Tankmate help!

[BIG-G]

If the tank was bigger you could try introducing the two with a divider.
A 55 isn’t quit big enough.
The more room the less chances of the two having a problem.
To try and pair them I would recommend a 125 six foot tank as a minimum

 

[zimaage]

If the tank was bigger you could try introducing the two with a divider.
A 55 isn’t quit big enough.
The more room the less chances of the two having a problem.
To try and pair them I would recommend a 125 six foot tank as a minimum

So then it would be a no-go to try to put them in together? my only concern with moving the convict is when the GT and the Green texas start to get a lot bigger. Out of curiosity why do you think that the 55 inst big enough for the divider?

 

[BIG-G]

So then it would be a no-go to try to put them in together? my only concern with moving the convict is when the GT and the Green texas start to get a lot bigger. Out of curiosity why do you think that the 55 inst big enough for the divider?

The tank just isn’t big enough for the two fish imo.
You can divide it.
That only gives the individual fish a very small area.
24”x14 foot print for a fish that can hit 12 plus inches.
Not enough IMO.

 

[zimaage]

The tank just isn’t big enough for the two fish imo.
You can divide it.
That only gives the individual fish a very small area.
24”x14 foot print for a fish that can hit 12 plus inches.
Not enough IMO.

Ahh okay makes sense. I appreciate the advice. I know that the red texas is really aggressive by nature, but is there any way to dilute the aggression, he never really had any problem with the catfish and it seems as if lately he's really been going after that as well!

It seems as if just recently he has gotten so much more aggressive than hes ever been.

 

[BIG-G]

Typical for these fish.
That’s why most flowerhorn and hybrid fish are kept solo.

 

[Backfromthedead]

Like BIG-G said, the tank size is the big limitation. With something like a 125 or comparable 6' tank, you might have a chance for them to cooperate, but the 55 is just not roomy enough for their displays, chasing, demonstrating...just end up in one getting cornered and beat down relentlessly.

If you had the bigger tank, theres a number of tricks to try such as dividers, hiding spots, breaking up sight lines, introducing excess flow....ive had some success using pumps and powerheads when introducing large cichlids, to generate a strong current, effectively busying the fish swimming instead of fighting.

 

[zimaage]

Like BIG-G said, the tank size is the big limitation. With something like a 125 or comparable 6' tank, you might have a chance for them to cooperate, but the 55 is just not roomy enough for their displays, chasing, demonstrating...just end up in one getting cornered and beat down relentlessly.

If you had the bigger tank, theres a number of tricks to try such as dividers, hiding spots, breaking up sight lines, introducing excess flow....ive had some success using pumps and powerheads when introducing large cichlids, to generate a strong current, effectively busying the fish swimming instead of fighting.

I wish at the time when I started that I wold have known what I know now, as i would have went straight for the 125. At the time it seemed like the 55 was HUGE but in reality now it seems so small. I guess at some point or another i would like to get a bigger tank but I'm trying to work with what I have.

Any other suggestions as to what I can do with the resources that I have now?

 

[zimaage]

Typical for these fish.
That’s why most flowerhorn and hybrid fish are kept solo.

As a side note, Is there a second type of dither fish that you think I could add in with my giant danios?

 

[Niki_up]

As a side note, Is there a second type of dither fish that you think I could add in with my giant danios?

Honestly you’ve been given some good advice about your fish not being compatible with each other or your tank sizes. I think you should reconsider your current stocking maybe choosing one of your fav fish that you currently own and trying to raise it in a 55 alone...maybe you will find that the fish actually needs a bigger tank and you will upgrade or maybe even re-home that fish as well.

you nice you’ve re homes your other fish then with your other 55g tank do some research and stock it according.

i don’t think you should be considering adding more fish to your currently overstocked tanks that you are having aggression problems in. IMHO

 

[duanes]

The main reason for aggression between fish, is that the tank is too small.
I agree with BIG-G, your 55 gal, compared to the amount of space any cichlid would live in, in nature, is barely a puddle, its not big enough for even one 5.5" individual alone, much less an 8" one, a 5.5"cichlid is as large a cichlid as the tank should hold.
But it doesn't matter what any human perceives, or the books says, that may be ample space, if the fish don't perceive it as enough space, they will attack one another.
So adding more fish, will probably just make aggression worse.
Below a video of the space cichlids have available to live in, in nature.
Azul imovie edit