I'm sure this has been asked but before but I've searched all over the web and came up with mostly inconclusive answers. What are the thoughts on housing separate species of parachromis together. Like say a Freddy and a Jag or whatever. Not as breeding partners just tank mates.
Mixing parachromis
- Thread starter richkid
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Can be done but needs to be a really large tank, conspecific aggression will be bad. What tank size we talking?
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Most threads on this topic are inconclusive because it really depends on tank size and individual temperament. Parachromis are my favorite fish so I dont blame you for wanting to try, but they are also some of the most territorial and aggressive cichlids across the board and have all the tools to back them up. On the other hand, there are several cases of crossbreeding and one member here has adult pairs of all five guapotes in the same tank (though I cant recall his username offhand). I raised a jag a freddy together but they hardly even noticed eachother because they were too busy trying to snatch convict fry all day lol. I also kept a young pair of dovii with them for a few months, and currently have a juvie rtm who hasn't tolerated any tankmates so far. You would probably have the best luck with a freddy and loisellei, but other combinations might work if you get a female from the more aggressive species
I've housed a large Jag and Freddy together in a 300. Both adult female fish.
Alot will depend on personality, but a larger tank helps.
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Alot will depend on personality, but a larger tank helps.
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I have a parachromis tank. It is 240g 8x2x2. It have 2 Dovii (2M 7"), 4 RTM (1M/3F 6-12"), 4 Freddy (3M/1F 8"), 1 Loiselle (6"), 4 jags (2M/2F). You can get away with the aggression if they are close to the same size. The biggest in the tank are 2 (M/F) Jags (13") and Male RTM (12"). They are territorial especially during breeding. Though they would just chase others away but no major beating. To my experience, the bigger the tank, the better. I also overstock the tank and that also take out the aggression.
Basic rule with cichlids, the bigger the tank/pond the more chance of anything working.
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Thanks for the advice/help everyone. The reason I ask is because I currently keep a female jag ~7-8" amongst other cichlids, but yesterday I had a small ~3" Freddy just fall into my lap
and I only have three tanks. Two were definitely out because one has a flowerhorn and the other a buttikoferi. I figured his best chance would be to go into the tank w the jag in it. The jag is pretty laid back most of the time. She just defends her cave. As long as Freddy is smart enough to stay out maybe he'll make it. At least to a decent size where he can defend himself. I checked this morning and he made it unscathed through the night. Despite my convict giving him a little trouble. I added a ton of extra decor and many new hiding spots. Now I'm wondering if I should add a few more fish just to overcrowd like someone suggested above. This is all in a 125 which I felt was pretty much fully stocked before the Freddy's arrival. He looked so good I just couldn't say no! Lol.
and I only have three tanks. Two were definitely out because one has a flowerhorn and the other a buttikoferi. I figured his best chance would be to go into the tank w the jag in it. The jag is pretty laid back most of the time. She just defends her cave. As long as Freddy is smart enough to stay out maybe he'll make it. At least to a decent size where he can defend himself. I checked this morning and he made it unscathed through the night. Despite my convict giving him a little trouble. I added a ton of extra decor and many new hiding spots. Now I'm wondering if I should add a few more fish just to overcrowd like someone suggested above. This is all in a 125 which I felt was pretty much fully stocked before the Freddy's arrival. He looked so good I just couldn't say no! Lol.
I have a 180 gallon with a 10" female jag, 6" male rtm, 6" female dovii and non parachromis 7" female festae and 5" male grammode. My female jag and dovii protect oppisite cornered clay pots and everyone else stays away. I dont really have problems in there at all.
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