Temporary Stocking Help Needed - T. argenteus / PTC

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bkfamus

bkfamus

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Oct 17, 2020
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Hi, I could use some emergency temporary stocking advice...

I'm in the middle of cycling a 240... Was gonna grab a dozed Colombian tetras to help the process along. I ultimately plan to stock w/ a colony of GT, shoal of T. argenteus , (1) PTC, (2) Green Phantoms, a shoal of Brochis multiradiatus and maybe a small group of pictus or 1 bigger Pim along w/ the colombians.. I happened to see the T. argenteus available and since it's so rare, purchased a group of 8 online for delivery March 23. Problem is, I already had an order set for delivery today from the same online source for 6 juvie Angels for my running 180 stocked w/ juvie Rotkeils, Red Head Tapajos, a couple male apistos and 2 Blue Phantoms.. The online source decided to add the (8) 2-3" T. argenteus and (1) 3-4" PTC in with my Angel order for delivery today.... :1zhelp:

So I need a temporary home for these T. Argenteus and PTC until my 240 is cycled and could use any suggestions. Here's my current available tanks and stock:

75G
  • A Rack (Tank 1) (CA) –
    • Cichlids:
      • (8) Firemouth “Thorichthys meeki” (21.1- 23.9° C) (6.8-7.8PH) (WS 1-1½” 3/4/2021)
    • Dithers:
      • (8) (1M) Chiapas Swordtails “Xiphophorous alvarezi” (Get Gills - Greg Sage line) (GG 3/9/2021)
  • A Rack (Tank 2) (SA) –
    • Cichlids:
      • (3) Blue Acara “Andinocara pulcher” CB (22 – 28 °C) (6.5-8PH) (TUIC 2 ½ – 3” 2/26/2021)
    • Dithers:
      • (6) Colombian Tetras “Hyphessobrycon columbianus” TR (20 – 28 °C) (5.5-7.5PH) (HOT 1½-2” 3/1/2021)
    • Plecos:
      • (2) Hypancistrus sp. L260 (Queen Arabesque Pleco) WC “Brazil” TR (24 – 30°C) (5.5-7.5PH)
    • Catfish:
    • (5) Emerald Green Cory “Brochis splendens” WC (20 – 28 °C (5-8PH) (WS 1.5″+ to 2″ 2/23/2021)
  • B Rack (Tank 1) (CA) –
    • Cichlids:
      • (7) T-bar “Amatitlania sajica” CB (24-28°C) (TUIC 1-1 ½” 2/4/2021)
    • Dithers:
      • (10) Rio Otapa Swordtails “Xiphophorous helleri” (Get Gills - Greg Sage line) (GG 3/9/2021)
      • (7) Colombian Tetras “Hyphessobrycon columbianus” (20 – 28 °C) (5.5-7.5PH) (5 WS 1½-2” 2/4/2021) (2 HOT 1½-2” 3/1/2021)
    • Catfish:
      • (2-3) Spotted Hoplo “Megalechis thoracata” WS Trins A-I (17.0-28.0°C) (5.5-8.2PH) (Maybe)
  • B Rack (Tank 2) (SA) –
    • Cichlids:
      • (4) Smokey Blue Pinoy Angelfish (Pterophyllum scalare) TR (24 to 30°c) (6-7.4)
      • (5) Microgeophagus cf.altispinosa “Zweifleickei” WC (24 – 28°C) (6-7.5PH)
      • (2) (♂♀) Apistogramma sp. Breitbinden A 167 TR (22 – 29°C) (4-6.5PH)
      • (2) (♂♀) Apistogramma elizabethae A 208 TR (23 – 29°C) (4-6PH)
      • (5) Spadetailed Checkerboard Cichlid “Dicrossus maculatus” WC “Brazil” (26 – 30°C) (3.4-5.4PH)
    • Dithers:
      • (7) Splash Tetra “Copella Arnoldi” “Brazil” (20 – 28°C) (4-7.5PH)
      • (1) Arowana Tetra “Gnathocharax steindachneri” WC “Brazil” (23 – 27°C) (5.5-7.5PH)
    • Plecos:
      • (5) Red Whiptail Cat “Rineloricaria sp.” L010a TR (24-29°C) (6-7.5PH)
      • (1) Super Red Bristlenose Pleco “Ancistrus sp.” L144A TR (21 – 26°C) (5.5-7.5PH)
    • Snails:
      • (1) Zebra Nerite
  • 180G (72” x 24” x 24”)
    • (SA) –
    • Cichlids:
      • (8) Heros sp. 'rotkeil' “Red Head / Shoulder” TR Peru (24 – 28°C) (6-7PH) (WS ½ - 1 2/23/2021)
      • (6) “Red Head” Manacapuru Angelfish “Pterophyllum scalare” (24 – 30°C) (6-8PH) (A-I 1 ½ - 2” 3/__/2021) (A-I 3/9)
      • (6) Geophagus tapajos “Red Head” WC Brazil (26 – 30 °C) (4.5-7.5PH) (HOT 1 ½ - 2” 2/20/2021)
      • (1) (♂) Apistogramma trifasciata A 205 (20 – 25 °C) (5-7PH)
      • (1) (♂) Apistogramma agassizii “Fire Red” TR (20 – 29 °C) (5-7PH)
    • Pleco:
      • (2) Blue Phantom “Hemiancistrus sp.” L128 (25.0-30.0°C) (6-7PH) (WS 1- ½ 2/23/2021)
I think the 180 may be the most logical choice, but I'm reluctant to add the aggressive larger T. argenteus and PTC to my extremely young group of rotkeils. Plus, I'm adding the 6 juvie Angels there. And lastly, the way my tank is set up, 1/4 of the 180 is blocked by my 240 so it may prove a challenge getting the T. argenteus out when the 240 is ready.

