want a payara

  • We are currently upgrading MFK. thanks! -neo
Industrial;4796193;4796193 said:
I would go with a scomb.

In reality, most payara keepers cannot or do not keep payara until their natural death. Tats seem to be kind of touchy and many times like to hide. Mine hides a lot, and he also chases around any fish that swim and tries to bite at them. But then if anything chases him, there is a good chance the stress could kill him.
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I got my first Tat two weeks ago. It took three days to trick him into eating but he is settling in nicely. I plan on getting another later this week as I understand they prefer like companionship. In two weeks this 7.5" fish has endured a two hour car ride. Being introduced as a smallish fish in my 52 gallon. Adapting to silversides frozen. Having the tank drained and emptied and being netted and kept in a cooler for three hours. Being introduced into a new larger tank.

This sounds like stress to me. This fish is tough and resilient. No one bullies it. It chases silver dollrs a little.....It leaves my 3.5" Dats completley alone. It exibits natural behavior preferring to find strong current and hanging in fiull view about 8" off the bottom. Begs like my dats during feeding.....hits the dead fish once. Then spins around to swallow it whole. Ate a SilverSide 1/3 its body weight yesterday meant for my 10" dat!
 
Industrial;4796193; said:
I would go with a scomb.

In reality, most payara keepers cannot or do not keep payara until their natural death. Tats seem to be kind of touchy and many times like to hide. Mine hides a lot, and he also chases around any fish that swim and tries to bite at them. But then if anything chases him, there is a good chance the stress could kill him.
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I'd agree. They do seem pretty temperamental and quite skittish. Some things I've learnt with my first payara:

1) The slightest change to his environment could upset him.
I avoided putting any plants/driftwood when I first got him, cos he was very active and didn't want anything to injure him. Recently (I've had him for 5months now), even placing a small plant in sends him into a frenzy. Starts darting around, and swimming against the glass. So I've had to take the plant out.

2) Easily spooked
I'd suggest not placing the tank near a doorway, or actually anywhere where there's too much movement. Since people suddenly appearing would freak him out, and sending him against the glass on the opposite side. Has happened to me a few times. So you might consider keeping your tank in the far end of the room, where he can see quite early when you're approaching.

From what I can tell, a common cause of death in juvenile payaras is them bashing their heads against the glass. So gotta keep them as comfortable as possible. Though even when I've kept his environment stable, there are some nights he seems a little more "excitable" than others. So I guess luck definitely plays a huge part.

Everything here is simply from the first Payara I've kept (which is also the first fish I've attempted keeping). So if any of the more experienced keepers have anymore suggestions, feel free to disagree with me.
 
daimion;4800177; said:
I'd agree. They do seem pretty temperamental and quite skittish. Some things I've learnt with my first payara:

1) The slightest change to his environment could upset him.
I avoided putting any plants/driftwood when I first got him, cos he was very active and didn't want anything to injure him. Recently (I've had him for 5months now), even placing a small plant in sends him into a frenzy. Starts darting around, and swimming against the glass. So I've had to take the plant out.

2) Easily spooked
I'd suggest not placing the tank near a doorway, or actually anywhere where there's too much movement. Since people suddenly appearing would freak him out, and sending him against the glass on the opposite side. Has happened to me a few times. So you might consider keeping your tank in the far end of the room, where he can see quite early when you're approaching.

From what I can tell, a common cause of death in juvenile payaras is them bashing their heads against the glass. So gotta keep them as comfortable as possible. Though even when I've kept his environment stable, there are some nights he seems a little more "excitable" than others. So I guess luck definitely plays a huge part.

Everything here is simply from the first Payara I've kept (which is also the first fish I've attempted keeping). So if any of the more experienced keepers have anymore suggestions, feel free to disagree with me.
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Wow, I didnt know they were that skittish. I guess if I do end up getting one I'll do everything I can to keep it happy. And about the luck part, lets hope I have plenty of it.
 
When I picked up my Tat it was housed with Cichla, large cats and flowerhorns....Mine resides with Red hooks, a frontosa, a large IT, 2x 3" Thin Bar dats, a fiesty BP and some medium cats......He totally holds his own.....he is decent size but much smaller than all but the Itt...Not nearly as skittish as say..... a silver aro!
 
tigeroscar1996;4802540; said:
Wow, I didnt know they were that skittish. I guess if I do end up getting one I'll do everything I can to keep it happy. And about the luck part, lets hope I have plenty of it.
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Should say, that the skittishness does go away slowly. Now he's pretty comfortable with his surroundings, so doesn't really freak out unless something completely unusual happens.

Even when he does panic, and dart away, he still stops clear of the glass. Guess the boundaries of the tank, slowly gets learnt.
 
daimion;4803262; said:
Should say, that the skittishness does go away slowly. Now he's pretty comfortable with his surroundings, so doesn't really freak out unless something completely unusual happens.

Even when he does panic, and dart away, he still stops clear of the glass. Guess the boundaries of the tank, slowly gets learnt.
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Hearing that makes me feel better about it now.
 
tigeroscar1996;4803812; said:
Hearing that makes me feel better about it now.
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To be completely honest, my Payara was actually an accidental buy. I wanted to get something else, and was tricked into thinking that's what he was. (I do blame myself partly, since I didn't research properly).But now, I wouldn't even think of trading him in for anything.

Once you get it past the initial skittish stage, you're gonna love keeping them.
 
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