Wild (ex)Cichlasoma Ornatums - Yes or No?

[caribemob]

I currently have 8 ornatum 5 i just purchased maybe two months ago that are 3''s and 3 that are large 8" male, 7" male and a 6" female. The 3 large ones are in a 300gal with 4 cobra pikes that are around 6-7"s a piece. The 5 3''ers are in a 125 gal. two years ago I had eight that died from bloat because of the temp. From my experience they seem to like cooler water when at small sizes, I keep my small ones at 72 degrees and they eat good and are very active, once they get too the 4" range then maybe you can bump up the temp but even my Large ornatum are in 78 degrees. To me when they get to that 8" mark its hard to match their ridiculous colors that they display so IMO its worth keeping them. They grow IMO just as slow as festae. I would say get them and try it out

 

[duanes]

The light is a simple shop light from Home Depot with T 8 bulbs, I think the flash on my camera helps bring out a bit more color than just the shop light.

Thanks for the insights, D. I'll let the tank sit how it is for a few more weeks and see how it goes.

You guys look amazing! What kind of lighting do you use?

 

[duanes]

I mis-wrote earlier, after checking the light today, I noticed the bulb is not a straight T 8.
I have a friend with a reef tank, who changes bulbs regularly and after 6 months use, gives me the old ones.