Two new PB, couple of ?'s for the pros...

[biguebs]

So I am expecting two small PB tomorrow headbang2), one mono and one ocell. According to the seller, they are both 2"-3". I have a nice cycled 55 gal waiting for them, but I wanted to verify a few things about taking care of these guys before I actually had them.

1) I understand the massive tanks required for these fish in the long run. From what I have read (and information I have found is highly inconsistent), I'm thinking that the 55 will be large enough for these two for 10-12 months if I'm lucky? I know they grow fast, I'm just trying to figure out how fast!

2) I have seen proper pH and water temps all over the place for PB. The water from the tap is 7.5, I assume this will be acceptable? Water temp in the upper 70's? I have seen people saying to keep young PB in 88 degree water? That seems high.

3) Anything else I should know? Besides tank requirements and that they are picky eaters and to have a secure hood on the tank?

I have done extensive research, but the variance of the information available worries me. The people on this board seem to be very well informed so I'm throwing it out there. Thanks in advance... sorry so long.

 

[bigchubz]

First thing I would go with a 75 gal. or bigger The more room the better and the temp should stay between 75 to 85 the more u feed em the faster they grow the Ph should be good the lower the better driftwood helps keep that low

 

[biguebs]

First thing I would go with a 75 gal. or bigger The more room the better and the temp should stay between 75 to 85 the more u feed em the faster they grow the Ph should be good the lower the better driftwood helps keep that low

Thanks. Yes I'm aware that I should give them as much room as possible and plan to do just that, the 55 is really more of a quarantine / grow out tank for the short term. Once they hit 6" or so I'll move them to my 125. Larger tank further down the road.

 

[bigchubz]

I gotcha good luck with them hope they get big and bad!!

 

[The True Guapote]

At that size I'd be keeping the tank in the mid 80's with plenty of aeration via airstones/powerhead. The warmer the water the less oxygen and pbass like warm water and lots of oxygen. Tap water should be fine they'll adapt to it. Bogwood will naturally lower your ph but normally stains your water.
As for a 55, I don't think you'll get a year out of it. Realistically your fish will reach the 12" mark in about that time and that's a very large fish for a 55 not to mention you'll have two.
I have 3 orinocensis in my 75 right now and they're about 5" or so and I'm already wanting to upgrade their tank

 

[fish junkie]

pbass at smaller then 6"-8 " size are prone to ick temps over 86 degrees f are a great deterrent to ward the ick out of your tank added air stones will increase oxygen levels in your water column helping your fish to breathe in thew warmer temps adding in aquarium salt also helps and is the only true way to treat ick in cichla, all the ick remedies will most likely kill your fish . Adding in drift wood does help lower ph a bit and also introduces tannins into the water thats a good thing it more closely resembles the natural habitat of pbass.
If you have a 125 available use it ,bigger tank means more exercise for the fish more exercise also adds to quick healthy growth i would add a power head at one end to keep a constant current moving in the tank.

 

[gangster]

87 w/ airation......lots of filtration. Feed frozen if possible....blood worms, brine shrimp etc. Pellets if they will eat them. Do not starve them and feed atleast 2x a day at that size.

 

[ado124]

For the most part, all of the above is great information! Here's some stuff i'd add

1) I understand the massive tanks required for these fish in the long run. From what I have read (and information I have found is highly inconsistent), I'm thinking that the 55 will be large enough for these two for 10-12 months if I'm lucky? I know they grow fast, I'm just trying to figure out how fast!

I think it really depends on the fish. cichla in general grow fast but you'll get the occasional runt. Don't count on getting a runt though and make sure you have plans for a bigger tank cuz they will more than likely outgrow your 55g within a year if they are kept healthy. When looking for their next tank, look for larger lengths and widths (footprint). In my opinion, a tank with a larger footprint is better than a tank with more volume for cichla.

2) I have seen proper pH and water temps all over the place for PB. The water from the tap is 7.5, I assume this will be acceptable? Water temp in the upper 70's? I have seen people saying to keep young PB in 88 degree water? That seems high.

You're going to see lots of opinions on pH. My tap is in the 8's somewhere and my cichla seem fine. As long as you acclimate them properly, they'll adapt to the new water conditions.

As everyone has said, keep the water temps up. Mid 80's minimum till they're a bit bigger. Make sure you have plenty of aeration. If you decide you don't want to keep the water temps that high, you'll probably run into ick. Treat ick by bumping the temps up to the high 80's and adding aquarium salt.

3) Anything else I should know? Besides tank requirements and that they are picky eaters and to have a secure hood on the tank?

If they were on feeders when you got them, they probably won't take anything other than live for awhile. If they're already on prepared foods, congrats! There's a nice sticky on here about how to convert them off live but you shouldn't try that till the fish are a little bigger.

A well covered tank is a must. I've lost a few cichla already that either found a hole to jump through or busted through a glass lid that wasn't secured down.

Good luck and happy cichla keeping! If you have any other questions, don't be afraid to ask! everyone here is friendly.

 

[biguebs]

Wow! Great information from everyone, and it's much appreciated! It looks like I need to bump up the water temp higher than I thought. I do have an airstone in the tank, so that should keep plenty of oxygen available for them.

There are currently a couple of turtles and a 9" JD in the 125, the turtles are going to be re-homed soon (took them off of a friend who wasn't taking care of them properly and didn't want them any longer, they are now healthy and I'm trying to find them a permanent owner). Once I re-home the turtles, the fish will be moved to the 125, and the sooner the better.

 

[The True Guapote]

Careful with the jd. Even in a 125 the jd could harass or bully them. I would venture to say the majority of cichla keepers normally have species only tanks or mix with other large but mild tempered fish, rays, datnioids, catfish, or other large bodied but mild mannered cichlids I.e. Severums. As for a single airstone just watch for rapid breathing. I only had one stone in my tank and it wasn't enough even with a large canister filter. I went to a power head with Venturi wide open and it's working much better.