Small growing CA/SA cichlid that won't bother dithers?

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Angler

Polypterus
MFK Member
May 8, 2007
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A little while back, I moved my 10" Argentea to a 75 from a 125. Ever since, he has been holding a grudge by not eating. It has been probably almost 2 months. He ate a little at first, but now I have not seen him eat in a while.

There is a school of 8 Boesmani Rainbows in the tank, which the Argentea pays no mind to. I have thought about adding a small growing cichlid to the tank. My hope is that if I add a little guy with a good appetite, it might spark the Argentea's interest in food again. Will Convicts try and kill the Rainbows? Any other suggestions?

BTW, I have observed the Argentea with small cichlids, and he may chase them away, but he won't try and kill them.
 
I've got a similar thing going on with my argenteas, though the cichlid dithers I'm adding will be to stem aggression rather than stimulate eating (though them eating more wouldn't be a bad thing).

I'm looking at sajica, panamensis, spinosissimus, spilurus or cutteri just out of personal preference.

Pretty much anything from the Archocentrus or Cryptoheros will be a good choice. Some are a bit more delicate and some get a bit larger, but it's a good place to start looking.

Have you fed live foods? I've found my argentea won't feed on pellets when the light is on (in the evening) but they'll both destroy earthworms no matter the time of day.
 
Had the same thing going with my male 8" GT. He was in a 120 with a severum. Strangely, he began to eat very well after I added three more ~8" Viejas...

Cons should be fine. My 3" female doesn't pay any attention to the bleeding hearts.
 
Modest_Man;3264244; said:
I've got a similar thing going on with my argenteas, though the cichlid dithers I'm adding will be to stem aggression rather than stimulate eating (though them eating more wouldn't be a bad thing).

I'm looking at sajica, panamensis, spinosissimus, spilurus or cutteri just out of personal preference.

Pretty much anything from the Archocentrus or Cryptoheros will be a good choice. Some are a bit more delicate and some get a bit larger, but it's a good place to start looking.

Have you fed live foods? I've found my argentea won't feed on pellets when the light is on (in the evening) but they'll both destroy earthworms no matter the time of day.
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I have owned this fish for two years. He always ate pellets just fine in the 125. He would go maybe a day or two showing no interest in pellets, but then he would eat again. He also loved earthworms as well. I have tried an earthworm in the 75, but he ignored it.

Anyways, I went and got a Nicaraguensis. It is about 3 inches right now. You guys think that was a good choice? What kind of growth rate can I expect?
 
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