so first I'd like to say I have properly cycled my tank and all water parameters great. Most recent reading is zero nitrite and ammonia with about 5 nitrates. We started with a JD and an tiger oscar. They adjusted beautifully and are doing great. We then added three silver dollars two weeks later. Which brings us to now I went to a very well known aquarium store and they talked me into a jaguar and a Texas cichlid. I researched before getting any of the other fish, but the guy seemed so knowledgeable on these two I took his word for it. My concern is the jaguar he won't leave anyone alone. Now I've read horror stories of them biting chunks out of silver dollars and worse. Mine hasn't necessarily hurt anyone yet not even nipped any fins. But he is terrorizing them and I feel it's coming. But maybe he is jumessing with them. I just don't know. Someone help me. He told me the jaguar would be able to coexist with my other fish but I'm just not sure
Just want to make sure my fish are going to be happy
- Thread starter Shana
- Start date
Unless you have a 6 foot tank or larger, you will likely need to reconsider your stocking. Jags are on the high side of aggression and you are better off taking it back now before it kills something in your tank.
What size is the tank? 6 feet long? How big are the fish? The jaguar is asserting itself, and it can end in dead fish. I would return the jag and get your money back.
What size tank? It would have to be really large for the jag and Texas to coexist with your other fish. In general, jags and Texas are much more aggressive than oscars and JDs.
To me it sounds like your LFS is trying to make a sale. When I first started w/ cichlids, I had a LFS convince me an oscar could live in my 40g for life. So I bought it and learned the hard way. I had to keep upgrading tank size, then had to deal w/ HITH, and other issues. It ended up costing me a lot more than a $5 fish would suggest.
To me it sounds like your LFS is trying to make a sale. When I first started w/ cichlids, I had a LFS convince me an oscar could live in my 40g for life. So I bought it and learned the hard way. I had to keep upgrading tank size, then had to deal w/ HITH, and other issues. It ended up costing me a lot more than a $5 fish would suggest.
I agree with Jon Clark, unless your tank is at least 6 feet long, its too small for a Jag, and probably the oscar too.
I realize stores have a different opinion of what fits in a tank, as do many members here, but all your fish are very active, territorial (except the silver dollars) get relatively large, and will need lots of space to stave off aggression, and keep water quality acceptable.
I realize stores have a different opinion of what fits in a tank, as do many members here, but all your fish are very active, territorial (except the silver dollars) get relatively large, and will need lots of space to stave off aggression, and keep water quality acceptable.
So my tank actually is six foot long and two foot wide. I did end up taking the jaguar back and I do think that was the best choice. Everyone else seems to get along well. They'll chase each other away every now and then but that's about it. We ended up getting a banded convict instead. He has settled in nicely and I think he will do much better in the tank. All fish are between 2 1/2 and 3 1/2 inches
Hello; Welcome. There are probably many posts and a few threads about advice from a fish shop. A good "lesson learned" topic. Good that you worked it out.
Can you get good advice from a shop? Yes sometimes but without experience it is so hard to judge.
Can you get good advice from this forum/website? Yes you can, but also some clunkers get posted. May I suggest taking the step of doing some research before getting an unfamiliar fish. May I also suggest you give weight to any suggestions from duanes, tlindsey, oddball and Dr. Strangelove (sp?). There are several others but I do not recall them right now.
Good luck with your tank.
All cichlids can be unpredictable especially when they reach sexual maturity.
Your fish are all juveniles but keep a close eye out for any aggressive behavior starting. You may find that they will coexist quite well,cichlids xan be trial and error.
If you don't have one already, I would invest in a tank divider. It can make the difference between life and death if any of your fish decide it's time to be top dog.
Your fish are all juveniles but keep a close eye out for any aggressive behavior starting. You may find that they will coexist quite well,cichlids xan be trial and error.
If you don't have one already, I would invest in a tank divider. It can make the difference between life and death if any of your fish decide it's time to be top dog.