Opinions on Tank Dimensions

[cchhcc]

I don't see much difference between the two tanks, but the bigger the better. Personally, I wouldn't expect to keep a fully grown pair in less than a 125. They'll still do their business in a 75 (or a 55 for that matter), but I feel better about the larger tank for a lot of reasons, one of which is the ability to keep some other fish as targets/dithers.

On another note, I have to differ with your comment that we don't see natural behavior in "any" aquarium. Certainly the tanks have to be much large than most people would be able to provide, but medium sized cichlids kept in several hundred gallons of water exhibit much different behavior that those kept in much smaller tanks. In fact, my goal in fishkeeping it to attempt to stimulate as much "natural behavior" as possible (the definition of natural behavior is, granted, up for interpretation).

As a start toward a more natural setting, a tank needs to be larger than the average size of the wild breeding territory of a given species. For Archocentrus or Cryptoheros that may be just a couple of square feet, but for your Amphilophus it may require double (or triple) that. So, unless you are heading toward a much larger tank, you are accepting a certain level of compromise with your labs. That doesn't mean you can't keep them plenty healthy though.

Any pics of your labs? Would love to see them!

 

[honda237]

well i felt bad with my 6" red devil in a 55g, so i moved him to a 125g all by himself. It seems like it would be to small, but you never know until you. Did you ever have any problems with aggression when moving them from tank to tank? The smaller tank would be a little harder to up keep, but you know all about that since you do have a fish room and an arrowana in a fish bowl jk.

 

[ceeej31]

there was a chance they might have worked in the 30x30 but if they are already doing well in the 48x18, why risk it? don't fix it if it isn't broken, imo

 

[Bderick67]

Amen!

Finally, someone other than me gets your blood boil, Brian! Honestly, all I can say is you gotta try it to find out whether it works or not. Just keep the 75-gal, in case thing doesn't go well with the new tank. I've learned from a very wise member here that you can't give (or take) advice to (or from) anyone, since thing may work in one tank, but may not work in another tank... They're fish, and each of them behave differently!

LOL Thanks, ya usually we disagree on everything or find a way to argue even that which we agree upon

yea 2 big black angels and i put them in a 50 breeder and they did fine, picked on each other once in a while, id say the male was around 8 inches high and the female around 6, still 2 pretty decent sized fish....


and yea 24 by 9 thats a pool, but thats what i'm saying the bigger the tank the better. i'm not saying throw them in a pool but you shouldnt be going lower then the 75

Don't think most would consider angels as large sa/ca cichlids, but better then the tetras. Yes bigger is better, but why did not you provide a bigger/better tank for the angels? Yes there are always reasons aren't there?

Hey ahh. i think you better check this guys old threads out before you go someone! I dont know him but the guy takes care of his fish.talking without investigating only makes us look foolish.Also ithink he was just looking for opinions becouse he does care for the fish.ya know simple input.

Thanks, and yes I was mainly looking for opinions or better yet experience with similar sized tanks.

well i felt bad with my 6" red devil in a 55g, so i moved him to a 125g all by himself. It seems like it would be to small, but you never know until you. Did you ever have any problems with aggression when moving them from tank to tank? The smaller tank would be a little harder to up keep, but you know all about that since you do have a fish room and an arrowana in a fish bowl jk.

Basically no I've never really had any aggression problems between the two RDs. There has been a couple times where a batch of eggs went bad. She would then have to spend a few days in hiding within the cave regaining her strength.

there was a chance they might have worked in the 30x30 but if they are already doing well in the 48x18, why risk it? don't fix it if it isn't broken, imo

Personally I believe they would have been fine in the 30x30. Unfortunately $340 is way to much for me to spend on a tank that size. The two 75g tanks I have will be giving way for a 240g tank and I really don't have/want them anywhere else in the house. Most likely the RDs will go back into a community type setting in either the 60x18x27" or 72x18x22". They usually won't spawn with other fish in the tank, if they do I may just have to separate them.

