Need advice on direction

[Angotull]

Hello all from deep dark Africa. I am new here and am trying to get some help on a little dilemma I face.

I very recently rescued a 25cm (10 inch) Vieja from a LFS who had been handed the little guy because he was a bully in the tank. I do not know the circumstance of his previous home, nor do I know his age, however I put the behavior down the things that typically cause bad vibes, water quality, temperature, size of tank, etc.

Regardless, I couldn't bear to see him languish in that tiny tank, with his faded colours, and that sad look. He has now been put into a larger tank, although not his permanent home.

This is where the questions come in. I would very much like to provide him with a large tank with tankmates, however I am worried about his previous bullying I was told about. I don't mind setting up a larger tank for him on his own, but given the chance, I would like to provide some "buddies" for him. I don't want to be in a situation where he is a terror in the tank (although quite amusing for him I'm sure), and I end up having to remove him anyway into ANOTHER large tank.

I don't know the species well, my tanks thus far have been Amazonian style including a current 5 foot Angel tank. Do they do well completely alone? He seems alright on his own at the moment. Given the problems of introducing a mate, I am pretty convinced this isn't a route to follow.

Any advice for me and the new little guy? Would appreciate some insight.

Cheers

 

[Rivers2k]

They do alright on their own. However since you don't know the conditions or the tank mates he was kept with most likely too small of a tank caused aggression. Tank mates would depend on the size of your tank.

 

[Rocksor]

I would not put any tankmates in a tank of less than 6 feet with that vieja. Post a picture of the vieja, so it can be identified properly.

 

[ragin_cajun]

8-10 inches is about the size when they start to get aggressive. Just becoming adult fish, getting serious about territory and space. I'd say if you want to put him with other big fish, get a tank big enough for that--an 8 foot tank perhaps. If he just won't live with others in an 8 foot tank, put him in a tank by himself and then decide what you want to do in the 8 foot tank. Have you thought about a pond?