I am in the process of setting up a 90 gallon aquarium. (Will likely upgeade to 180 or larger next year) Would Lyonsi and Heterospila be good tankmates? The combo of the Amphilopus personality without the crazy aggression, and the beauty of the Monty seem like a good combo. Please let me know if I am wrong.
Lyonsi With Heterospila
- Thread starter DJF1127
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Both grow relatively slowly but I think you would be overstocked with 2 adults whether that’s one of each or whatever combo-
I know the 180 is coming but are you prepared to selerate and rehome if need be?
Y not do a solo amp as a wet pet? Easily maintained in a 90
Or
Choose a midsized species and smaller species-
Try to keep only two males so no eggs and no aggression
I know the 180 is coming but are you prepared to selerate and rehome if need be?
Y not do a solo amp as a wet pet? Easily maintained in a 90
Or
Choose a midsized species and smaller species-
Try to keep only two males so no eggs and no aggression
I usually find that cichlids which look different from each other, be it coloration, mouth or body shape, have a better chance of cohabiting, than those that look similar. If cichlids look similar, they often see each other as competitors, for food, breeding sites, mates, etc.
Lyonsi and Vieja are different enough from each other (especially as adults), that they may actually make a go of it.
I kept lyonsi and Vieja melanurum together with little problem in a similar size tank.
the difference in mouth shapes suggests relatively different diet choices in nature.
I had similar luck keeping bocourti together with Chuco intermedia, although color was similar, body and mouth shape suggested a different diet preference, as adults.
The obvious similarities in species of the same genus usually leads to conflict, or hybridizing, and is much of the reason I don't keep species of the same genus, like two species of Vieja, or two species of Parachromis, in the same tank
Lyonsi and Vieja are different enough from each other (especially as adults), that they may actually make a go of it.
I kept lyonsi and Vieja melanurum together with little problem in a similar size tank.
the difference in mouth shapes suggests relatively different diet choices in nature.
I had similar luck keeping bocourti together with Chuco intermedia, although color was similar, body and mouth shape suggested a different diet preference, as adults.
The obvious similarities in species of the same genus usually leads to conflict, or hybridizing, and is much of the reason I don't keep species of the same genus, like two species of Vieja, or two species of Parachromis, in the same tank
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Duanes' advice, as always, is solid. I think you could give it a shot. I would keep an eye on the lyonsi, they are definitely a bit feistier than heterospila in my opinion. Might be a good idea to add one more fish, that is a smaller growin species, so there is not just 2 cichlids in the tank. I have always found 2 to be a bad number; the dominant fish bullies subdominant.
Ideas for the third fish: Honduran red point, sajica, centrarchus
Ideas for the third fish: Honduran red point, sajica, centrarchus
I've grown out heteros & lyonsi together starting from 1in to about 7-8in in a CA cichlid community tank before. I found both to be very slow growers & not particularly aggressive compared with the other Vieja species in the tank.
I think you'd be fine in a 90gal if you bought them small - 1in size - and grew them out together. I'd buy groups, not just one of each. Put lots of hiding spots in there & you could go a year before needing an upgrade.
As for my comment on the aggression, my fish were sub adults & not breeding when I rehomed them. I can't speak on adult aggression, but I found them both mild tempered when young
I think you'd be fine in a 90gal if you bought them small - 1in size - and grew them out together. I'd buy groups, not just one of each. Put lots of hiding spots in there & you could go a year before needing an upgrade.
As for my comment on the aggression, my fish were sub adults & not breeding when I rehomed them. I can't speak on adult aggression, but I found them both mild tempered when young