So would it advisable to add the T. argenteus and PTC to my Blue Acara tank (A Rack (Tank 2))...? This is the option I'd most prefer since it's the least stocked and the acaras have more size than my FM or sajica colonies. If no, I'm open to suggestions...

Appreciate any advice as the shipment is due before 12 EST today. :WHOA:

Thanks in advance!
 
I would not worry too much about aggression from the argenteus. I had a group of nine for around 3 years that cohabitated happily with an array of SA cichlids and some mid sized CA cichlids as well. Ime, the "aggressive" moniker that you see on them is mostly due to an inclination to swarm and devour a wounded or stressed fish, much like mini-piranhas. Other than that, they tend to keep to themselves, but will sometimes territorially defend the main "feeding area" from other characins, especially after they settle in to their tank.

If it was me, I would transfer some fish out of a 75 and quarantine there until the 240 is ready. You dont want to risk anything with these fish. As you've said, they are becoming scarce in the hobby and if you like tetras they will most likely become a favorite for you.
 
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tlindsey said:
The only option I would suggest is with the Sajica but they are too small. Maybe quarantine in a large tote until 240 gallon is cycled.
Click to expand...

Thanks for the feedback.. I'm kinda limited on space so not sure a tote is the answer... The FM are bigger than the sajica.. maybe I won't add the swordtails when / if they come today and add the t. argenteus with the FM...?
 
Backfromthedead said:
I would not worry too much about aggression from the argenteus. I had a group of nine for around 3 years that cohabitated happily with an array of SA cichlids and some mid sized CA cichlids as well. Ime, the "aggressive" moniker that you see on them is mostly due to an inclination to swarm and devour a wounded or stressed fish, much like mini-piranhas. Other than that, they tend to keep to themselves, but will sometimes territorially defend the main "feeding area" from other characins, especially after they settle in to their tank.

If it was me, I would transfer some fish out of a 75 and quarantine there until the 240 is ready. You don't want to risk anything with these fish. As you've said, they are becoming scarce in the hobby and if you like tetras they will most likely become a favorite for you.
Click to expand...

Awesome, thanks for the feedback!

Do you think the T. Argenteus and PTC would work w/ the (8) 1&1/2" FM if I left out the swordtails? Or the (3) 3" Blue acara minus the colombian tetras? If I go w/ the acara tank would i need to move the 5 brochis too?

Thanks!
 
bkfamus said:
Awesome, thanks for the feedback!

Do you think the T. Argenteus and PTC would work w/ the (8) 1&1/2" FM if I left out the swordtails? Or the (3) 3" Blue acara minus the colombian tetras? If I go w/ the acara tank would i need to move the 5 brochis too?

Thanks!
Click to expand...

I would keep the ptc and argenteus with the blue acaras. If you wanted to I think the colombians would be fine. they may even join up with the schooling of the argenteus. Here's an older vid of my group of nine featuring blue acaras, a ptc, severums, several smaller tetras, and a very predatory JD.

Quick vid of my tank

Realized i dont have a lot of media relating to the fish i keep on here so heres a quick video of my 150 mixed community. Complete stocking is: 2 severums 5 EBAs 9 redfin argenteus tetras 2 alestes tetras 2 blackskirt tetras 1 JD 1 ornate pim 1 pictus 1 synodontis waterloti 1 pinktail...
www.monsterfishkeepers.com www.monsterfishkeepers.com
 
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Backfromthedead said:
I would keep the ptc and argenteus with the blue acaras. If you wanted to I think the colombians would be fine. they may even join up with the schooling of the argenteus. Here's an older vid of my group of nine featuring blue acaras, a ptc, severums, several smaller tetras, and a very predatory JD.

Quick vid of my tank

Realized i dont have a lot of media relating to the fish i keep on here so heres a quick video of my 150 mixed community. Complete stocking is: 2 severums 5 EBAs 9 redfin argenteus tetras 2 alestes tetras 2 blackskirt tetras 1 JD 1 ornate pim 1 pictus 1 synodontis waterloti 1 pinktail...
www.monsterfishkeepers.com www.monsterfishkeepers.com
Click to expand...

Awesome, thanks you're a lifesaver!?

Great looking tank and stock.. Love the schooling T. argeteus!!
 
bkfamus said:
Awesome, thanks you're a lifesaver!?

Great looking tank and stock.. Love the schooling T. argeteus!!
Click to expand...

Thank you. Unfortunately all of those fish are either passed or rehomed now. I had a nasty oodinia outbreak in my tank a few months back. But interestingly enough, the only fish that were able to recover were two of the argenteus. They are very hardy fish!
 
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