Need a little info on Argentea, Regani, Maculicauda (black belt)

[Nexxus]

I have 1 of each of these sp. coming in Tuesday morning. The biggest is a WC Rio Tulija V. Argentea between 7-8" and the V. Regani and V. Maculicauda will be between 5-6". I just wanted to know from some people who have kept them. What should i expect aggression wise? They are all males and will be going into the 240 gallon pictured below.

They will be in a tank with about seven 1.5-3" dovii fry left over from the tanks last inhabitants along with (2) 4" silver dollars and (3) 6-7" red hooks. and a RTC for now at about 9-10 inches.( i know its not ideal with the RTC but for now im going to leave him as he hasnt eaten a single specimen of live fish that ive put in there for that specific purpose in the 4 months ive had him )

i also have a question of feeding. should i put vegetables in there every so often? I have Granules, Flakes and Cichlid Gold pellets as staples. What do they enjoy as treats? ie: live fish for cichla

i appreciate any and all responses!

 

[Nexxus]

sorry about water quality. just changed from sand substrate to river rock

 

[flowerpower]

I think you should be fine for now. The dovii fry will probably help a bit with aggression but I'd expect either the argentae or the blackbelt to dominate the regani. Longterm, the regani may have some trouble and the RTC's gotta go. Good luck. Who did you order from?

 

[Nexxus]

I think you should be fine for now. The dovii fry will probably help a bit with aggression but I'd expect either the argentae or the blackbelt to dominate the regani. Longterm, the regani may have some trouble and the RTC's gotta go. Good luck. Who did you order from?

yea im kinda hoping that the silver dollars and red hooks will suffice for the long run as dithers, and the ones i have coming in are the only 3 in there besides the fry and silver dollars so its quite a bit of space. and the RTC will stay until either something happens or hes just too big for me to sleep even if nothing happens. then i will find him another adequate home. but for now i like him.

most of my south and central american cichlids i get from Gage at Cichlid Connection.

 

[Psylant]

I'm not trying to hijack this, but I got 2 2" Regani last night for my empty 180g. Are they EXTREMELY shy fish? They've been in the tank for about 20 hours now and they've been hiding the entire time.

 

[Gruff Master]

yea im kinda hoping that the silver dollars and red hooks will suffice for the long run as dithers, and the ones i have coming in are the only 3 in there besides the fry and silver dollars so its quite a bit of space. and the RTC will stay until either something happens or hes just too big for me to sleep even if nothing happens. then i will find him another adequate home. but for now i like him.

most of my south and central american cichlids i get from Gage at Cichlid Connection.

I've kept both Black Belts and Argentea. Both can be aggressive at times but I found the Black Belts to be aggressive more often than Argentea. I like both species and you received yours from an excellent source. Providing a quality pellet as a staple would be the best thing for them. I have no experience with Regani. I think they are beautiful cichlids though.

I'm not trying to hijack this, but I got 2 2" Regani last night for my empty 180g. Are they EXTREMELY shy fish? They've been in the tank for about 20 hours now and they've been hiding the entire time.

I think they will venture out more with time. You have two very small fish that have been newly introduced to a very large tank without any other fish. It may take them a few days to adjust. Maybe adding a school of tetras or barbs will draw the Regani out a little more.

 

[jgentry]

I would not keep regani with black belts or argentea. Regani are shy and very likely to get beat senseless by the others. You might get lucky but I doubt it. Keep a very close eye on them if you put them together.

 

[Madness]

I think you should be fine for now. The dovii fry will probably help a bit with aggression but I'd expect either the argentae or the blackbelt to dominate the regani. Longterm, the regani may have some trouble and the RTC's gotta go. Good luck. Who did you order from?

I have to disagree a bit with this. My Regani is no slouch and in my 250 with occupants like, Zonatus, BB, Argentea, Fen, Bifa, Regani, and Breidohri, all ranging from 7" to 10". I would say the Regani is 2nd in the pecking order behind the Zo. Though you read that Argentea and BB are more aggressive, its not that way in my tank. So just keep an eye open and watch closely. I dont think that you will have to remove any of the 3, and it may not be as bad as you may think.

I'm not trying to hijack this, but I got 2 2" Regani last night for my empty 180g. Are they EXTREMELY shy fish? They've been in the tank for about 20 hours now and they've been hiding the entire time.

2- 2" fish in a 180. That is why they are hiding. Let them get use to everything. 20 hours is no where near long enough.

 

[Jc1119]

I just picked up one of Gage's wild caught Argentea and he was very shy in qt. Now that he's in the big tank he's very outgoing and not aggressive at all. Total pig too eating Xtreme big fella and monster like its going out of style.

Currently housed with a Midas, festae, Freddy , Dempsey and convict and a shoal of silver dollars. Loves the sd's constantly trying to heard them. All in all a great fish.

 

[Nexxus]

I have to disagree a bit with this. My Regani is no slouch and in my 250 with occupants like, Zonatus, BB, Argentea, Fen, Bifa, Regani, and Breidohri, all ranging from 7" to 10". I would say the Regani is 2nd in the pecking order behind the Zo. Though you read that Argentea and BB are more aggressive, its not that way in my tank. So just keep an eye open and watch closely. I dont think that you will have to remove any of the 3, and it may not be as bad as you may think.

thanks for the positive reinforcement, I was thinking otherwise with all the other posts. I really like the look of these three fish so im going to give it a try and see how it goes. I think with them being the main occupants and with all the space it should be fine. if not ill separate and pick which one or two i want to keep out of the three and re-home the other.