PBass and other cichlids...

[Balookis]

I posted this on the CA/SA forum earlier but I figured I may get more responses here since it relates in part to keeping Peacock Bass. Thanks for any input!


Community CA/SA Setup...
Hey everyone. I have several questions relating to the keeping of these cichlids, so thanks in advance for the help.

I am looking to upgrade my current setup to something in the 400-500 gallon range. I'm keeping an eye out for good deals. I posted before about some juveniles I was stocking in a 90 gal., and so far they are all doing great, but they won't last there for long. Here is what I have now:

1x male RTM
1x female Festae
1x male (I think) Trimac
1x Black Belt (not sure of sex yet)
1x Carpintis Escondido (not sure of sex yet)
1x Umbee (not sure of sex yet)
1x Gold Nugget Pleco

All of the above fish were purchased from Rapps in July. All are doing great and looking great.

Also:

1x Texas Cichlid (not sure of sex yet)
1x female Salvini
2x Feather Fin Catfish
3x Managuense

Those fish came from a LFS. I am planning to keep only one of the Jags long term...just waiting to see which one turns out the best. All fish in the tank are currently in the 3-3.5 in. range.

When I upgrade to the Monster Tank in the next month or so, I would like to add a couple of P-Bass or possibly a few other cichlids. I know that seems like a lot of fish in one tank, but 500 gallons is a big ass tank, lol!

So, my questions:

1. Will a tank that large support those fish and two or three P-Bass for life?

2. How about 1 male Dovii and couple of other CA/SA cihlids instead of the bass?

3. Most of the used systems I am finding for sale are coming with protein skimmers and UV sterilizers. I know this stuff is used a lot by reefers, but does it help at all on freshwater tanks full of predators? I have a UV sterilizer on my 90 now (came with it), but I don't really know if it is helping or not. I don't have any problems so...

4. Same question about refugiums...any benefit on a freshwater system?

5. Do powerheads in the tank to circulate water help to move the waste to the overflow? Will the extra current be a problem for the cichlids?

6. Feel free to offer any extra bits of advice...I've never had a monster tank full of monster fish, so I am all ears, lol.

Thanks!

 

[Rebel Souljah]

[
Suggestion 1...you could send me your gold nugget cause he'll get eaten up if not now eventually....and 2 you kinda gotta decide...cause CA/SA don't grow at the same rate pbass do esp tems...some of your ca/sa might come up missing...but yeah they all should fit fin in a 500gal tank...then nature will end up taking its course...and of course the PBass will be on the top of the food chain

 

[Balookis]

I was kinda thinking that already about the Gold Nugget. I'll leave him in the 90 when I move the others.

Should I start with PBass that are a couple of inches smaller than the cichlids? Will this allow time for the cichlids to get large enough to avoid being eaten? How fast do the bass grow compared to the others?

 

[bOOsteN aUdI]

cichla grow super fast and i think eventually most fish on your list will become food. also very small cichla can be very touchy and need a temp of about 87+ degrees. do you think your other fish can handle the high temp?

 

[silverdragon]

wow, thats like an all you can eat buffet for Cichla! Wel dude its a cool stocklist, but like everyone mentioned the Cichlas are going to own you rtank when they grow..

 

[bOOsteN aUdI]

i use a u.v. it helps kill some parasites and if you keep your lights on long it will prevent green water.

a skimmer does nothing for fresh water, but power head will add water circulation and extra oxygen which is extremely good. i dont know if it is bad for cichlids but my cichla dont mind the current.. my orinos chyll in it all the time.

a refugium might help since plants absorb nitrates which they basically feed off of fish waist.. in saltwater they absorb nitrates and phosphates so i dont see why they would just absorb the nitrates in freshwater. if you want you could just let java moss take over the bottom of your tank with some drift wood.. java moss is easy to keep and will soak up some nitrates if there is enough, you just have to make sure you keep it trimmed.

my advise to you is a 500 gallon all cichla display tank would be gnarley and you wouldnt want any other fish ever again

 

[Rebel Souljah]

my advise to you is a 500 gallon all cichla display tank would be gnarley and you wouldnt want any other fish ever again

I can co-sign for that

 

[bOOsteN aUdI]

I can co-sign for that

lol come on!? what do you expect posting in the cichla forum... we are all fanatics about one thing! CICHLA!

 

[silverdragon]

my advise to you is a 500 gallon all cichla display tank would be gnarley and you wouldnt want any other fish ever again

^^ Ill double co-sign that lol

 

[Balookis]

Hmmm....based on what I am getting from both forums it sounds like the Pbass will either get beat when they are smaller or eat the other fish when they are bigger. Has anyone here actually tried this type of stocking or is it just opinion of what is likely? Just curious...

Assuming I did an all Cichla dispaly in a tank that size, how many could I keep for life in there? I would probably be stocking Orinos.

Another question: Are PBass in general more difficult to keep (and keep alive) than the other cichlids?