New to Vieja...how well do they do with each other?

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The True Guapote

The True Guapote

Piranha
MFK Member
Apr 14, 2005
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I'm setting up a new 4'x2'x2' tank for a small V. maculicauda I have and I'm just wondering how well the genus mixes with each other? I'd love to get a M. argentum in there as well, I know compatibility is all relative to each fishes' personality. Unfortunately my P. motaguensis in my 180 is fairly intolerant of just about any other fish in there so it's been made apparent to me he's going to be residing alone.
Also-aside from the usual dither fish suggestions, does anyone know of anything relatively commonly available that would be biotope correct for Vieja locales? I'm not going to get too specific to certain lakes/drainages but also don't want to put any Myleus or larger barbs in there... I know livebearers tend to inhabit the same waters but I haven't been able to find much on any schooling species. Thanks!
 
Vieja species have some variation in temperament. Maculicauda and argentae are two of the most aggressive species in my opinion. In a 4' tank, either fish is probably going to have be the only cichlid as an adult, definitely not both together. You might be able to get away with some convicts or similarly tough small cichlids that the big guy won't see as a threat. But no guarantees, your vieja might not want to share.
As far as the dithers, livebearers like mollys and swords are the usual go-to for CA fish. Astyanax/Mexican tetras would work and are from CA. Belonesox Belizanus are a cool option that are from CA as well.
 
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+1 add zonatus to the aggressive list.
 
In nature, you hardly ever find two species of Vieja in the same area. Because they are competitors for the same foods, and similar breeding sites. The one (the best suited for the type terrain) usually usurps any other. In a tank as small as 4 X 2 X 2 (if it were me) I'd only keep one Vieja species, especially aggressive ones like maculacauda, or argentea.
On a personal experience level, I find argentea will usually assassinate any cichlid its size or larger Vieja or not. I tried to keep argentea in a larger tank than you suggest with some Parachromis. At 7 inches the alpha argentea had a 12" managuense pinned in one upper corner and a 10 " dovii in the other upper corner. The argentea was moved to its own tank to save the lives of the much larger Parachromines.
 
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I standby my experience that Vieja Maculicauda is probably the most aggressive Vieja's out there. Keep in mind there is no exact science because he fish comes with their own personality.
 
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I think you're making a smart move. Good luck!
 
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Hey I have a 240gal with about 10 grow outs including 2x festae, blackbelt, synspilum, argentea, freddy, jag, texas, jd, gt and they all range between 3 and 6 inches. The black belt is 6 inch and rules the tank. I find the younger u get them and if u overstock the tank a bit the aggression is divided between too many bodies to cause too much trouble. My fish have no real aggression just a bit of flaring. As they grow the tank size will be upgraded to 300gallons+ tank. With all Americans it's all a gamble but in a 4x2x2 I feel minimal success due to room. Best of luck though
 
Ya I think when you use that method of stocking your tank with lots of fish you can get away with it a lot better than just having a few fish. I’m just going to focus on aquascaping the blackbelt’s tank and getting some other small fish in there to keep him company.
 
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