New 180 gal tank stocking

[Whiskey_Neat]

I have recently acquired a 180 gallon tank. I've narrowed down my stocking choices to either a pair of jags or a pair of tiger mota. Any first hand insight as to the pros and cons of each would be appreciated. Google searches only give you so much information.

 

[pops]

no experience with mota, if a jag pair best have a divider handy and the male will dig the pee out of it.

 

[Blue Demp]

Go with a pair of Festae ;-)

 

[adamsfishes]

Tough call. I like the Honduras Jags. Very beautiful fish.

Of course a female mota looks incredible...

 

[Nilsafeller]

Never had a jag.. love mota though... female have beautiful color.. males can become some big thick beasts... this little guy is about 6 to 7 inches now... if you want to see a nice adult mota check out this video

 

[duanes]

I have kept both species, if it were me I'd get a group of juvies and grow them up together in the tank. Either/or, are great species to keep.
The larger the group you start with, the better chance you will end up with a compatible pair.
6 or 8 is a good number of juvies to start with.
As pair bonding occurs the pair may, or may not kill off others, this is normal, and serves to solidify the pair bond.
Once you end up with a copasetic pair, I doubt you will ever be able to add any other fish to that size tank.
BTW, neither of these two species are South Americans, they come from Central America, actually part of North America

 

[Whiskey_Neat]

I have kept both species, if it were me I'd get a group of juvies and grow them up together in the tank. Either/or, are great species to keep.
The larger the group you start with, the better chance you will end up with a compatible pair.
6 or 8 is a good number of juvies to start with.
As pair bonding occurs the pair may, or may not kill off others, this is normal, and serves to solidify the pair bond.
Once you end up with a copasetic pair, I doubt you will ever be able to add any other fish to that size tank.

Definitely going to grow them out from juvies. It will be a species only tank. Was just trying to get an idea of which species is more interesting as far as personality

 

[Whiskey_Neat]

Go with a pair of Festae ;-)

Festae are awesome fish. Too bad I can never find them

 

[duanes]

Since they are both such close cousins, behavior, attitude, and size are very similar, the only significant difference to me, is the red color in female motags.