Starting a Trimac Tank

[dk66gt]

Hey guys,

I've been doing a lot of reading and would like to keep a Trimac as a wet pet. I plan on buying 7 from Rapps or Fishfarm by the end of this month, grow them out and keep the nicest male. Here are my questions:

1. I already have a 75g (standard dims) collecting dust and would like to use it. Would it give one male Trimac enough room?

2. At what size do you think I would be able to tell which one is a keeper? I'd like to norrow it down as soon as possible to reduce any stress/fighting.

3. Would he tolerate any tankmates if they grow up together? I know it depends on the fish. I only ask since I wanted to use YOYO loaches and BN Plecos for cleanup. Any other suggestions would be appreciated.

4. Any difference in buying Trimacs from Rapps or Fishfarm? I'm leaning towards Rapps since he's local and they're a bit bigger. His are $7.50ea @ 2-2 1/2", and Fishfarm has them on Aquabid @ 1" for $5.00ea. Any feedback?

5. I feed NLS to all my fish. What do you feed your Trimacs?

I think that's it for now

Thanks

 

[DarthV]

1. In 5+ years, he might be cramped in a 75g. My midas would appreciate a larger home. He's 13-14" @ 5 years old. Make sure that unused tank gets cycled or has established filter media before buying fish!

2. I'd just take the one that grows the fastest or the one who seems the most outgoing. Not quite sure how to sex trimacs though. There really isn't much you can do to stop the fighting, it's just going to happen. At 2-2.5", the dominant fish will pack on size like you wouldn't believe. Expect close to an inch a month after it hits 3-4" until it hits 8-9" or more.

3. When they get larger, they will be destructive to anything in the tank. So you may end up having to strip a lot of the more tank glass damaging items out of the tank. Which will mean less hiding spots for loaches or plecos. The only adult male trimac I've seen in person was just as psychotic as my midas. My midas had a habit of smashing anything in the tank against the glass. Now he's basically in a bare gravel covered tank. Maybe you'll have better luck

4. I'd probably just order them from Jeff. More for shipping costs and size. Both guys are well spoken of.

5. Feed them a wide variety of foods. Fresh shrimp, earthworms etc as supplements to a staple pellet. I use different foods from Ken's Fish with all my fish. His cichlid pellet is the main staple food, with Hikari Cichlid Gold are the usuals. NLS is another high quality food, but it will hurt your wallet when the beast gets large!

 

[balton777]

Hey guys,

I've been doing a lot of reading and would like to keep a Trimac as a wet pet. I plan on buying 7 from Rapps or Fishfarm by the end of this month, grow them out and keep the nicest male. Here are my questions:

1. I already have a 75g (standard dims) collecting dust and would like to use it. Would it give one male Trimac enough room?

2. At what size do you think I would be able to tell which one is a keeper? I'd like to norrow it down as soon as possible to reduce any stress/fighting.

3. Would he tolerate any tankmates if they grow up together? I know it depends on the fish. I only ask since I wanted to use YOYO loaches and BN Plecos for cleanup. Any other suggestions would be appreciated.

4. Any difference in buying Trimacs from Rapps or Fishfarm? I'm leaning towards Rapps since he's local and they're a bit bigger. His are $7.50ea @ 2-2 1/2", and Fishfarm has them on Aquabid @ 1" for $5.00ea. Any feedback?

5. I feed NLS to all my fish. What do you feed your Trimacs?

I think that's it for now

Thanks

1. As said after a few years it will be barely adequate but doable.

2. Females have a dark blotch on their dorsal fin. Keep the fastest growing male...they grow very fast.

3. In the beginning you may be able to keep tankmates but in the longrun, it'll most likely be a one fish tank.

4. I've never bought from Fishfarm but he has a good rep. I've never been disappointed with Rapps.

5. I feed NLS to my mine daily and a large variety of other foods as well. The 5lb. NLS tubs are a pretty good value.

 

[dk66gt]

Thanks for the info DarthV.

I was hoping I could keep him in there for 1-2 years max so I should be ok. I've been checking craigslist so hopefully I can find a great deal on a 125g setup sooner than later I already started the cycling process, well kinda. I attached another XP3 to my 72g which will be going on the 75g and also plan on using the old sponge out of my AC110, so I should have a jump start on cycling the 75g.

Yeah, I figured they'd fight a little or a lot. Maybe some dithers to keep them occupied. I generally us tiger barbs which the larger fish usually take care of when the urge arises. Anything a little tougher you've used?

Hopefully he wont end up that psycotic I like a little driftwood and java fern to keep it from looking too plain in there. We'll see.

Yeah, that's what makes it so hard. You hear great things about both guys. I'll most likey stick with Rapps though.

I have to check out Kens, I've heard a lot of great things. The NLS is pricey but not that bad when you buy the 5g pails.

Thanks again!!

 

[dk66gt]

Thanks for the reply balton777, I appreciate it.

That's understandable, at least he'll be ok for 1-2 years.

That's what I've read also and it looks obvious when you see pics of males and females side by side. Cool, I was thinking that keeping the dominant male of the bunch would be my best option. At what size should I be able to be certain it's a male or female?

I figured after sexual maturity a tankmate would be a dream. Any recommendation on some dithers to keep them from fighting too much before I pick which one I'm keeping?

I buy the 5lb tubs also. Where do you get yours? Last one I bought was from Ebay, $45 shippped.

Thanks again!!

 

[Red Tiger]

I keep 12 amps together 3-trimacs, 3-midas, 1-barred midas, 2-g.flowerhorn, 2-flowerhorn, 1-red devil. My biggest trimac is 9 in. My biggest midas is 10 in. Theres chasing but no beat up fish whatsoever. My 2 smallest trimacs come from rapps and are gorgeous. I have pics in my gallery. Males have what I call tufts on their top fin females don't.

 

[fishluvr12]

I have a male from Rapps and was very pleased!

 

[fishluvr12]

Here is a couple pics of mine

 

[killerfish]

tank mates aren't likely in a tank that size as for tank size thats big enough i suppose but bigger is better a male trimacs get around 15'' so an adult would really like a bigger tank i'd go with rapps cichlids that way there MUCH more likely to be trimacs and not flower horns and for growing them out i would pic the one with the best color and has the most personality look for one that comes to the glass to see you first out of all of them and try to decide which one you like fast or they will start killing each other

 

[dk66gt]

I keep 12 amps together 3-trimacs, 3-midas, 1-barred midas, 2-g.flowerhorn, 2-flowerhorn, 1-red devil. My biggest trimac is 9 in. My biggest midas is 10 in. Theres chasing but no beat up fish whatsoever. My 2 smallest trimacs come from rapps and are gorgeous. I have pics in my gallery. Males have what I call tufts on their top fin females don't.

Wow, that's some group in there. Could you post some pics? I couldn't find any in your gallery.