I picked up a couple of < 2" Vieja Regani at my LFS for cheap on Saturday afternoon. Since then they've been in a 180g, alone. Are these fish very shy by nature? They're terrified of any movement. They've been hiding the entire time, but have eaten small amounts of food that I manage to place very near them (they won't leave their hiding spots). Also, when they do swim from one location to the next, they dart VERY quickly and stop abruptly (Imagine a squirrel moving), is that normal? What do you figure I should get for compatible tank mates? I've heard Regani are less aggressive than the other Vieja, but I don't know how true that is. I was hoping to get 1 or 2 small Synspilum also. Is that a good or bad idea? I hate silver dollars... so getting them for dithers isn't going to happen! Thanks!
V. Regani behavior
- Thread starter Psylant
- Start date
At that size I've always observed them to be pretty shy. They're also settling in so give them time.
You should just give them sometime but I had the same issue years ago when I kept this species. Not the most social of the Vieja's in my opinion. Are you seeking a species only tank? If so maybe just get some dithers in that tank and see if that helps.
Some of my more outgoing cichlids took weeks to settle in to a new tank. My argentea was very shy in qt, but once introduced to a tank with other fish, he really stopped being shy at all.
Give them time
Give them time
Although both times I kept regani each group was shy, the 2nd group would kill any other similar shaped cichlid (Vieja/Paratheraps) I put in. I think a large group of dithers might be a better tactic to bringing them out.
Thanks for the replies everyone. I suppose from the responses that these are more of species only type of fish then? Hit or miss if I add some other Vieja/Paratheraps while young? Does anyone have some recommendations for dithers? I am not fond of silver dollars or tinfoil barbs. They get enormous, and are very plain looking IMO
Not that I'd recommend doing this everyday, but when my Argentea had finally started eating but was still hiding a lot, I took a chance with "Lucy" our angelfish. She's about 6 years old and is somewhat of a fish whisperer so to speak. She spent time with our festae and our freddy because they were particularly shy too. She's a very confident but gentle fish. As soon as I added her the qt tank the argentea really started to come out of his shell. He followed her around continuously and never once show aggression towards her........or vice versa.
so I think other tank mates will be a bit of trial and error, but you never know what'll work or not till you try. With a 180, I think you could try a lot of different things. Just be ready either way
so I think other tank mates will be a bit of trial and error, but you never know what'll work or not till you try. With a 180, I think you could try a lot of different things. Just be ready either way