 

[Bderick67]

On another note, I have to differ with your comment that we don't see natural behavior in "any" aquarium. Certainly the tanks have to be much large than most people would be able to provide, but medium sized cichlids kept in several hundred gallons of water exhibit much different behavior that those kept in much smaller tanks. In fact, my goal in fishkeeping it to attempt to stimulate as much "natural behavior" as possible (the definition of natural behavior is, granted, up for interpretation).

As a start toward a more natural setting, a tank needs to be larger than the average size of the wild breeding territory of a given species. For Archocentrus or Cryptoheros that may be just a couple of square feet, but for your Amphilophus it may require double (or triple) that. So, unless you are heading toward a much larger tank, you are accepting a certain level of compromise with your labs. That doesn't mean you can't keep them plenty healthy though.

Any pics of your labs? Would love to see them!

Not sure were you got the impression I said "any aquarium" I believe my reference was to "a small glass box". Also the discussion revolves around a 12" RD pair and providing them with a bit larger tank will not change there behavior to "natural".

As for aquarium kept fish in general, as long as the human factor is present natural behavior will be suppressed. In the wild fish spend their lives trying to survive and occasionally reproduce. Once we place these fish in our care, they no longer have to survive. Any natural behavior that would've been exhibited, will not be seen. There is nothing natural about the fish shooting to the top of the tank to be fed whenever you near the tank. IMO even placing into a larger tank, within reason, will not change this.

I will work on current pics.

 

[FSM]

It seems to me that you already had your answer before making this thread.

 

[Bderick67]

It seems to me that you already had your answer before making this thread.

No, I had my opinion. I wanted the opinions and/or experiences of others. Do you have an opinion?

 

[cchhcc]

Not sure were you got the impression I said "any aquarium" I believe my reference was to "a small glass box". Also the discussion revolves around a 12" RD pair and providing them with a bit larger tank will not change there behavior to "natural".

As for aquarium kept fish in general, as long as the human factor is present natural behavior will be suppressed. In the wild fish spend their lives trying to survive and occasionally reproduce. Once we place these fish in our care, they no longer have to survive. Any natural behavior that would've been exhibited, will not be seen. There is nothing natural about the fish shooting to the top of the tank to be fed whenever you near the tank. IMO even placing into a larger tank, within reason, will not change this.

I will work on current pics.

With respect, why would you ask for opinions if you aren't going to consider them? it seems as though you want people to confirm your current situation rather than to offer what may be a different way of looking at the situation.

If you had the opportunity to watch my tank for a while, you'd see efforts to survive predation, reproduce, graze inverts and micro-organisms from algae, as well as a variety of social interaction. We can clearly never quite have a truly natural setting, but we can come much closer than it seems you want to consider. That we can't mirror nature doesn't disqualify the benefits of making our best efforts to do so.

Regardless, I'm more interested in seeing your labs themselves than their tank! I always love to see wild specimens of that species -- each one is unique!

 

[Bderick67]

With respect, why would you ask for opinions if you aren't going to consider them? it seems as though you want people to confirm your current situation rather than to offer what may be a different way of looking at the situation.

If you had the opportunity to watch my tank for a while, you'd see efforts to survive predation, reproduce, graze inverts and micro-organisms from algae, as well as a variety of social interaction. We can clearly never quite have a truly natural setting, but we can come much closer than it seems you want to consider. That we can't mirror nature doesn't disqualify the benefits of making our best efforts to do so.

Regardless, I'm more interested in seeing your labs themselves than their tank! I always love to see wild specimens of that species -- each one is unique!

What makes you think I am not considering the opinions on the original question I asked? Maybe there is a possibility that my opinion is within the majority of those who actually gave their opinion on what I originally asked.

 

[cchhcc]

What makes you think I am not considering the opinions on the original question I asked? Maybe there is a possibility that my opinion is within the majority of those who actually gave their opinion on what I originally asked.

I think that based on 12 of your 13 responses to the feedback of others.

My opinion was I didn't see much difference between the two tanks. Is that yours too?