Vieja argentea advice

  • We are currently upgrading MFK. thanks! -neo
J

jaws7777

Bronze Tier VIP
MFK Member
Mar 1, 2014
17,773
20,952
740
White house 1600 Pennsylvania Ave NW, Washington
First off I apologize for being all over the place asking advice on different viejas and did not mean to wast anyones time.

I now have 3 1 to 1.5 inch argentea will will probably give two away once I figure out which one looks best. Any tips that you guys can offer would be much appreciated I plan on feeding the following :
Nls pellets and flake
Omega one kelp pellets
Hikari/omega one algae wafers.
Frozen bw and shrimp

What other foods should I feed them Romaine lettuce ?

Not sure if I am going to leave him in a single species tank or introduce him to a 150 with a.metae, hrp, 4 metynnis fasciatus, green phantom pleco and Ralph cat. Do you guys think it could work long term. Ive search old wr threads and have read that they can be serial killers.

Any advice is appreciated. Really excited to finally have a vieja

Sent from my SPH-L710 using MonsterAquariaNetwork App
 
A full grown Vieja Argentea will likely need a 150 to itself. They get very large and powerful. Stunning fish, but not one you want to keep with others unless you have a lot of space for them.

I would say to have a community tank with this Cichlid long term (throughout adulthood) you would be looking at least a 180-220 gallon for them. Even larger to be on the safe side.
 
I, too, am interested in what people's advice is on this fish as it's a new one to me. Mine is about 6" now and in my 135G with a Syn, Convict, Firemouth, Black shark and Bala. So far he just keeps pretty much to himself but I know that may change in the future. Mine eats Hikari Cichlid BioGold pellets, NLS pellets, Omega One Shrimp pellets, Fresh market shrimp, assorted frozen foods and veggies such as zucchini and cooked carrots.
View attachment 1049905View attachment 1049906
 
When feeding them them zucchini or carrots what do you so just cut them up and drop them in ?
Should they be fed mostly veggies or plant based pellets ? And pellets like hikari or nls less frequently ?

Sent from my SPH-L710 using MonsterAquariaNetwork App
 
jeaninel, yours looks like a female.
And females are less volatile, so you may luck out in a community 6ft tank.
Females tend to have more dark markings, and rounded fins.

I have found with males, a 6 ft tank is too small once they hit the 6"-8" range.
That's when their territorial instinct kicks in, and the males start to take out other tank mates.
I agree with Murrayt that a 150gal is the size suitable for a single male, but you must have something much larger for multiple species.
I have also had this happen with mature regani.
After my male killed its mate in a 150, I gave him away.

In a 220, the male regani then killed a similar sized carpintus, a much large red devil, and had a very large dovii pinned in a corner.
 
duanes said:
jeaninel, yours looks like a female.
And females are less volatile, so you may luck out in a community 6ft tank.
Females tend to have more dark markings, and rounded fins.

I have found with males, a 6 ft tank is too small once they hit the 6"-8" range.
That's when their territorial instinct kicks in, and the males start to take out other tank mates.
I agree with Murrayt that a 150gal is the size suitable for a single male, but you must have something much larger for multiple species.
I have also had this happen with mature regani.
After my male killed its mate in a 150, I gave him away.

In a 220, the male regani then killed a similar sized carpintus, a much large red devil, and had a very large dovii pinned in a corner.
Click to expand...

I guess the safest bet would be to leave it in a single specimen only tank. I love my hrp and metae would want anyrhing to happen to them.

Is it possible to sex them when they are small ? Two have rounded fins and one is more pointed. Do you think I could possibly make it work if I had a female ?

As far as feeding do you mostly feed veggie based diet ? I have read that too little veggies will leave them looking drab

Sent from my SPH-L710 using MonsterAquariaNetwork App
 
jaws7777 said:
When feeding them them zucchini or carrots what do you so just cut them up and drop them in ?
Should they be fed mostly veggies or plant based pellets ? And pellets like hikari or nls less frequently ?

Sent from my SPH-L710 using MonsterAquariaNetwork App
Click to expand...
The zucchini i just slice up and attach to a veggie clip. You can also blanch it by putting it in a cup of water in the microwave for 30 seconds or so to soften it up. For the carrots I used cooked frozen carrots so they're soft also. Pellets are fine too. Mine is a huge pig and will eat anything but they do need veggies in their diet.

duanes said:
jeaninel, yours looks like a female.
And females are less volatile, so you may luck out in a community 6ft tank.
Females tend to have more dark markings, and rounded fins.

I have found with males, a 6 ft tank is too small once they hit the 6"-8" range.
That's when their territorial instinct kicks in, and the males start to take out other tank mates.
I agree with Murrayt that a 150gal is the size suitable for a single male, but you must have something much larger for multiple species.
I have also had this happen with mature regani.
After my male killed its mate in a 150, I gave him away.

In a 220, the male regani then killed a similar sized carpintus, a much large red devil, and had a very large dovii pinned in a corner.
Click to expand...
Thank you so much for sexing mine! Good to know it's a female and may be ok for the long term.
 
At a young age it is very difficult, although they are most apparent in a trio, where you can compare.
But in the pic of jeaninel's, note the rounded fins, and prevalent bands.
Males will also display a steeper profile, and their bodies don't show dark blotches or bands unless stressed.
Below my male, note the long fin trailers, lack of bands/blotches on the body, and square profile. These differences are not so apparent when young, but will show up around 5", maybe smaller.
 
Thanks Duanes I can definitly see the differences you mentioned. I will try and take some pics or a vid maybe you could take a look even though they are tiny

Sent from my SPH-L710 using MonsterAquariaNetwork App
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
MonsterFishKeepers.com
Top Bottom