Severum advice
- Thread starter Mike_G
- Start date
Kept rotkeils for probably 15 years, much of the time with groups of congo tetras in the tank, which are nice in their own right. Would expect any tetras of similar size to be fine with rotkeils (or most tank bred green or gold severums). Other complementary fish that could work in a 75 could include some smaller geos, if you wanted to go that way, a medium growing fancy pleco, though these may tend to stay out of sight much of the time (depending on tank decor), or you could add one or a few smaller cichlids (depending on their size and temperament), which could include angelfish, medium to smaller acara types, and others.
Filtration is a matter of personal preference and opinion, there's a number of ways to approach it and not one single right or wrong answer. But something to know is when it comes to beneficial bacteria, it doesn't matter how many or how big your filters are, the beneficial bacteria colony will only be whatever size is supported by your particular tank, in terms of its nutrients, bio-load (total of fish, how much you feed, etc.) and overall balance. You can have ten filters on the tank, it won't increase the beneficial bacteria beyond whatever is actually supported by your particular tank and fish.
...In other words, add as many filters as makes you happy, but you don't really need them if you know how to run and maintain the AC 110-- or a number of other filters approaching their capacity. Not saying this to argue, just something not everyone knows.
Filtration is a matter of personal preference and opinion, there's a number of ways to approach it and not one single right or wrong answer. But something to know is when it comes to beneficial bacteria, it doesn't matter how many or how big your filters are, the beneficial bacteria colony will only be whatever size is supported by your particular tank, in terms of its nutrients, bio-load (total of fish, how much you feed, etc.) and overall balance. You can have ten filters on the tank, it won't increase the beneficial bacteria beyond whatever is actually supported by your particular tank and fish.
...In other words, add as many filters as makes you happy, but you don't really need them if you know how to run and maintain the AC 110-- or a number of other filters approaching their capacity. Not saying this to argue, just something not everyone knows.
Picked up the tank today. I'll fill it and begin cycling this coming week after we've picked up substrate and a few other things. My wife really wants live plants, so we'll at least give them a shot -- I'm thinking Java Fern, Anubia, and Amazon Sword (with rocks to protect the base on those Swords). Are there any other plants that might stand a chance?
No final decision on tank mates, but I really like the idea of 8 or so Congo Tetras with a smaller species pleco or two as bottom feeders. I like angels but not crazy about angel conspecific drama if I happen to pick two males.
I do have one question on fish selection. He currently has two juvenile rotkeils in there. One is clearly the dominant one. He's bigger and better filled out and spent most of the time keeping the other one hugging one side of the tank (when he wasn't coming up to the glass and looking and giving my daughter and me the eye). They were in there with a bunch of small angels. The bigger one didn't chase them, but they definitely gave him a wide berth. In a community setting, is the dominant type the better choice or is the sub? Thanks. You've all been very helpful so far.
No final decision on tank mates, but I really like the idea of 8 or so Congo Tetras with a smaller species pleco or two as bottom feeders. I like angels but not crazy about angel conspecific drama if I happen to pick two males.
I do have one question on fish selection. He currently has two juvenile rotkeils in there. One is clearly the dominant one. He's bigger and better filled out and spent most of the time keeping the other one hugging one side of the tank (when he wasn't coming up to the glass and looking and giving my daughter and me the eye). They were in there with a bunch of small angels. The bigger one didn't chase them, but they definitely gave him a wide berth. In a community setting, is the dominant type the better choice or is the sub? Thanks. You've all been very helpful so far.
It shouldn't matter as the dominant one can easily be subordinate if it was with a bigger fish than it. The two are probably siblings so the larger one is a stronger more dominant fish and thus healthier with more gusto. I'd take the larger one or wait for a group to come into your LFS and pick up a small group.
To me, the scenario potentially sounds like this-- I'm guessing at a fish store they're in a fairly small tank. The smaller one staying at the other end of the tank, angels staying out of his way, could be evidence the larger one is grumpy when someone isn't right in front of the tank to distract him. Ime severums tend to be better behaved when they're not crowded into a small tank, meaning even if the larger one is grumpy now, I'd figure him to relax in your 75. So,for me I wouldn't hesitate either way as far as whichever you prefer.
As an example how it can go with severums, I got a wild rotkeil over 15 years ago, before they were as common as now. They had him in something like a 20 gal tank and he was killing everything they tried to put in with him. Took him home, put him in a 75, and from that day on he got along just fine with the variety of combinations I had with him over the 13 years I had him (which also meant he lived 15 years or more, being that he was full grown when I got him, so at least two years old by then). Turned out he was only a 'killer' because he was in too small a tank.
As an example how it can go with severums, I got a wild rotkeil over 15 years ago, before they were as common as now. They had him in something like a 20 gal tank and he was killing everything they tried to put in with him. Took him home, put him in a 75, and from that day on he got along just fine with the variety of combinations I had with him over the 13 years I had him (which also meant he lived 15 years or more, being that he was full grown when I got him, so at least two years old by then). Turned out he was only a 'killer' because he was in too small a tank.
Thanks. Similar to the alpha vs runt with a litter of puppies I guess. Both were interested in us, but the dominant would never let the other one to the front of the tank. We'll see who's available in a month or so. I'd be happy with either one. It's nice to see them so engaged with people (as were the angels...I'm finding that I really like SA cichlids).
I noticed that the dominant's stripes have already faded except for the last one at his tail. The other still had that typical juvie grayish white color with all stripes still visible. From what I've seen it's pretty much impossible to determine coloring at the baby/juvenile stage. True?
We made another trip to that store on an unrelated matter. It was my wife's first visit, and she fell in love with the Electric Blue Acaras. So the Rotkeil will be sharing center stage with an EBA I guess. I'm not nuts about their coloring, but I am impressed with the adult finnage and body shape.
Any problems with a Rotkeil, one EBA, eight (or so) Congos or Diamond Tetras, and a couple of Bristlenose Plecos? Could a single Angelfish also fit in that mix?
I noticed that the dominant's stripes have already faded except for the last one at his tail. The other still had that typical juvie grayish white color with all stripes still visible. From what I've seen it's pretty much impossible to determine coloring at the baby/juvenile stage. True?
We made another trip to that store on an unrelated matter. It was my wife's first visit, and she fell in love with the Electric Blue Acaras. So the Rotkeil will be sharing center stage with an EBA I guess. I'm not nuts about their coloring, but I am impressed with the adult finnage and body shape.
Any problems with a Rotkeil, one EBA, eight (or so) Congos or Diamond Tetras, and a couple of Bristlenose Plecos? Could a single Angelfish also fit in that mix?
Severum don't lose their bars with age or dominance. They are referred to as stress bars, you may only see them if you chase the fish around with a net. Taking the dominant one will give you a male (most likely) and will be much more colorful than any female. Coloring will be dependant on parents, males more color than females almost always. If you want to be certain they are rotkiel you can use the stress bars as an indicator. Most rotkiel will have 8 of those vertical bars, pics will help guarantee identification.
Interesting...thanks. One thing I thought about was having the dominant removed from the tank to see how each would react. I'm beginning to believe that I'm waaaay overthinking this.
All those fish should be fine,assuming u keep up with water changes,u could also add freshwater mussels to the tank
Overthinking a bit, but better than the underthinkers we have to help clean up after.
