My First Big Boy Tank!

  • We are currently upgrading MFK. thanks! -neo
xraycer said:
Thanks!

Please explain why you need to mess with the heaters with the seasonal changes?

I've never actually seen any Viejas in person, only on Youtube, so I'm really looking forward to growing them out. Only have a 2.5" synspilum right now, but getting ready to place a big order on various baby Vieja species really soon. What was your coatzacoalcos growth rate?
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Heater question - My house temp changes from 75 in summer to 65 in the winter. My temp will be off a couple degrees if I don't account for that.


Coatzacoalcos growth rate is ridiculous. Along with melanarus, they have been the fastest growing for me. I got them in september of last year @ maybe 1in from Jeff Rapps. They are close to 10in now, maybe 9in for the mel. Next fastest have been my bifas & syns.
 
My tank has only been running for a year & at least half of my fish are still considered juvies, so I'm not sure about how it will work out long term, but as of now I rate it a success. I have little aggression - short chases here & there and rarely a split fin. I'm going to need a larger tank though within the next year without a doubt.

Here are some tips for a Vieja community(keep in mind, I still rate myself a newbie)

1. Minimum of a 180gal, 6ft tank. They need the width & length.
2. Buy all stock small & grow out together.
3. Keep all one gender. Either all males or all females.
4. Keep them well fed to keep aggression down.
5. Good filtration & frequent water changes. These fish crap a TON & because of #4, the tank can get messy in a hurry.
 
Thanks for the info!
 
decoy50 said:
My tank has only been running for a year & at least half of my fish are still considered juvies, so I'm not sure about how it will work out long term, but as of now I rate it a success. I have little aggression - short chases here & there and rarely a split fin. I'm going to need a larger tank though within the next year without a doubt.

Here are some tips for a Vieja community(keep in mind, I still rate myself a newbie)

1. Minimum of a 180gal, 6ft tank. They need the width & length.
2. Buy all stock small & grow out together.
3. Keep all one gender. Either all males or all females.
4. Keep them well fed to keep aggression down.
5. Good filtration & frequent water changes. These fish crap a TON & because of #4, the tank can get messy in a hurry.
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Cool thread !!! I wish I could produce a stand like that, looks great.

I personally dont think sex has much to do with it, in my big mixed vieja tank (with some americans and africans) they fight but its always sorted out + the breeding process seems to keep the tank in order, the fish seem to know when x fish is trying to breed and give it room then if fish go close like right now the dovii and fene are flaring at one another but very rarely do they actually fight. I also notice my males keep the females under control as they always want to fight with one another.

the food point i couldn't agree more on, i did run out of food once and slacked off till the weekend lost a few tinfoil barbs but I dont believe it was the viejas killing them but they certainty enjoyed picking the eyes out :)
 
Squirtle919 said:
Cool thread !!! I wish I could produce a stand like that, looks great.

I personally dont think sex has much to do with it, in my big mixed vieja tank (with some americans and africans) they fight but its always sorted out + the breeding process seems to keep the tank in order, the fish seem to know when x fish is trying to breed and give it room then if fish go close like right now the dovii and fene are flaring at one another but very rarely do they actually fight. I also notice my males keep the females under control as they always want to fight with one another.

the food point i couldn't agree more on, i did run out of food once and slacked off till the weekend lost a few tinfoil barbs but I dont believe it was the viejas killing them but they certainty enjoyed picking the eyes out :)
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Good to hear another perspective. Thanks, Man!
 
Thanks!

Going to pick up a bunch of baby CA cichlids today: Hartwegi, Argentea, Bocourti, Regani, Zonatus, Fenestratus, others?
 
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