Mixing 2 Armatus with Aros and Dats

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flamenco-t

Piranha
MFK Member
Mar 27, 2006
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I bougth 4 from IA when Rich had the babies, I lost 2, 1 was being alinated by the shoal and died. The other one bump his head against the lid. I could propbaly saved this one but I had to leave out of town and let him be and hope for the best instead of removing the other 2.

NOW, I still have 2....they're about 13 and the other one about 15". Eat smelt and shrimp every other day. Healthy appetites, swims normal and staying on one side of the tank only.

A few weeks ago I saw the larger one charging at the 13". I may need to spearate them soon but again THEY'RE STILL IN THE GROW OUT TANK, A 75 GALLON. It's been over a year and a half.


Honestly, I am scared to take them out LOL I am planning on moving them to the 540 (10 ft long) but I am afraid of the following scenarios;

1. I have 6 Big dats (12-17"), 3 Aros (2 x 22" and 13" leichardti) and the rest of bottom dwellers.

How are the dats towards the armatus ? and vice versa ? What about the aros ? I have talked to several experienced keeper and prety much concluded that it's a hit and miss but most have been succesfull and think I will be as well due to the tank size

2. We all know how Armatus eat, have anyone ever experienced any accident while feeding ? Dats tends to decide AT CLOSE RANGE. Armatus decide REALLY fast AT long range then charge at food.

3. The new tank is 10 footer, will the charge become an attack now that the larger one have room to run versus the old 4 footer ? Or will they just hang out in their own territory ?

Getting rid of the dats is out of the question. I had 23 and I reduced the stock to the largest 6 just for the armatus. I MAY be okay without the aros...if it needs to be.

Will dither fish helps calm the armatus down ?

I know it'sa lot of questions, but all feedback are appreciated.

stan
 
Concerns are valid...given tank size and Dat size, I think you'll be okay. My Large Armatus did well with Aro's and a variety of other fish, BUT I always hade a large school of Black bar Silver dollars as Dithers.

BTW, PICS!
 
I am going to put my large fei feng from the other tank to the 540 so hopefully, that'll keep them occupied for now..

The larger dats are very calm with the exception of one Indo, but he was always agressive smaller dats, never to anything else..

Gimme something good tmw, I'll give you pics plus a 6x8 glossy SIGNED pic of me ;) :D

Stan
 
When armatus eat they sometimes hold it in there mouth and if the dats notice it, trouble could happen.

I think you will see sparkles if you do it. :)

GL, but we need to see a video
 
Agreed on pics!

IMO you won't know til you try it out.
I remember hearing R1 say that the armatus sometimes left their tankmates will missing eyes, as they sometimes fanged their tankmates when charging food.
 
maybe i could help you out here.. we have similar tank specimens.. my tank is less than half the size of yours.. i have 3 15" armatus from IA last batch, 2 IT 13" AND 10", NTT 9". and the 18" jardini, a 12" orino pbass and 2x florida gar 12"... you'll be ok...

i had the armatus when they were 3-4" and the largest dat i had was 8".. i was worried then.. the dat does bully them then, but didn't kill em... i believe you'll be ok...

if your worried bout initial introduction.. do a major water change that can stress all your fish a bit when you introduce your armatus.. it helps with initial aggression towards new fish... then just do a close observation for about 1-3 days up to a week... you will notice right away if it doesn't match well.. GOOD LUCK
 
I think you have a better than 50-50 chance given they (armatus) have been raised w/tankmates. When I feed, I try to space it out. My old day that was w/my old armatus ate on one side of the tank (ie: left side I fed armatus n as he ate, I fed the rest on the right side). Also w/multiple moving Aros, it distracts the charging armatus.

Now this is mostly based on thoughts but I think your armatus have told you if they will allow tankmates. The aggression right now is probably due to the limit of space

Pics pics :D
 
The only concern is the Leichardti, since it's same size, if not smaller, with the Armatus. The datnoid and Armatus will hardly mix with each other. You don't need more dither. The six datnoid will keep the Armatus in check. Good luck Stan.
 
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