis,Nicaraguan acara,chocolate)