I've been reading the posts here for a while and know that quite a few of you have experience with Dovii. My question's are 1) What other fish have you been able to keep with them? 2) How large did the Dovii get b4 you had to move/separate them, I know that most all the web sites that you find on them state that at the 8-10 inch mark they kill off everything or need to be separated, but has anyone had luck beyond that? 3)What size tank did you have them in? I Please let me know what has worked for those of you that have tried to keep them with tankmates. Thanks in advance with any advise!
What have you kept with your Dovii?
- Thread starter ScubaStv
- Start date
ScubaStv;579163; said:
Answers: 1) I've tried everything from large Tinfoils to other large brusier cichlids and honestly its just a waste of time unless you have a 300+ gallon tank. Dovii's are by no means over-rated when it comes to dismantling another fish so be advised tankmates will become a tasty snack eventually once the dovii decides he want's the tank to himself. 2) Mine went psycho at about 6" but some males take longer. 3)My 14" male is currently in a 180Gallon with a 16" Common Pleco that takes a beating from the dovii daily but still survives another day. The best advise I can give you is really think hard before making a commitment to such a large monster dovii. These guys get big and they do it fast so if you cant buy i big tank now wait until you can before getting a dovii. I've included a pic of my dovii and remember this guy is only 16 months old......
It really depends on each fish (dovii). Some does stay mellow till they hit certain size 7"+. Others will stay skittish till they hit even large size of 12" and over. While some, like my previous female was so aggressive it kept by herself at 2 1/2", at 3" it was already attacking me through the glass with full force. and I tried to place my hand during a waterchanged with the water just just hitting its top fin, and it really crazy how it even tried to jump out the water trying to bite my hand. But unfortunately it died, when I moved her to a 125gallon with a 7" male dovii. Killed her overnight. And now this 7" dovii is by himself in a 75gallon (temporarily). Its also a glass banger and will kill anthing place in the tank-even a large common pleco. Unless the tankmate has 4" size advantage.
It is known that dovii is the most intellignet fish in the world. If you have the resources to buy a large tank 125gallon and over in the future. I highly recommend a male dovii.
Thats a really nice fish REC. Now, stop make us all drool.
It is known that dovii is the most intellignet fish in the world. If you have the resources to buy a large tank 125gallon and over in the future. I highly recommend a male dovii.
Thats a really nice fish REC. Now, stop make us all drool.
My male dovii has killed off everything I've attempted to keep with him in a 240 gallon except his current female and a 12" chocolate pleco. And these have beat-up fins regularly.
The victims include tinfoil barbs, silver dollars, a jag, a female dovii (his first breeding female), a common pleco, and a clown pleco.
There are people who have kept large cichlids with dovii in big (600+ gallons) tanks and been very successful. But in anything under 360 gallons you'd probably just be wasting money and fish trying tankmates.
The victims include tinfoil barbs, silver dollars, a jag, a female dovii (his first breeding female), a common pleco, and a clown pleco.
There are people who have kept large cichlids with dovii in big (600+ gallons) tanks and been very successful. But in anything under 360 gallons you'd probably just be wasting money and fish trying tankmates.
Has anyone tried something like a black shark (I can't remember the scientific name)?. I was wondering if b/c of their size 20-24 inches, completely different body structure, and different behavior. If the Dovii would not see them as a threat. The tank that they would eventually be in is a 8'x3'x3' a little over 500 gal. I was also wondering about a bass or pike of some kind? What are your thoughts? or is this just a lost cause? I love my Dovii so far (currently 1 pair @ 5-6" with a crapload of fry in a 55 (temporary) and 4 others 3-4" in a 300 gallon with a breading pair of Jags 6-7", 2 GT's 4-5" and 4 Oscars 8-9"), I really want to be able to display them in a tank that is not just a solo tank!, but if that's how it has to be then so be it! I'm willing to make adjustments for it. Thanks again for the advise!
My largest Male is living with a small butti about 4 inches. I dropped him in to see if he would eat him, but now he just swims around and the dovii shows no sign of aggression towards him.
broberts1030;580270; said:
How large is your male? My breading pair are approx. 5-6" the female being the larger of the two for now. I know a breeding pair changes the whole picture on what can be kept with them, but I'll try whatever I can and pull the fish that can't make it with them!
Another question for those of you who keep breeding Dovii and Managuense! What the heck do you do with all your fry? In my area no one wants them b/c they are too easy to come by and/or once they learn how big/nasty they can be they say no way! Are they all destined to be feeders?
