vieja zonatum info?

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freebyrd

Piranha
MFK Member
Jul 6, 2010
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I was looking at the different vieja sp. and I couldn't find much info on the zonatum, I really dig this fish. Anyone have experience with them? Hows their temperament? Can they be kept in a community? How big do they get? Any pictures/info would be appriciated . Where do you get these guys from?
 
All vieja are relatively the same.
Ive heard these are less aggresive than most, along with Guttulatum and Godmanni and Hertwegi.
The more aggressive species like Blackbelts and Argentea can be hard working into a community setting. Either way a monster tank is needed. You cant expect a vieja in a community in anything under a 125gal at the very very least.
 
Fishingout, how many zonatum, argentea, and maculicauda have you owned? Your info is frankly, pretty incorrect.

Zonatum are one of the most aggressive cichlids I've ever owned. Much more aggressive than argentea for sure. The Vieja/Paratheraps family has very peaceful and placid fish like regani and synspilum up to super aggressive fish like zonatum and maculicauda.

My female zonatum reached 9" in a year, and Mo's male is around 14" I think.

They really don't like conspecifics and will harass similar looking fish (body shape and color) relentlessly.
 
Unfortuantly no Zons. I did have a 6 year old Argentea and I have a Mac right now. My argentea was straight evil.
From what you stated makes them sound alot like the Fenestratus im keeping now too. SUPER aggressive towords conspecifics. Ive always seen Zons in very calm in community settings, and havent heard of them being overly agro. Then again I havent kept one.
Zons are Paratheraps correct? They seem to not be as tolerant as Vieja in community settings.
 
Yes, from what I know zonautus and fenestratus are pretty equal temperament wise. Though I've not kept fenestratus. My argentea male was fine with tankmates as long as they weren't other argentea, while the female I owned was fairly placid. My zonatus hated all fish near to her in size. Had to keep her solo.
 
Do not want this to devolve into a 'who's more aggressive than who' shouting match but I have owned regani and place them with the most aggressive fish I have every owned, killed my grammodes.

When you purchase a fish it is not as though you are buying a car that you know will have certain specifications and run a certain way (even this can fail you). They are all different, species of fish have a range of temperament, behavior ect ect. Best to plan for the worst-case scenario. Which sounds like a foot+ of hatred haha.
 
Man I would love to have a monster zonatus, I have a 150 but I have loisellei, carpintis, managuense, acara and a nic. I don't think I would have room! Sounds like they get large! Are there any vieja that don't get huge and aggressive? I'm also housing a buttikoferi until the end of the week then its leaving with my dad, lol
 
Your tank sounds pretty full. Vieja heterospila tend to stay smaller (a foot or less) and are less aggressive.

jpmroane, that sounds unlike ANY regani I've ever seen or heard of. Do you have photos of this beast of a regani?
 
I think this is Zonatum
Vieja.jpg

i had this fish years ago and i couldnt ID him but somebody kindly on here told me he is Zonatum, i dno but heres a pic anyway :) very peacefull fish and alot more beautiful than the picture shows
 
Man that thing is ridiculous beautiful, nice fish! So what tankmates are good for these guys? I hear peaceful and evil as well...
 
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