Wolf Ciclid LFS HAS ONE

[sicklid-holic]

I have two in my pond that must not have received the memo...all of the Gourami that are in there with them are still alive.

I keep seeing the word "mean" pop up. Keep in mind that's an attribute that can only be attributed to a human being. Fish can be aggressive. And to imply that they attack other fish "just for fun"...is just silly.

One thing I will hands down agree upon is that if you have, plan on having or will shortly buy a Dovii you had better have a 180 gallon tank on hand. All this crap about turning it back in when it hits a certain size is laughable.

Im sure you know the reason why your doviis are mellow. Bigger space less aggressive or territorial to be specific, and less space becomes very territorial. I dont know why you make every word I wrote to have its meaning, its just a term to described certain fish species where its very easy and time saver to write. My previous 4" dovii was placed in a 20gallon long termporarily and it was by himself, attacking me non-stop through the glass when I place my hands by the tank. I even tried to leave about 15% to 20% of water and this fish still tried to jump out the water to bite my hand during waterchanges. (This dovii got killed since it got moved when it was 6" to the 125gallon where another bigger 7" male dovii is kept at.
This 7" male dovii currently kept with a 12" male midas, 10" tiger oscar, 9" tiger oscar, 8" male midas (off spring), tons of striped raphael catfish, and bunch of larger plecos.
This male dovii has shredded fins and scales off the large plecos, and will kill any new fish put in this tank.

And whats wrong with keeping a fish till it gets larger and trading it in, most of the larger fish I see in the fish dont last very long, especially doviis, midas, jaguars, festaes, buttis, even with its high price tags. Theres is nothing wrong with people trying to keep a fish in a less suitable space, if the waterchanges is kept to the maximum and a lot of things could happen, if and upgrade to a bigger tank or that particular fish will bored the hobbyist.
Not everyone has ponds, and tons of tanks.
IMO, the best part of the hobby is having experience on fish that interest anyone. I dont think all the doviis, jaguars, midas, I see in lfs will each gets its own 75gallon to 240gallon. I wont be surprised most of them will end up in a 10 tank or becomes feeders to bigger fish.

 

[sicklid-holic]

Are they intresting fish worth the excitment! Its a male...and i would have to buy a 180 for which is no problem to me

Each fish are different, especially doviis. Where some can be very skittish or shy even at 10". Which a lot of people will loose interest on the fish (trading it in). I've been fortunate to have an 7" male dovii that is very "territorial", and Ive tried keeping him solo. It became more territorial attacking me through the glass, ramming it with full force. And Ive seen dovii even at 10" that just hide all day and not aggressive.
Thats why I highly encourage people to keep a dovii, once you have a very territorial one, not even a midas/red devil can compare. And a good chance an owner will upgrade a tank then to keep it for life.

 

[Aquamojo]

My previous 4" dovii was placed in a 20gallon long termporarily and it was by himself, attacking me non-stop through the glass when I place my hands by the tank. I even tried to leave about 15% to 20% of water and this fish still tried to jump out the water to bite my hand during waterchanges. (This dovii got killed since it got moved when it was 6" to the 125gallon where another bigger 7" male dovii is kept at.
This 7" male dovii currently kept with a 12" male midas, 10" tiger oscar, 9" tiger oscar, 8" male midas (off spring), tons of striped raphael catfish, and bunch of larger plecos.
This male dovii has shredded fins and scales off the large plecos, and will kill any new fish put in this tank.

And whats wrong with keeping a fish till it gets larger and trading it in, most of the larger fish I see in the fish dont last very long, especially doviis, midas, jaguars, festaes, buttis, even with its high price tags. Theres is nothing wrong with people trying to keep a fish in a less suitable space, if the waterchanges is kept to the maximum and a lot of things could happen, if and upgrade to a bigger tank or that particular fish will bored the hobbyist.
Not everyone has ponds, and tons of tanks.
IMO, the best part of the hobby is having experience on fish that interest anyone. I dont think all the doviis, jaguars, midas, I see in lfs will each gets its own 75gallon to 240gallon. I wont be surprised most of them will end up in a 10 tank or becomes feeders to bigger fish.

Cichlids...and primarily the large quapotes are aggressive. Oh boy...news flash. If all of those fish you listed are in that 125, there is no doubt the aggression level would be high. Picture you and six of your football player sized friends living in your bathroom. I'd be a little "mean" as well.

You have it all twisted...the fact that someone can't get or afford a larger tank is no excuse for keeping fish that will out grow what they can obtain or afford. Telling people it's cool to do so is irresponsible and just plain wrong. I would love to have quite a few more fish species even WITH my current tanks and ponds. That doesn't mean I rush out to get them...raise them...then try and shill them off on some LFS. Which by the way for the most part are going the route of the horse and buggy. Try taking a 16" Dovii up to Petsmart...or mailing it back to an online dealer. It's just plain dumb to think it will happen. And if they don't have a large tank, what makes you think that dropping it off at some mom and pop store will guarantee John Q. Public is going to come in and scoop it up?

Your last paragraph sums it up nicely. Most of the fish sold more than likely WON'T end growing to full potential. Why? Irresponsible fish keepers that rationalize scenarios where they can keep large cichlids in mass qutities in tanks that don't provide adequate space. Forget water changes for a second. If you cracked the window in that bathroom to get a constant supply of fresh air, would that make it OK to cozy up with the football players?

I am going to get off my soap box in a second, but let me just point out that the majority of people who visit this and many other sites do so to obtain accurate information about raising these fish. The truth...and yes, the hard truth may be that the tank you have is too small or you have too many fish in that tank. Keeping fish until they get too big for the tank is just wrong and ultimately will lead to a bad situation. If the truth hurts, raise Cory Cats.

By the way, if that is your stock for a 125 gallon tank, I would start looking for that friendly Mom and Pop now. It is WAY overstocked.

 

[sicklid-holic]

By the way, if that is your stock for a 125 gallon tank, I would start looking for that friendly Mom and Pop now. It is WAY overstocked.

I know that particular tank is overstocked, but they seem to be doing ok, a little fin nips here and there, to my surprise. Once it gets too rowdy, which I plan already to sell my red dragon FH's in another 125gallon. Im sure the big midas will be happy with his own tank, or my 75gallon in my bedroom. Also, Ive slowly downsized my 150gallon bow front african tank, so this could be used for my bigger CA.
I got it under control, Mo.
I dont worry about the tank space ahead of time. Many things could happen before then. I might get really bored of the fish (like my red dragon Flowerhorns --your favorite ; ) )

 

[Opiate]

i just bought 4 dovii's, gonna keep 1 or 2 with my jar, umbee's trimac, red terror and jag