Red Tiger Mota?

[florencejr11]

I have a 80 long grow out.. with a Venezuelan pike, Midas, and a Red tiger mota and within the next couple of days I’m planning on a school of red hooks. My question with Red tigers are these guys active? Mines hides all day in a cave. My Midas has already caught up in size 3” and I can tell its getting bulkier. My Midas and pike come up to the tank when it’s feeding time while the Red tiger hides. Will a group of red hooks make him feel more comfortable? Or is that just the personality of RTMs ?

 

[coltiger1975]

In my experience I find parachromis to be a shy fish at first. My Dovii took a while to get comfortable before coming out to greet me. Of all Jaguars I've had only the one was at the glass on day one. Only RTM I've had were a bonded pair and the male was comfortable and the female hid for about a month.I put that down to the male being aggressive in pursuit of mating. I suspect your Midas could be intimidating the RTM.

On a side note I wouldn't house them in that size of tank for too long, I would think the Midas will take over and kill your other two cichlids. Adding dither fish may help short term. Long term you might end up with just the Midas and if lucky some of the sd's

 

[florencejr11]

In my experience I find parachromis to be a shy fish at first. My Dovii took a while to get comfortable before coming out to greet me. Of all Jaguars I've had only the one was at the glass on day one. Only RTM I've had were a bonded pair and the male was comfortable and the female hid for about a month.I put that down to the male being aggressive in pursuit of mating. I suspect your Midas could be intimidating the RTM.

On a side note I wouldn't house them in that size of tank for too long, I would think the Midas will take over and kill your other two cichlids. Adding dither fish may help short term. Long term you might end up with just the Midas and if lucky some of the sd's

Definitely not a long term tank. Just a grow out. The RTM is by far tank boss it just doesn’t come out the cave and is skittish. Everything I’ve read says that they’re like this. Thanks for the feed back.

 

[duanes]

I agree with the above, as juvies, under 5" they are instinctually shy, because when small they are primary prey for fish eating birds, even those birds as small as kingfishers themselves. This instinct is not erased just because the are in a tank, and in nature most don't make it passed 3 ".

As adults, and when males hit the 10"-12" mark, they are less fearsome, become much bolder, and canl become quite aggressive to the point of needing a 6 ft tank all to themselvres. They are usually only open in nature when guarding a swarm of fry, and may patrol a riverine mile of territory
That said, they are lurk and strike predators, that sit in caves and holes until prey swims by, then striking out and returning to safety of their holes..