I've decided to try getting another larger fish to go with my 8" Mbu. I've found multiple accounts from owners and articles stating that Mbus will work with larger tankmates so I wanna take a shot at it even though it's commonly seen as a bad idea. He has taken the head off a couple of cory cats (Slow ground dwellers) and took a swipe at a black kuhli (Ground dwelling and worm-like) but pays the flagfish in his tank no mind. They actually pick food out of his mouth while he eats. He also has a fire eel in the tank that has grown succesfully and bite free. The question now is what to try him with. He's in a 75g growout at the moment which will eventually lead to a 300 or 400g later on. Any ideas? I need something that won't bother another him any more than he will it. I've thought about a silver arro, an ATF, Payara, Gar, or a large cichlid. Any suggestions would be helpful. Thanks,
Tankmates
- Thread starter Aribenlaw
- Start date
i would get some payara, i love them but i dont know about the compatibility. i have them with alot of fish and dont have any problems
I've seen them in the shop but they tend to just stay in one place. Is that true of your payaras?
I'm suprised there haven't been more responses. The 'what should I put in a tank' threads are usually jumping.
pretty much you can put whatever you like in with a mbu usually but all depends on personality. i've kept a big mbu with everything from channa auranti, to dats, to big cats, to polys to cichlids ranging from big bocourti to little rainbows and rams. never seen a slight bit of interest in any other fish.
I figured I had a pretty open slate to work with. I just wanted to make sure there wasn't a fish that viewed a large brown and black orb with fins as food.
I haven't had any long term luck keeping payara with other frish. They are often out-competed when it comes to be feeding time.
Don't get me wrong if you REALLY WANT it to work it will, but not as well as keeping them by themselves.
I don't know much about MBUs, but if they are anything like Fahakas when they eat I would suggest something a little more aggressive at feeding time.
I'de say dats but finding a bigger one isn't always easy.
I'de definetly try cheap fish first then get some nicer ones IF that works.
Don't get me wrong if you REALLY WANT it to work it will, but not as well as keeping them by themselves.
I don't know much about MBUs, but if they are anything like Fahakas when they eat I would suggest something a little more aggressive at feeding time.
I'de say dats but finding a bigger one isn't always easy.
I'de definetly try cheap fish first then get some nicer ones IF that works.
DB junkie;854964; said:
Mbus are a lot calmer than fahakas. It has a lot to do with individual temperment, but my guy's a marshmallow. I think I'm gonna rule out the payara. I don't think the fast current needs would work for the Mbu and I'v e heard a lot of mixed press on keeping them. Cool fish though. I've got some baby Indo dats on order but they'll be a few years yet on size. Maybe I'll just have to head to the lfs and see what I come away with.
My mbu swims with a trio of bala sharks. Pretty fast fish. They are also cheap if they end up being food for your mbu. It's sort of like a feeding frenzy when it's time for the puffer to eat. The bala just swarm around him and pick up excess particles in the water.
It also sounds like crenicichlas would be excellent additions as well. Good luck!
It also sounds like crenicichlas would be excellent additions as well. Good luck!