Mix & Match...Large tanks=Large cichlids=Large problems

[---XR---]

1.) Umbies are open water predators and require much more space than an average 20" cichlid would need. Of course, you can keep it in a 240, but that's like never letting a race horse run.

2.) I'm speaking generally. In my experience, the weakest fish in a batch of grow outs is always less colorful than the dominant fish. Yes, the more aggressive fish have more wounds, but say they were to live in a tank by them self, the strong, aggressive ones usually look better. Also, weak fish sometimes end up with deformities from loosing fights, etc... Of course, there are exceptions to this.

1.- other open water predators- Dovii, many many adults are kept in 8'x2's, but yes you are on with the race horse comment, bigger is better. there are many many large cichlids, that thrive naturally in open water. but no aquarium in the world can simualate the Natural places they live in.

2. the exception to the rule are these proposed aquariums, an aquarium with these sorts of predators, is an aquarium where weak fish will die. i have never found female umbee's to be perticualrly strong fish.

 

[kendog1]

alot of good information there guys,are the big umbee;s that difficult to keep???

 

[thefishguy7]

1.- other open water predators- Dovii, many many adults are kept in 8'x2's, but yes you are on with the race horse comment, bigger is better. there are many many large cichlids, that thrive naturally in open water. but no aquarium in the world can simualate the Natural places they live in.

2. the exception to the rule are these proposed aquariums, an aquarium with these sorts of predators, is an aquarium where weak fish will die. i have never found female umbee's to be perticualrly strong fish.

I guess you're right. But, seeing how he's setting up a 500 gallon and a 700 gallon, I'd still give the umbie the larger space and give it the 500. You can still house other fish with an umbie in a 500, just probably not many cichlids.

alot of good information there guys,are the big umbee;s that difficult to keep???

I wouldn't consider them difficult, they just need space. From what I've read, umbies also require much better water conditions than other cichlids.

 

[terrors r us]

Maybe give King Umbee the 500 to himself.

this would be ideal but I can't justify giving one fish an entire tank...

 

[thefishguy7]

this would be ideal but not I can't justify giving one fish an entire tank...

I see where you are coming from. You can still try other fish, most bottom dwellers such as plecos will be fine with an umbie. With tinfoils you might be able to add a large cichlid or 2.

I still want to know the dimensions you are planning on...

 

[terrors r us]

The gallon capacity is important in determining the compatibility but not as important as the basic footprint of the tank. What are the dimensions gonna be? You can get away with a lot more in a 12 foot 500 gallon that isn't as high versus a tall 500... obviously a 12 footer is hard to accomodate but you get the picture.

as for stocking, I agree with thefishguy7's stocking suggestion as well as the possibility of fish pairing up.

The footprints are;
Tank 1 - 700 gal = 10ftx4ftx30inches high
Tank 2 - 500 gal = 10ftx3ftx30inches high
Tank 3 - 240 gal = 8ftx2ftx2ft high

 

[terrors r us]

your going to be looking at problems with aggresion anyway you swing these tanks. (all fish are different with different temperments) just like people.

i'll try to give you the best advice i can to help you keep these species with minimal casulties.

Tank 1- if the umbee is male give him the 240 to himself, if your going to want multiple umbees (6) make sure there female, you can mix them with other cichlids.

the 500 and 700's are a throw up being that it's impossible to know how the cichlids will react with eachother until you can experiment with them cohabing. i'll say this- keep some larger dither fish in the tank, this may rule out some of the aggresion. a faster, more active larger fish like tinfoil barbs would work. (and make sure there are NO breeding pairs of anything in those tanks. i'd also take butti's off the list. and keep one male umbee alone.

first of all your right about the buterkofrie (OFF THE LIST!)
secondly I was thinking about 24 giant danios and 3 or 4 leporinus for dithers.

 

[terrors r us]

Thanks for all the input!!!!!!

So here is my wish list: (I think I'll put a mussel on the umbi)

All breeding pairs.....
Tank 1 - 700 gal - (10ftx4ftx30inches high) ;
umbi (20inch long), Black nasty (18inch long), Festae (18inch long).

Optional: Jaguars (18inches long) I don't think they are mean enough.
Optional: Fenustratus (18 inch long)


Tank 2 - 500 gal - (10ftx3ftx30inches high) :
Midas (16inch long), Bifaciatus (16inch long), Cuban (12 plus inch long),
Trimac (16inch long).


Tank 3 - 240 gal - (8ftx2ftx2ft high) :
Labiatus (12inch long), Carpinte (12inch long), Motaguense(12inch long).


Does this have a hope in hell?????:

 

[DarthV]

Breeding pairs of those species? Good luck with that in those tanks. Might work when they are smaller, but I have a funny feeling that full adult pair of haits or festae are not going to want to share even a 700g tank. Not to mention, have fun trying to track down all those species here in Canada. It's taken me 4+ years to get carpintis 'escondido', tetracanthus (cubans), festae, haitiensis & red tiger motas all added to my collection. It's not impossible, but trying to get everything at once probably will be

I'm not sure how easy it would be to raise all of those fish in large aquariums like that from fry. I'd almost suggest you go for some 75g tanks for each species at first.

And of course, like everything in this hobby, you'll need quite a bit of patience. In acquiring the fish and growing them out. It's taken almost 5 years for my LFS midas to hit 14" and about 4 years got my carpintis to hit 10-11".

 

[terrors r us]

Breeding pairs of those species? Good luck with that in those tanks. Might work when they are smaller, but I have a funny feeling that full adult pair of haits or festae are not going to want to share even a 700g tank. Not to mention, have fun trying to track down all those species here in Canada. It's taken me 4+ years to get carpintis 'escondido', tetracanthus (cubans), festae, haitiensis & red tiger motas all added to my collection. It's not impossible, but trying to get everything at once probably will be

I'm not sure how easy it would be to raise all of those fish in large aquariums like that from fry. I'd almost suggest you go for some 75g tanks for each species at first.

And of course, like everything in this hobby, you'll need quite a bit of patience. In acquiring the fish and growing them out. It's taken almost 5 years for my LFS midas to hit 14" and about 4 years got my carpintis to hit 10-11".

DarthV ... nice to see a Canuck with the same species as I am going to get!
You must of heard of "Tangled up in cichids" or "Don Conklen"????? etc.....
Plus I am in Alberta....Between Edmonton & Calgary I can find almost any species....

I agree that when adult this might be a disaster but has anyone tried it yet??? Keep in touch.......thanks....