Opinions for filling a 110

[shamrock]

Oscar, RD/midas, chocolate, mota, Viejas rarely get above 12". Yes some do, but the majority will max out at a foot in length. Most of the time those fish would be fine in the 110, but if you were to get the uncommonly large specimen, I do think it would be better off in a 150+. The jaguar, black nasty, and snook, all should have a larger tank. You could keep one for a long time in a 125, maybe for life if it doesn't grow to potential, but it would be better off in a larger tank. As we are giving somebody with an empty tank advice on what new fish to get, it doesn't make sense to me to tell them to get a fish that would just barely be "okay", when there are plenty of fish that would do much better and thrive in this smaller tank. The equivalent of a buttikoferi in this 110 would be an RD/Midas/Oscar etc in a 55 gallon tank. Will the fish die because the tank is too small? No. But are there plenty of much better options for the tank size? absolutely.

Wait so you are trying to tell me that a Jaguar or Snook would bearly fit in a 125 gallon tank that is 6 feet long and 18 inches wide?
I have had Red Devils reach 14 inches, Viejas rarely get 12 inches? Really are you sure about that, my Synspilium is 15+ inches.

I get it a bigger tank is better, I don't argue with that. But according to your logic it would be like me telling someone that a 30 gallon tank is too small for a Amp. Brichardi because the width has to be 2-3 times the size of the fish, a bit overkill IMO.

Like I stated before if the industry went by you and Snazz's logic then keeping fish in a glass cage would be illegal.

 

[shamrock]

Personally I think oscars, vieja, Rd,midas will all grow bigger then 12 inch, fish grow for the majority of there life given the correct care and time. Alot of Andy Woods fish are over 5 years old and still have noticeable growth.
As aquarist's we all go on how long a fish get, but a 12 inch moto weighs about 600 grams a 12 inch trimac weighs over a 1000 grams a 16 inch jag is about the same weight as a 14 inch midas an 18 inch butti must be getting on for 4 lbs,

Trying to understand your point? I don't really understand where weight comes into this?

I am not claiming to be an expert, but I have been in the hobby for quite a long time. I have pretty much raised mostly every large cichlid that exists. I am not saying to put a Oscar or Butti in a 55, but to say they can't live comfortably in a 19 inch wide tank for life is a stretch for me, IDK maybe the water in El Paso is different

I love a healthy debate, but it appears some people (not yourself) want to argue for the sake of arguing, I have yet to hear from Stannz personal exp of ever owning a Butti.
For example: I have never owned Angelfish, it would be like me going on a forum for Angelfish and arguing with someone who has actually owned them for years

 

[shamrock]

The trouble is a lot of hobbyists move fish on a lot.
They will often reach twelve inches and then get rehomed.
I have personally seen many veija well over 14 inches and up to 17 inches.The same goes for oscars and Rd/midas cichlids.
The ones that don't achieve these size are normally in tanks that are too small or have too many nitrates.

I really think your pulling for straws. Where did you see the 17 inch Oscar? Not trying to be a jerk but IMHO it appears to me you are throwing out random numbers, I mean is it possible for some special Oscar to reach 17 inches? Yeah maybe I guess, but the way you post makes it seems like these fish (like the 17 inch Oscar) get that big on average.

To the OP, sorry to hijack your thread was just trying to help. If you want whisper me and I can show you pics of some of my tanks and fish. I can even get you in contact with Rapps if you need clarification on tank size compared to fish.

 

[dan518]

Trying to understand your point? I don't really understand where weight comes into this?

I am not claiming to be an expert, but I have been in the hobby for quite a long time. I have pretty much raised mostly every large cichlid that exists. I am not saying to put a Oscar or Butti in a 55, but to say they can't live comfortably in a 19 inch wide tank for life is a stretch for me, IDK maybe the water in El Paso is different

I love a healthy debate, but it appears some people (not yourself) want to argue for the sake of arguing, I have yet to hear from Stannz personal exp of ever owning a Butti.
For example: I have never owned Angelfish, it would be like me going on a forum for Angelfish and arguing with someone who has actually owned them for years

To me weight is the true measurement of how big your fish is not just using one dimension, length, I understand why we all do it as it's the easiest dimension to eyeball while looking at your tank.

 

[Stanzzzz7]

Ok shamrock I give in, your right.
Most fish thrive if their tank is just a couple of inches wider than their actual body length.
All cichlids stop growing at 12 inches just for our convenience.
I have only been in the hobby for 2 weeks and have only kept white cloud mountain minnows so far.
I can see your advice has the cichlids welfare at heart and I am going to get a t shirt printed with the statement "shamrock loves cichlids, cichlids love shamrock" wrote on it.
You are the main man for sure as no body here is disagreeing with you,you also have a staggering 6 likes after 1700 posts.This tells me your advice is well received and respected.
Thank you shamrock for enlightening us all on the welfare of these beautiful creatures and how to make them live happy healthy lives. You are an inspiration to me and I am not worthy to follow in your compassionate footsteps.
One day we may all be as wise and kind as you,until then I shall sit here and watch my mountain minnows.

 

[Stanzzzz7]

Forgot to add,I agree a 20 inch jag or Snook is a perfect fish for an 18 inch wide tank.

Do you think my white cloud mountain minnows will be happy in a 2 inch cube tank?

 

[Stanzzzz7]

Op,
I apologise for my part in derailing your thread.
Your tank is a decent foot print and you have lots of options.
We can advise you best if you tell us your water hardness values, ph etc.
Some fish are not fussy and others are.You mentioned threadfins, they are indeed beautiful fish but will not do well in hard water.
Post this info and we can help you choose something suitable.

 

[Gourami Swami]

S shamrock , not trying to argue, just offering my opinion to OP. he can look at mine and look at yours and decide for himself. Yes, RD/Midas/Vieja/Oscar can all get larger than 12". I said that in my original statement, they can get larger but often times max at 12". There are many types of vieja of varying size, that was obviously just a generalized statement. My point in saying that, was that those fish were not a fair comparison to a buttikoferi. Those fish would probably be alright in the 110, but I was saying if you DID get a large, say 15"er, it would be better off in a 150+. I just think that there are better choices for this size tank than a buttikoferi. I'm not the tank size police, I usually lean in the opposite direction towards "it'll be okay, it's only a little small", but that is more appropriate when people already have the fish. Since he has an empty tank, I think it makes more sense to advise him to get fish that would thrive, and not be "pushing it".

 

[kewpiefishypewpie]

I really think your pulling for straws. Where did you see the 17 inch Oscar? Not trying to be a jerk but IMHO it appears to me you are throwing out random numbers, I mean is it possible for some special Oscar to reach 17 inches? Yeah maybe I guess, but the way you post makes it seems like these fish (like the 17 inch Oscar) get that big on average.

To the OP, sorry to hijack your thread was just trying to help. If you want whisper me and I can show you pics of some of my tanks and fish. I can even get you in contact with Rapps if you need clarification on tank size compared to fish.

I'd love to know Rapps' opinion on the subject. Not being a smart ass either you can PM me if you want.

 

[Maritimer]

My ph looks to be betwee 6 and 6.5 , I was looking at rapps website but not sure about bringing them across the border, I am only a twenty minute drive from the border and am over there lots but never asked about bringing live fish back