Mixing different sized P. Bass

[Fwaka]

Wanting to know how big of a size difference will be okay when it comes to peacock bass? I have a 12” orino in one tank and a 8” kelberi in another tank and i want to put them together in a 225 gallon. Ive seen people with big bass mixed with bass that are about half its size but i dont want to risk them eating eachother! Looking for outside opinions!
225 gal- (10” oscar, 14” IT, 7” Vieja argentea, 7” marble ray, 16” bichir, 14” tigrinus, 6” black bar SD, 12” orino) 6’x 2.5’ footprint. Plan on upgrading to 8’ or 10’ tank when necessary! (Also would a 6” bass be okay with a 3-4” bass?)

 

[tcav88]

Wanting to know how big of a size difference will be okay when it comes to peacock bass? I have a 12” orino in one tank and a 8” kelberi in another tank and i want to put them together in a 225 gallon. Ive seen people with big bass mixed with bass that are about half its size but i dont want to risk them eating eachother! Looking for outside opinions!
225 gal- (10” oscar, 14” IT, 7” Vieja argentea, 7” marble ray, 16” bichir, 14” tigrinus, 6” black bar SD, 12” orino) 6’x 2.5’ footprint. Plan on upgrading to 8’ or 10’ tank when necessary! (Also would a 6” bass be okay with a 3-4” bass?)

If it’s just two bass I wouldn’t do it, most likely they’ll fight. Best to keep them in odd numbers. Although it varies on each individual bass, orinos are far more aggressive than kelberi. But the size differences in my experience are hit or miss. Sometimes it’s enough to tear the small ones to the point you have to remove them again and sometimes everything works out just fine. Best of luck and keep a tank ready for them to be moved if it doesn’t work out.

 

[Blakewater]

An orino with that much size advantage with just one other bass is highly unadvised. Due to, as stated above, Orinos are one of, if not the most aggressive cichla. On to your other question: In my personal experience, smaller bass are more ready to eat each other whereas my bigger bass seem to prefer the company if they arent starving and get kept fed. I just added a 7" and 8" Xingu in with my school of 12-14" Pinima and Brokopondo with no issues aside from the general posturing and hierarchy rework. Whereas I've had 4-5" bass go nuts trying to eat 3" bass.

If you do have a few bass in your tank down the road and decide to add some smaller ones dont be alarmed if the biggies charge after your smaller guys. This is how they kind of set their schooling standard within each other. Not saying don't keep a close eye on it, but in general if you're feeding well and your big guys still want to make an outright snack you'll know 95% of the time.

 

[Tony A.]

Most likely right away.

An orino with that much size advantage with just one other bass is highly unadvised. Due to, as stated above, Orinos are one of, if not the most aggressive cichla. On to your other question: In my personal experience, smaller bass are more ready to eat each other whereas my bigger bass seem to prefer the company if they arent starving and get kept fed. I just added a 7" and 8" Xingu in with my school of 12-14" Pinima and Brokopondo with no issues aside from the general posturing and hierarchy rework. Whereas I've had 4-5" bass go nuts trying to eat 3" bass.

If you do have a few bass in your tank down the road and decide to add some smaller ones dont be alarmed if the biggies charge after your smaller guys. This is how they kind of set their schooling standard within each other. Not saying don't keep a close eye on it, but in general if you're feeding well and your big guys still want to make an outright snack you'll know 95% of the time.

Most likely right away