Lone monster

[folkilsk]

my first post... hi all

I'm thinking of starting up a new tank with a so called "pet fish". Don't know which species yet... flower horn is the strongest candidate, but a jag or a midas is also probable. anyway... i'm looking for tips and pointers regarding tank size and decorations.

At the moment I have:

100gal with emerald cichlids and cats
60gal with common tilapia (oreochromis mossambicus)
40gal with small jags and mollys (inhouse feeders)


so... how would you house a lone monster?

 

[Caveman]

What size of a tank do you have planned for the lone monster? I would set up the tank with sand substrade and a clay put for its home. I like it nice and simple.

 

[folkilsk]

What size of a tank do you have planned for the lone monster? I would set up the tank with sand substrade and a clay put for its home. I like it nice and simple.

that's one of my questions... it seems that common practise differs a bit between sweden and usa. here in sweden it's very uncommon to keep any larger cichlids in tanks smaller than approx. 120gal. 540 litres (150cm x 50cm x 50cm) seems to be the smallest recommended tank size for a lone trimac or midas. most serious keepers use 2m+ tanks (about 7 feet) for fish growing larger than 10". from what i've heard and read of "monster fish keeping" in the states it seems that smaller tanks is more common. i might be wrong, but it's confusing none the less.

 

[Caveman]

that's one of my questions... it seems that common practise differs a bit between sweden and usa. here in sweden it's very uncommon to keep any larger cichlids in tanks smaller than approx. 120gal. 540 litres (150cm x 50cm x 50cm) seems to be the smallest recommended tank size for a lone trimac or midas. most serious keepers use 2m+ tanks (about 7 feet) for fish growing larger than 10". from what i've heard and read of "monster fish keeping" in the states it seems that smaller tanks is more common. i might be wrong, but it's confusing none the less.

In my opininon most Cichlids minus the Dovii, Umbee, P Bass and Emperor can be housed in in tanks under 150 gallons. If I had a Single Trimac or Midas I would have no problem keeping him in a 80 gallon for life as long as there is 18" of width.

 

[folkilsk]

so nothing smaller than 80gal?

other opinions?

 

[REC]

FH would be a good choice but like caveman said the minimum i would use would be a 75gallon which is 48x18x20...For a solo Jag,Trimac,FH etc. I have a 13"FH in a custom 80 gallon that i had made 40"-21"-21" and it works perfect.

 

[downset21]

I was gonna go on a slightly smaller scale and get a 75 gal. bowfront for a green terror or red devil. if you have a 120 that you are just gonna have one fish in, go with the jag... those are mean bastards with personalities... my friend had one that jumped out of the water to bite his thumb. so be careful.

 

[Schnauzer]

I have a 14 1/2" Jag that is just about 10 years old that has been in a 90 with a pleco that is now 16' his whole life . I do about 70% water changes every week .

 

[rallysman]

Check my gallery for pix of my monsters.....but my 12+"male jag is a puss lol.......I have a flowerhorn mixed in with him (about 10")..I dont know what fish would have to be soliatery in a 75gal or so tank......i think a lot of it is personal preference. Lets see some pix when you get what you want though

 

[e!o!z!]

I would get the flowerhorn for a 75 + gallon tank, or a jag ,no a piebald midas, no I changed my mind a flowerhorn or a wolf cichlid ( need larger tank), no a black nasty. Ok I can't make up my mind (that has always been a problem)