Vieja Argentea Info.

[Aquanero]

I just picked up a Vieja Argentea and was looking for helpful hints from anyone with experience keeping. It’s about 2”, I picked the biggest most aggressive out of a group of about ten in hopes of getting a male, we’ll see. What's the best diet, water, temperature, lighting and substrate/backing combo to get the color to pop, Pictures would be helpful if you have any I’d like to see them.

 

[cchhcc]

Be careful with feeding......not too much undigestible protein. Fresh veggies are a big plus. Peas, zuchinni, romaine, spinach, and the like are great to get them used to eating. However, most of the diet should consist of an easily digestible pellet like NLS. In fact, you may want to start him on NLS Thera-A for the first month or so. Frozen food would be unnecessary and lots of it would/could be harmful. These fish graze in the detritus over the course of the day in the wild and don't consume large amounts of rich, meaty foods.

Lighting in the blue spectrum will make the colors pop the most; 10K+.

 

[Aquanero]

Thanks cchhcc, I really thought I'd get more hits on this thread. I touoght more people kept them and would be willing to sare info. What ever, thank you very much for taking the time to help me.

 

[cchhcc]

Don't get discouraged. Argentea aren't exactly common (especially large ones), so not a lot of people are likely to have much experience or info to contribute.

 

[Dmoney1]

My male is 8"+ eats algae wafers and hikari Bio-gold. He was in a 75 with a Severum until after 8months together they had a falling out. I moved the Argentea to a 40 for the night until i could decide what to do. Well he killed my WC Geophagus Red-headed Tapajo over night and now has the tank and a few silver dollars to himself.

 

[Aquanero]

Thanks for the feedback. I got it started on Bio-Gold+ and skined crushed Peas. My lfs was out of Thera-A but I had them order some for me that will be in tomorrow. I set the tank up with a black background, PFS mixed with black sand, a small pile of drift wood with Anubius Nana tied on for cover and 12K lighting. It's a very nice effect that really brings out all of its colors. This is a beautyful fish that I hope grows into a real show piece.

 

[the animal guy]

I got 2 at the same saize as your's too! They are really nice already. Lets share updates

 

[TheFishJunky]

Be careful with feeding......not too much undigestible protein. Fresh veggies are a big plus. Peas, zuchinni, romaine, spinach, and the like are great to get them used to eating. However, most of the diet should consist of an easily digestible pellet like NLS. In fact, you may want to start him on NLS Thera-A for the first month or so. Frozen food would be unnecessary and lots of it would/could be harmful. These fish graze in the detritus over the course of the day in the wild and don't consume large amounts of rich, meaty foods.

Lighting in the blue spectrum will make the colors pop the most; 10K+.

^great advice^
Also use flakes to help with the veggies and color. A lot of people think flake is for neon's and guppies and such but our big cichlids love them as well and its a great means of vegetable matter and makes fish POP with color.Fresh veggies are best of course as well.It will be a great show piece and/center piece to any tank. One of my personal favorites....

 

[Aquanero]

I got 2 at the same saize as your's too! They are really nice already. Lets share updates

Congrats on the pick up! Yeah lest see how growth rates compare.

^great advice^
Also use flakes to help with the veggies and color. A lot of people think flake is for neon's and guppies and such but our big cichlids love them as well and its a great means of vegetable matter and makes fish POP with color.Fresh veggies are best of course as well.It will be a great show piece and/center piece to any tank. One of my personal favorites....

Thanks for the info I think it will be awsome in the tank the way I set it up. Once I get a little size on it and you can see it without straninig, lol.
I will feed the veggies and do everything I can to get the most out of it. I'm really hoping for a stunner so I'm ready to do my part.