Setting up new 75 Gallon Tank - Need help on stocking (Caribe vs. Elong)

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J

jrance4585

Candiru
MFK Member
Nov 19, 2011
140
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nj
So i am currently cycling a 75 gallon tank (running an FX-6 and some powerheads so plenty of circulation / filtration).

Want to do a piranha tank (would be my first time keeping piranhas). My original thought was to get a small shoal of 1-2" caribe (understanding that eventually i'd need a bigger tank, already have a 125 gallon i can use later). But as i did research, i started to really like elongs. Like the look of the fish and the aggression, and would probably last longer in the 75 gallon.

So question is, would i get bored with 1 Elong? I'm used to having cichla, which are really active and colorful, so i'm worried a single fish in a tank may get old quick, vs a shoal of more colorful caribe. Am i better off going with a small shoal or a solitary piranha??

Anyone with experience / advice welcome!

Thanks,
J
 
My opinion is it would get very boring real quick. Most people use cichlids as wet pets because they are colorful and personable. Piranhas are neither.

I also just noticed you are in NYC Piranhas are illegal there anyways.
 
Rivers2k said:
My opinion is it would get very boring real quick. Most people use cichlids as wet pets because they are colorful and personable. Piranhas are neither.

I also just noticed you are in NYC Piranhas are illegal there anyways.
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Yeah, def aware that piranha will certainly be a big change from peacock bass. But relative to a small shoal of caribe, how do people feel about 1 elong?
 
some ppl like elong some not so much, it's really up to you on which fish you like. if you are looking for a bit more color then you might want to consider other species of piranha, manueli would be a good one, as it matures it'll get more and more red on the gill plate area.
a small shoal of cariba is nice too, nothing beats a feeding frenzy but as they mature the color will slowly fade away, it'll take some years but eventually they won't have much red left but while they do they are really nice looking too.
 
I have never had Caribe, but I have had an elong.
I had the elong for about a year, and sold it to a friend so I could buy a different serra.

Many serra species tend to stay in one area and wait for prey to swim by, as they are ambush predators. However, the elong I had would NEVER, I mean NEVER come out of hiding. If you are looking for a piranha species that chases your finger, or interacts with you, chances are seldom as it really depends on the individual fish.

If I were you, I would go with a shoal of caribes.
 
Thanks all for the input. Went to a few stores this weekend and found a great 5" elong for a great price. Just like the look of the fish more than the caribe, even though I can only get 1. Picking him up next weekend once my tank is done cycling. Will post pics then and update on how it goes.

Here are a few pics i took at the store. Let me know what you think.

photo 3.JPGphoto 2.JPGphoto 1.JPG

J

photo 3.JPG

photo 2.JPG

photo 1.JPG
 
Nice looking elong. I hope you enjoy it!!
 
yes, it's the Australian variety. The tank he is going into is upside down though, so he will look right side up when i get him. Tank cycle.jpg

Tank cycle.jpg
 
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