Questions to RTC owners about next purchase

[jaytech33]

I'm about to start building an indoor pond. Either 8 x 6 x 2.5 or 10 x 6 x 2.5.

Either way I'm doing this so I can buy a RTC and be able to properly keep this awsome fish. Now for the questions....

Should I keep a baby RTC in a regular tank at first or can I start him off in the pond? (properly cycled of course)

Any suggestions for "pond mates"?
I was thinking a RTC and TSN, but through all my research here it's hard to find a definitive answer if I can keep them together, what sizes each need to be to co-habitate, etc.......

Allthough I have no problem going though all the time and expense for just a RTC, a tankmate would be nice!




Thanks!

 

[perfect_prefect]

go with the 10x if you have the room. it gives them more swim space plus it adds quite a bit of water volume so when the cat(s) get larger it is easier to keep the levels down. for sure you could keep a tsn with it in the pond. i have an 8x8 that im growing out a rtc, rtc x tsn, tsn, and an id shark for. another great tank mate would be all the free to good home oscars out there. people are always dropping them off at lfs's and if you tell them you have a pond they will prob. give them to you.

 

[HPIZZLE]

go with the 10x if you have the room. it gives them more swim space plus it adds quite a bit of water volume so when the cat(s) get larger it is easier to keep the levels down. for sure you could keep a tsn with it in the pond. i have an 8x8 that im growing out a rtc, rtc x tsn, tsn, and an id shark for. another great tank mate would be all the free to good home oscars out there. people are always dropping them off at lfs's and if you tell them you have a pond they will prob. give them to you.

well said.
i plan on just rescuing them too.

a pond that size you could really to alot. i got a 9x5 going on soon and my RTCs going in. this is just a temp. tank that will prolly have the ray in it l8r with the cats in a 15x10 is my ultimate goal. my stock list is gonna look like
RTC
TSN
RTCxTSN
Marble
thats what it will deff. be cause i already have those fish. now, what i want to add would be
paroon shark
alligator gar(or smaller species, but if i can find one, gater)
RTCxMarble
niger
TSNxNiger.
but the extras would only be once i got the 10x15. also prolly do some rescue O's, pacu and other larger cichlids.

 

[jaytech33]

Thanks for confirming that. I will most likely do a RTC and TSN.

Can I buy both as juveniles and put them in the pond?
Or is better to start them in a smaller tank first?

 

[perfect_prefect]

i would start them in something smaller like a 150 5x2x2 or a 180 6x2x2 something by 2 feet so that when the rtc outgrows the tsn by a long shot (just my current situation) you can hold off on putting the tsn in the pond until it gets a little more size.

 

[Cichla dude]

heres what I think for pond mates:
1. TSN
2. Niger cat or other wise known as ripshaw cats
3. Wallgo Attu
4. Paroon sharks
5. TSNXRTCS
6. Pacus

 

[Dovii dude]

Sounds great,good luck!!