Will these tank mates work?

[spxsk]

I am very interested in picking up a CRENICICHLA LENTICULATA 8-9" I found and wanted to see if 1-3 specimens will work in my 270g 84x24x31" tank. Tank is pool filter sand substrate, large river rocks, and several very large pieces of driftwood.

Current Inhabitants:
4 Acarichthys Heckleii 5"+
3 Hoplarchus psittacus 7-9"
1 Chocolate Cichlid Male 6"
1 L240 9"+
1 Leporacanthicus triactis 6"

and a few that are moving
2 Tapajos Orange Heads 5"
1 Pair Peruvian Scalare Angels

pH is below 7 and pretty soft water. Temp is 81 degrees, I run a 30 Gallon Sump and an Eheim 2260 and weekly water changes.

Please let me know if you think a few of these fish will work in this tank, and if not suggestions on fish that would need to be moved, or if I am just plain crazy let me know.

Many thanks in advance.

 

[Anderman]

I have a trio of Lents 1m/2f over 12 inches and they haven't killed a fish in my tank yet. Current tankmates with them are:MBU puffer,Black Arowanas,Vinny Pikes,Goldie Plecos,Sailfin pleco,Bichirs,Cuban Cichlid,Argentea Cichlids. There have been several different kinds fish with the pikes in the past but I have since sold them. I would definitely get more then one pike as they will keep each other busy and maybe even pair up. A single Lenticulata in a tank might want to be KING and kill all the fish in the tank.

 

[Peanut_Power]

I wouldn't add the angels, they just seem like an easy target. It might work, but I've never tried it personally. The long, filamentous fins of the heckleii might be too tempting for them as well. The Hoplarchus and chocolate are AWESOME tank mates though! They look fantastic with Crenicichla!

I've got my female lent, two sp. 'atabapo II', and a johanna in my 300gal along with some other fish. The female lent still occasionally pushes the other fish around, nothing serious though.

In a tank your size it would definitely work out. If you can afford it, get at least three of them. Your chances of getting them to pair up increase with the more you can get. Ideally a group of five is best, but they are expensive buggers, so its not something everyone can do.

Sounds like an awesome tank, I know they would really appreciate the soft, low pH water plus the driftwood. Definitely a go on that part!

I hope you seriously do it! They are amazing fish! Just be warned, once you try them you may be hooked for good!

 

[spxsk]

Well, I paid for three of these beauties today. They should ship tomorrow or the next day. I am so stoked. I have sold the Peruvian Scalare pair, just waiting pick up, and am selling one of the Hoplarchus (was the punching bag anyway poor guy). I talked to the guy shipping them and he said they are eating guppies and some pellet.

I am hoping I can get them onto NLS as I have a nice supply of that. I know it will take some time. I opted for the 7" fish vs. the larger ones after reading that younger fish tend to be a little easier to convert to pellets.

What should I have on hand to feed them? I can get some guppies, but would like to try to get them to take frozen anything, or market shrimp, tilapia, or anything you guys suggest. LMK

 

[Peanut_Power]

You getting them from Grey (wetspotcx) off of Aquabid? If so, they are definitely awesome fish!! Thats actually where I got mine from. Here is a pictures of my female I took tonight, and she is still coloring up.

Mysis, krill, massivore/carnivore pellets, and earthworms are great starters. I've got my female lent and johanna on earthworms, mysis, catfish nuggets, krill, massivore pellets, and algae wafers. My male lent and sp. atabapo II on the other hand are stubborn and only really like frozen krill. Some pikes are more receptive than others, and yes age does help when you are trying to introduce them to new foods. Be patient though, they will take it when they are ready. Helps when they see other fish eating it also.

 

[spxsk]

I wish Grey had some right now. He lives about 30 minutes from me. No, I am actually getting them from snookn21 in Florida. I am in a group buy from our local forum DFWFishbox so we are splitting shipping and getting them same day. I am really excited.

Thanks for the heads up on the foods to have on hand. I will have them alone for a while in a quarantine tank, though I asked and they said they were clean, so I will see what they take while I have them in there. In the big tank they will have to work to get food, as everyone else in that tank is a huge pig!

Yours are stunning Peanut, I mean wow! So, because I am getting so excited about these fish coming in, I am also starting to look at changing some of the stock in the tank they are headed for. You mentioned the Parrot and the Chocolate as good companions, might you suggest some other larger fish that you have had success with? I am hoping they leave the Heckleii alone as I really like them, but the Orange Head Geos can move if need be and the Plecos I am not worried about. I would like to get some other fish with size in there though.

 

[spxsk]

Well, I pulled the trigger and bought the Lents. Just got the fish in tonight. Met them at the airport so they were only bagged for less than 12 hours. There are a few nicks but overall they came through very healthy. They are in a quarantine tank, though that should be a short stay as I was assured by the seller that they should be pretty clean. He said they have taken pellets but were still eating live guppies.

Take a look and let me know what you think. I am stoked to say the least.

 

[HiImSean]

very nice lents. i wish i had gotten one before i filled my tank up

 

[spxsk]

Wow, these guys like to hide. I did not feed them more than a cube of brine shrimp which they did eat, so today I will try again, and will add a few guppies to make sure they are eating for sure, then start the weening to pellets. Good idea or no? Let me know.

 

[jgentry]

They look great. I ordered the last 3 from John this weekend. I have never gotten a sick fish from John. They have always been healthy, no ick, no parasites, nothing but good fish. Hope I didn't just jinks myself.

It will take them a little time to settle in. They will be all over your tank soon enough. Every wild caught pike I have owned was very shy when first introduced. Don't be suprised if it takes a month or so for them to become comfortable. After that don't be suprised if they rule the tank.

I'll have mine tomorrow. I'm not going to offer any live food, so mine will have to take krill, bloodworms, or pellets if they want to eat. I might try earthworms if they don't eat in the first week. I'll let you know if I find anything they seem to like.