Some Advice Needed Urgently

[davion2183]

Hey guys, need your advice urgently. I have a 165 gallon mixed African Cichlid Tank and when i meant by mixed is peacocks and haps, and 1-2 mbuna.

Now when i first bought them, some are already in the 4-5" range and someare in the 1-2" range. Now a friend of mine who is looking to change his tank inhabitants gave me a gorgeous 5" male venustus. I wanted to put em in my tank, but i am worried he will gobble up the smaller fish.

My question is that do i take the risk and put him in right now,or should i move the 1-2" fish into my 35 gallon which serves as my planted shelldwelker tank and grow em out there?

Hope to hear your views and advice regarding this matter. Thanks.

 

[RD.]

If they will fit in the venustus mouth, chances are it will try and eat them. It's really that simple.

 

[LilBabyEmma]

I've had 1" fish in the tank with 6" fish and they become friends it all depends really how the fish is raised I add small fish into my tank all the time and nothing happons a little chasing. But I have never fed my fish live foods or anytjinf


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[RD.]

And do you keep predatory species, such as N. venustus?

I've kept a lot of Africans, over a lot of years, and I have never kept a Nimbochromis of any species that would not kill & eat a fish small enough to easily fit in its mouth. There's no such thing as a friendly predator.

 

[LilBabyEmma]

I have a 3 inch one in my tank right now with a 1 1/2" albino peacock and he doesn't even look that way


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[Lgw]

If the opportunity arises a predator will eat what it can. Whether it be now or in 4 years time, there's always a risk.

 

[neutrino]

And do you keep predatory species, such as N. venustus?

I've kept a lot of Africans, over a lot of years, and I have never kept a Nimbochromis of any species that would not kill & eat a fish small enough to easily fit in its mouth. There's no such thing as a friendly predator.

+1.

3" venustus with 1.5" fish (half its size) is one thing, but you can't compare that to keeping a 5" venustus with 1-2 inch fish. Not the best odds for the little guys. Especially in a large enough tank a lot of predator haps (which venustus are) won't bother fish with enough size and may not seem that aggressive, but that doesn't necessarily change their behavior toward snack sized fish.