My S.Manueli

[nzafi]

thanks, I know it takes a lot of patience with these guys (both the dog and fish). I really hope he gets back to the way he was in the 65, he used every inch of that tank. I’ve read stories of people changing set ups and the fish not coming back out of its shell or it taking a really long time. Either way I’m waiting it out. I’m in this for the long run, I really hope to get this guy to a 10”+ monster lol.

They usually snap out of it. I had rhom for 17 years and probably moved him 10-15 times. He always came out of his shell at some point.

 

[Scruffy4]

By no means an expert, but have you considered throwing 10-20 small tetras in there? Obviously after quarantine being a Manny is such an expensive fish. Dont know if they would last very long but they may help to bring him out of his shell and signal that everything is OK.

Not a bad idea. If you have some sort of breeding cichlid or livebearers the fry could work. Seeing some dither activity would probably help the piranha to feel that the new territory is a safe one.

I already have 32 ( maybe less now) cardinal tetras in the tank. I’m not to worried, he’s eating his usual piece of silver side every other day. I think it has to do more with the fact that the new location has more “Foot traffic” which is definitely going to take time for him to get use to. Also the fact that I’m running 2 fluval 3.0 lights at 70% doesn’t help. He’s used to those crappy leds that come with a tank set. I was originally thinking of some convicts but I know he’ll take them out before they have a chance to breed. Once he gets larger he may not bother with smaller dither fish but for now anything 1”+ he sees as a meal.

If you decide to add the Tetras I suggest quarantine them for a month or longer. I personally would do the quarantine without hesitation because as you stated expensive Manny.

I will definitely quarantine anything new that goes into his tank. For now I think I’ll just wait it out.

They usually snap out of it. I had rhom for 17 years and probably moved him 10-15 times. He always came out of his shell at some point.

Thanks, I know I’ve read a bunch of times of pretty much the exact same scenario. this is pretty much the reason people buy piranha and end up getting rid of them not realizing that it takes time. Also not all end up being blood thirsty monsters lol.
I appreciate all the feed back!

 

[nzafi]

Definitely good luck with it and keep updating your post. I am jealous. A large manueli has always been one of my dream. I had one many years ago when I many tanks but had to get rid of him. I got another a couple years ago and split the tank with my rhom. It was causing a ton of stress on my rhom that was 17 years old at the time, and I was forced to sell the manny. My rhom died shortly after that and I ended up getting an aimara. I keep thinking of selling my aimara to get a manueli but can't seem to pull the trigger.

 

[Scruffy4]

Update time. He’s back to being the same brute he was before the upgrade. He’s made home under the driftwood which I think is awesome. It’s nicer to see him under driftwood vs being tucked away in a corner. He’s back to surfing the tank with the lights on and gives me a good chase me when I walk by. I’m doing 100 gal water changes per week and he’s eating every other day. Now it’s time to sit back and enjoy. I really can’t wait until he’s more mature and 10” +. Not 100% sure about growth rate but he’s put on 1”+ within the last 10 months he’s been with me. He’s filled out more and his colour has popped. It’ll be interesting to see what happens with a much larger tank.

 

[tlindsey]

Update time. He’s back to being the same brute he was before the upgrade. He’s made home under the driftwood which I think is awesome. It’s nicer to see him under driftwood vs being tucked away in a corner. He’s back to surfing the tank with the lights on and gives me a good chase me when I walk by. I’m doing 100 gal water changes per week and he’s eating every other day. Now it’s time to sit back and enjoy. I really can’t wait until he’s more mature and 10” +. Not 100% sure about growth rate but he’s put on 1”+ within the last 10 months he’s been with me. He’s filled out more and his colour has popped. It’ll be interesting to see what happens with a much larger tank.

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Little Manny is looking good.

 

[Scruffy4]

It’s been a while, here’s a little video update.

 

[tlindsey]

It’s been a while, here’s a little video update.

Manny is maturing very well.

 

[Scruffy4]

Managed to snap a decent shot. Every time the phone comes out for a shot he decides not to stay still.

 

[Deadeye]

Managed to snap a decent shot. Every time the phone comes out for a shot he decides not to stay still.

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Great shot though! He’s looking great!
My red belly was the same way…the only time he was still for a shot was when he died.

 

[xenacanth9]

Lookin good