V. Regani behavior

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I think a lot of the techniques you used definitely helped. I'm doubtful you could easily replicate that tank in another fish room. The fact that it's a big tank is also is obviously a factor, I don't think that would work out in a 125 or something. I definitely wouldn't recommend buying all the fish you have at the size they currently are and throwing them in a tank.

I'll give some examples of varying Vieja aggression I've experienced. Had 6 argentea growing out in a 90 from about 2". They were fine for months. Moved them to a 125 and they slowly started killing each other one by one until I was left with what I assumed was a male and a female but with 0 bonding behavior. Added my black belt pair who ignored all other fish in the tank. Gave argentea pair to Cavamart. Black belt male then started getting aggressive with his female. Gave her to Cavamart and he kept her with other Vieja and she never showed an ounce of aggression. My male was mellow with all tank mates. Moved same tank mates and black belt male to my 225 and added my godmanni trio, he got aggressive with everyone in the 225. Re introduced female black belt. Surprisingly, SHE started getting very aggressive with tank mates, having never been before. Moved the male to the sump and now all is completely peaceful. There are so many factors there to consider, the point is, be careful and have a back up plan! My sump is 5 feet long for a reason.
 
Excellent information here. Thanks for the replies guys, I do appreciate it. There's very little reliable information online about Vieja! I have read your other thread before, aclockworkorange. I'll probably try to go and get a Synspilum and Argentea on Saturday if they're still available. I would go tomorrow, but the weather here right now is absolutely bone chillingly cold and the roads are polished ice. -40 Celsius!
 
aclockworkorange said:
I think a lot of the techniques you used definitely helped. I'm doubtful you could easily replicate that tank in another fish room. The fact that it's a big tank is also is obviously a factor, I don't think that would work out in a 125 or something. I definitely wouldn't recommend buying all the fish you have at the size they currently are and throwing them in a tank.
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Exactly! Thats why I stated that they all grew up in a grow out tank, either together and/or with other species. Either way, they started young together, and graduated to a larger tank when big enough.

As for throwing them together at a volatile time in their growth. I never suggested this, and agree, I wouldnt recommend this for 1 main reason. You never know how the larger fish is raised. Was it alone, has it ever shared a tank, was it fed a lot of live food, what type of food was it fed, what were its conditions, was the fish interacted with? All these variables IMO are very important when adding fish. One of the reasons I purchase most of my fish small. I rarely buy a fish that is in its 18 to 27 year old stage. :D And if I do, i take several precautions before I introduce to an existing tank.
 
I start my grow outs around 2" or smaller. Usually if I have an occupant that is about 2" and I want to add, I usually try to find fish of similar size. So if your going to possibly get a couple different fish, get the ones as close to the size of the existing fish. You should be fine. I would also add more than 1 at a time. If you want to add 2-4 fish, add them all at once. Then just watch them, make sure they are playing nice.
 
Yeah that's what I figured. You feel as if the "up to 4" " Argentea and Synspilum at the LFS have a shot using that same method? I figured it would be mostly geared towards 2 inchers. I wish they were smaller!
 
I also use 50 gal tanks as sumps, great place to drop a harassed fish, or the harasser. A backup plan is always needed, or at least another fishkeeper ready to take one with any cichlid, due to their volatility.
The sumps are also a good place to raise fry.
I had gone to Conkels years back,and picked up groups of 2" argentea, regeni and pearsei. When the largest argentea hit 5" it killed the other argentea, then started on the regani. It ended up in the sump.
Its always a krapp shoot.
 
I managed to find what I believe is a Synspilum at 2" today. He's VERY outgoing and cruising all around the tank. He's eaten already being in the tank for 1 minute haha. The Regani came out to to take a few shots at him and darted back to their lair. I've noticed they stick together. The Synspilum is much, much more interesting thus far.
 
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