Umbee or Dovii

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Listen to cchhcc... he knows what he's talking about here. Before you buy either, you must have at least a 240g to give.... most often to this ONE fish. Thats more than most people are willing to do. If you are one of the rare exeptions, more power to you, but you nmust realize what your getting yourself into.
 
cchhcc;1364816; said:
Regardless of the fish, you should ask yourself are you prepared for the commitment both species require. Both MUCH more water than most people ever give them, and both will live a decade or two.

The hard truth is most people are not ever really prepared to keep such species. Many of us who have kept some of these large types of fish have come to realize they aren't really aquarium fish in the normal sense. They need far more space than almost anyone is going to provide.

To answer your questions:
1. Which Grows at a fast rate.
Both will grow quickly in a good situation. Less a function of species and more one of situation.
2. Which one has more personality and out going
Neither will be outgoing on the level of many other cichlids (Midas, etc.) until they are fairly large. They can, in fact, be shy when young.
3. Which bangs on the glass more
Glass banging is a pathological reaction to extreme isolation in a stimulus poor environment. It is not a natural behavior for a non-breeding fish (just as many of the behaviors seen in zoo animals are not natural or indicative of a healthy animal). I don't believe it is a good goal to hope one's fish behaves as do some of the crazies we've all seen. It is easy to provide a healthier environment by making sure fish are kept in mixed tanks wherever possible. That said, both are highly intelligent and will come to recognize and interact with their owners as they grow older. In a fry guarding situation, both are very aggressive toward anything, and I've had dovii makes that were about as aggressive as any fish I've ever come across (of course, their size makes their displays more fearsome appearing).
4. Which Eats more
Both will have similar requirements. A large fish will only need to be fed every few days or so.
5. Which is mroe aggressive towards other fish
I have successfully maintained large male dovii with other fish several times, but in a small tank (i.e. anything under several hundred gallons) you can expect carnage. The same could be said for umbees. The key is keeping them with fish all their lives in a suitably sized system. As long as they have space to breed and feed naturally, they will coexist just fine with many species of fish. Crowded, and you will have trouble (but that is the same case with most CA cichlids; it's just that the much larger dovii and umbee exacerbates things).

By the way, I'd be wary about taking advice from people who've never owned either. I'd be even MORE wary about taking advice from people who've only owned small ones....... There's a reason you see lots of little ones and very few big ones. I know of only a handful that have grown either to anything close to fully grown, and none of those people would be likely to suggest them as pets.

*Applauds*

Well said.
 
cchhcc;1364816; said:
Regardless of the fish, you should ask yourself are you prepared for the commitment both species require. Both MUCH more water than most people ever give them, and both will live a decade or two.

The hard truth is most people are not ever really prepared to keep such species. Many of us who have kept some of these large types of fish have come to realize they aren't really aquarium fish in the normal sense. They need far more space than almost anyone is going to provide.

To answer your questions:
1. Which Grows at a fast rate.
Both will grow quickly in a good situation. Less a function of species and more one of situation.
2. Which one has more personality and out going
Neither will be outgoing on the level of many other cichlids (Midas, etc.) until they are fairly large. They can, in fact, be shy when young.
3. Which bangs on the glass more
Glass banging is a pathological reaction to extreme isolation in a stimulus poor environment. It is not a natural behavior for a non-breeding fish (just as many of the behaviors seen in zoo animals are not natural or indicative of a healthy animal). I don't believe it is a good goal to hope one's fish behaves as do some of the crazies we've all seen. It is easy to provide a healthier environment by making sure fish are kept in mixed tanks wherever possible. That said, both are highly intelligent and will come to recognize and interact with their owners as they grow older. In a fry guarding situation, both are very aggressive toward anything, and I've had dovii makes that were about as aggressive as any fish I've ever come across (of course, their size makes their displays more fearsome appearing).
4. Which Eats more
Both will have similar requirements. A large fish will only need to be fed every few days or so.
5. Which is mroe aggressive towards other fish
I have successfully maintained large male dovii with other fish several times, but in a small tank (i.e. anything under several hundred gallons) you can expect carnage. The same could be said for umbees. The key is keeping them with fish all their lives in a suitably sized system. As long as they have space to breed and feed naturally, they will coexist just fine with many species of fish. Crowded, and you will have trouble (but that is the same case with most CA cichlids; it's just that the much larger dovii and umbee exacerbates things).

By the way, I'd be wary about taking advice from people who've never owned either. I'd be even MORE wary about taking advice from people who've only owned small ones....... There's a reason you see lots of little ones and very few big ones. I know of only a handful that have grown either to anything close to fully grown, and none of those people would be likely to suggest them as pets.

:banhim::banhim::banhim::j/k:
For giving out the best information on a question like this ive ever read on this website.

That is one reason i didnt post advise in this thread since yes i do have 12 umbees right now that im growning out but i have never owned a dovii of any size and the only umbees ive owned are all still small the largest being about 5 inches. and they will have an appropriete size tank that is sitting in my garage waiting to be set up.

That is the one downfall of this site are the people who give advise with never having any experience with whatever is in question.
 
Leme go get a pic of my male dovii, will change your mind in a heart beat :)
 
Great advice cchhcc! That is why you don't ever see me advise on which fish a person should get. Other than some dithers or fish that I currently own. I might suggest which one I think is better looking.
As for as glass bangers I relate this to the same behavior as a lion, or bear, etc. that is kept in a zoo that constantly paces. This is because it is housed in an unfamiliar environment that is to small for it to exhibit a natural behavior or roaming range. JMO
 
PMK;1366455; said:
That is the one downfall of this site are the people who give advise with never having any experience with whatever is in question.

That is a downfall of all sites.. Believe me you also have those who think they're are mucho experianced and will tell 90% people they have no business owning some species and go overboard... It is what it is I guess. It was good info though. But I have/owned both species.
 
ShadowStryder;1366490; said:
This is because it is housed in an unfamiliar environment that is to small for it to exhibit a natural behavior or roaming range. JMO

Yep while glass banging is entertaining to some it's a product of an enviroment that is too small.
 
ok... so opinions which would you rather have? ( to the people who have owned both umbees and doviis)... or at least seen both which would you like? and which one personally do you think looks better? Which one gets bigger? do they get rougly the same size? but arnt umbees thicker and the same length?
 
Male Umbie will be the bigger fish in aquarium on average. They both probably eat the same at their largest sizes so that IMO is negliable. Both have their own look, I personally prefer the look of a Male Dovii of good genes just the striking blues/turqouise's, the body shape. But I'm sure it's personal preference..
 
I doubt there are many umbees thicker than this dovii!

rosa.jpg
 
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