Looking for input on tank size for Veija/Paratheraps/Oscura

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RyanM

RyanM

Plecostomus
MFK Member
Oct 13, 2016
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Canton, OH
Currently my largest tank is 125g (72x18") and I am planning to buy a larger tank in the next 4-5 months.

I am now growing out small groups of Melanura, O. Heterospila and P. Guttalatus that will end up in my large display I am planning. Not sure exactly how many of each (possibly just one) type will be in the display.

My dilemma is that the best spot I have to put the tank is just over 7' and about 32" deep. A standard 180g/210g (72x24 base) is the most cost effective, but I feel like long term I may need to upgrade. On the other hand, I have looked at custom sizes like an 84x24x24 or 84x30x24, but the cost is 2.5x that of the 180g for just a little more space. So the question is, would the 180g be sufficient for an adult Melanura or will I need to bite the bullet and get the bigger tank (or upgrade at some point)?
 
Opinions will differ.
I’ve kept three adults melanura, maucalda and breidhori in a 180.
I kept this together for 2 yrs.
There were other fish in the tank as well, vulture catfish (16”) silver dollars. Male sajica, convict, JD, nic.
The tank was very active and no one fish became a target.
The only reason this isn’t setup this way any more is I got my hands on a breeding pair of Bifas that now occupy the tank.
Also a small pair of jags, male salvini and male archocentrus occupy the tank I may move my JD back into this setup as well
So I traded the others for heaters and food.

But as with all fish opinions and experiences will vary from fish to fish and keeper to keeper.
I like active tanks.
 
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As a rule, I try not to house different species of Vieja in the same tank, they either see each other as competitors, or a pair will hybridize then kill all others in the pair up.
Better one species and some non-cichlid dithers.
I have grown out different species Vieja in 6 ft tanks together temporarily, the melanura and oscura may handle it longer being on the less aggressive side.

But I have found the guttalatta complex to be less accommodating to limited space, and can be quite territorial and lethal, ramming other similar shaped, or same genus type to death.
My V guttalatta and zonata were most intolerant of other similar looking species, fenestrata little less so. Argentea and regani even less tolerant in what many would consider very large tanks.
 
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duanes said:
As a rule, I try not to house different species of Vieja in the same tank, they either see each other as competitors, or a pair will hybridize then kill all others in the pair up.
Better one species and some non-cichlid dithers.
I have grown out different species Vieja in 6 ft tanks together temporarily, the melanura and oscura may handle it longer being on the less aggressive side.

But I have found the guttalatta complex to be less accommodating to limited space, and can be quite territorial and lethal, ramming other similar shaped, or same genus type to death.
My V guttalatta and zonata were most intolerant of other similar looking species, fenestrata little less so. Argentea and regani even less tolerant in what many would consider very large tanks.
Click to expand...

Interesting...I had read that the Guttalatta were on the LESS aggressive side of the Vieja aggression spectrum. My experience with Oscura is that they are super mellow, so maybe I will just go with the Het's and Melanura and put the Gutt's in a 125g by themselves.

Assuming the Melanura/Het combo did work, would a smaller species like Nic's or a Thorichthys be a good compliment?
 
CrazyPhishMan said:
Opinions will differ.
I’ve kept three adults melanura, maucalda and breidhori in a 180.
I kept this together for 2 yrs.
There were other fish in the tank as well, vulture catfish (16”) silver dollars. Male sajica, convict, JD, nic.
The tank was very active and no one fish became a target.
The only reason this isn’t setup this way any more is I got my hands on a breeding pair of Bifas that now occupy the tank.
Also a small pair of jags, male salvini and male archocentrus occupy the tank I may move my JD back into this setup as well
So I traded the others for heaters and food.

But as with all fish opinions and experiences will vary from fish to fish and keeper to keeper.
I like active tanks.
Click to expand...

How big did your Melanura end up?
 
I believe it was a female, I’d say all them were right around 10-11” but I don’t take
My fish out to measure- I put a ruler against the tank and guess when they swim by, coulda been plus or minus 2”
I also put every single cichlid in the tank at the same time.
 
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RyanM said:
Interesting...I had read that the Guttalatta were on the LESS aggressive side of the Vieja aggression spectrum. My experience with Oscura is that they are super mellow, so maybe I will just go with the Het's and Melanura and put the Gutt's in a 125g by themselves.

Assuming the Melanura/Het combo did work, would a smaller species like Nic's or a Thorichthys be a good compliment?
Click to expand...
Hets grow sooooo slow- if you can get them bigger then the others. In no time they will catch up.
 
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I agree with duanes' input. I had a guttalatum for years that was one of my favorite fish, it's the fish in my avatar. It was on the "more aggressive" side of the spectrum for sure. It tolerated some smaller, tough tankmates, in a 6 foot tank. But if I remember correctly, it did murder a few things, until I found a mix that it liked. The guttalatum also grew pretty quicky.
 
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