I got a 120G with a V. Maculicauda and a P. Loisellei with a pair of dither G. Abalios and some silver dollars. Would adding any other parachromis cause the tank to go in complete anarchy?
Mixing Parachromis species?
- Thread starter FluffySackson
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I have never kept loiselli, but have kept all of the other Parachromis species and the other species you have in the tank. I think you would be OK with a jag or a mota if all were juvies for about 6 months, then you would likely have problems, esp the abalios. I have abalios, they are pretty good sized geos, so you will have a tank full once those fish mature.
I am a bit of a geographic purist, and in nature one would seldom find 2 different species of Parachromis in the same waters, so for that reason alone, I would not mix them. (of course you have Geo abalios, with Vieja and Parachromis, which would never occur in nature, so I realize that is not your concern)
But beyond that....
Unless the Parachromis were a compatible pair (which to me, has its own set of consequential hybrid negatives), in a tank as small as 120 gallons, the tendency to see each other as competition as adults would ultimately seem to lead to some serious aggression issues.
If you do mix them though, I would hope that you would post updates to see if these really are issues, or are non issues as time progresses.
But beyond that....
Unless the Parachromis were a compatible pair (which to me, has its own set of consequential hybrid negatives), in a tank as small as 120 gallons, the tendency to see each other as competition as adults would ultimately seem to lead to some serious aggression issues.
If you do mix them though, I would hope that you would post updates to see if these really are issues, or are non issues as time progresses.
Actually, I know for a fact P. Maculicauda and P. Loisellei are found in the same waters. In Rio Banano, at least. The geos are just temporary residents because their 29g growout tank cracked a while back.
Didn't you ask about adding another Parachromis?
Yes you do find Parachromis loiselli and Vieja maculacauda together.
Finding 2 different genera (trophic forms) is common, but you asked about putting 2 species of the same genus together (ie. adding another Parachromis with loiselli (no?).
What's out of the norm is finding 2 species of the same genera in the same place.
Although you often find 2 species of Thorichthys together, omnivores.
Parachromis is a entirely different ball game. In nature one species of Parachromis would normally out compete the other, either killing it off, driving it out of the habitat, or enduce it into evolving into an entirely different species over time, thru competition, making use of an entirely different trophic strategy.
This is because Parachromis are apex predators.
In countries where you do find 2 types of Parachromis in close proximity such as Nicaragua, P dovii generally inhabits a clear water habitat, and P managuense would be more common in a more turbid environment.
Yes you do find Parachromis loiselli and Vieja maculacauda together.
Finding 2 different genera (trophic forms) is common, but you asked about putting 2 species of the same genus together (ie. adding another Parachromis with loiselli (no?).
What's out of the norm is finding 2 species of the same genera in the same place.
Although you often find 2 species of Thorichthys together, omnivores.
Parachromis is a entirely different ball game. In nature one species of Parachromis would normally out compete the other, either killing it off, driving it out of the habitat, or enduce it into evolving into an entirely different species over time, thru competition, making use of an entirely different trophic strategy.
This is because Parachromis are apex predators.
In countries where you do find 2 types of Parachromis in close proximity such as Nicaragua, P dovii generally inhabits a clear water habitat, and P managuense would be more common in a more turbid environment.
I see, I always thought there was at least somewhere down in Central America where 2 parachromis species inhabited the same body of water. I guess I was wrong. Being that my maculicauda killed every other paraneetroplus species that he's lived with (zonatus, synspilus, breidohri) I will probably not try it again unless I have a tank of 200-300 gallons for strictly central cichlids. Thanks, Duane.
There are some places where you may find 2 Parachromis, but this would be where humans have introduced some in places they aren't normally found, (ie. managuense has been introduced in many places in Central America and Mexico, because it is considered very tasty) or where one water body system has been artificially combined with another, as in the Panama canal.
I'm not surprised your maculicauda has killed others of its genus/and or trophic type.
All the others would be considered natural competitors, and maculicauda are a very dominant, successful species.
Not that it always works in the confines of an aquarium, but I always try to keep species with different shapes, mouth types, and varying colors together, to minimize natural competition.
I realize this often goes against our grain.
If we love Parachromis, we want to keep them together, or same thing with Vieja/Paraneetroplus.
But in the real world, you often find a Vieja, with Astatheros, with Cryptoheros, with Parachromis, in a delicate harmony, because each has developed a feeding strategy, breeding territory, or season that doesn't compete with the others, and in this way maintain a balance.
I have a tank with Astatheros rostratum, Chuco intermedium, and Parachromis "La Ceiba together, and seldom see much more than a skirmish. Although its aquarium, and they all eat basically the same thing, I believe its the instinctual perception that one is really not stepping on the others toes, that keeps aggression to a minimum.
I'm not surprised your maculicauda has killed others of its genus/and or trophic type.
All the others would be considered natural competitors, and maculicauda are a very dominant, successful species.
Not that it always works in the confines of an aquarium, but I always try to keep species with different shapes, mouth types, and varying colors together, to minimize natural competition.
I realize this often goes against our grain.
If we love Parachromis, we want to keep them together, or same thing with Vieja/Paraneetroplus.
But in the real world, you often find a Vieja, with Astatheros, with Cryptoheros, with Parachromis, in a delicate harmony, because each has developed a feeding strategy, breeding territory, or season that doesn't compete with the others, and in this way maintain a balance.
I have a tank with Astatheros rostratum, Chuco intermedium, and Parachromis "La Ceiba together, and seldom see much more than a skirmish. Although its aquarium, and they all eat basically the same thing, I believe its the instinctual perception that one is really not stepping on the others toes, that keeps aggression to a minimum.
I kept loisellei for a long time and I'd advise against another parachromis in a 4 or 6 foot tank when full grown. I've kept them with RTM when they were smaller but they were separated before they got to breeding size.
I'd think of removing the geos. They will not be able to compete as the fish grow. Especially as the black belt grows. That fish can claim the entire tank by itself.
I'd think of removing the geos. They will not be able to compete as the fish grow. Especially as the black belt grows. That fish can claim the entire tank by itself.