Stocking Help Around Green Terrors

[Cichlids_lover1010]

i have a breeding pair of green terrors in a 6ft x 1.5ft x 1.5ft, its just them at the moment, i was looking at a group of some type of geophagus, maybe geophagus tapajo,
i was also looking for a centre cichlid to go there, maybe an electric blue jack dempsey, so my stocking list is

2 x Green terrors (breeding pair)
4 or 5 x Geophagus tapajo
1 x electric blue jack dempsey

any other suggestions or am i fully stocked?

 

[onidrase]

i have a breeding pair of green terrors in a 6ft x 1.5ft x 1.5ft, its just them at the moment, i was looking at a group of some type of geophagus, maybe geophagus tapajo,
i was also looking for a centre cichlid to go there, maybe an electric blue jack dempsey, so my stocking list is

2 x Green terrors (breeding pair)
4 or 5 x Geophagus tapajo
1 x electric blue jack dempsey

any other suggestions or am i fully stocked?

I'd be afraid to put anything but maybe some catfish with a breeding pair of GT's tbh. All cichlids are very territorial when breeding, and I've found that even pairs that aren't breeding are much more aggressive than a single of the same species. Since GT's are already pretty infamously aggressive (though mine has yet to show his mean side) I'd be worried about them ripping up or killing other fish to protect their babies.

I don't know a whole lot about geos, but I do know that EBJD's seem to have a much weaker immune system than standard JDs. And they're also much more expensive. I've not heard anyone speak of having a full grown EBJD before, as much as I'd like to see.

I'm sure somebody else could probably give you more info on what you can do on the tank, but also keep in mind that if the GT's are paired and already pretty old, at that, adding tank mates is not going to be remotely easy. Of course, I have no idea how long you've had them or how long the tank has been up or anything.

 

[Cichlids_lover1010]

i have a breeding pair of green terrors in a 6ft x 1.5ft x 1.5ft, its just them at the moment, i was looking at a group of some type of geophagus, maybe geophagus tapajo,
i was also looking for a centre cichlid to go there, maybe an electric blue jack dempsey, so my stocking list is

2 x Green terrors (breeding pair)
4 or 5 x Geophagus tapajo
1 x electric blue jack dempsey

any other suggestions or am i fully stocked?

I'd be afraid to put anything but maybe some catfish with a breeding pair of GT's tbh. All cichlids are very territorial when breeding, and I've found that even pairs that aren't breeding are much more aggressive than a single of the same species. Since GT's are already pretty infamously aggressive (though mine has yet to show his mean side) I'd be worried about them ripping up or killing other fish to protect their babies.

I don't know a whole lot about geos, but I do know that EBJD's seem to have a much weaker immune system than standard JDs. And they're also much more expensive. I've not heard anyone speak of having a full grown EBJD before, as much as I'd like to see.

I'm sure somebody else could probably give you more info on what you can do on the tank, but also keep in mind that if the GT's are paired and already pretty old, at that, adding tank mates is not going to be remotely easy. Of course, I have no idea how long you've had them or how long the tank has been up or anything.

thanks for the advice ! it just looks so empty with just them two in it !
they are only young ! male is about 11cm and female about 8cm, they were in a 3ft up untill the weekend that just passed, so 6ft is new with mature filters (done fishless cycle)
i dont want to split them up
or should just go with plecos? i was looking at L333 or L002 but have to read up on them, not sure if they will grow big enough from being eaten

 

[onidrase]

i have a breeding pair of green terrors in a 6ft x 1.5ft x 1.5ft, its just them at the moment, i was looking at a group of some type of geophagus, maybe geophagus tapajo,
i was also looking for a centre cichlid to go there, maybe an electric blue jack dempsey, so my stocking list is

2 x Green terrors (breeding pair)
4 or 5 x Geophagus tapajo
1 x electric blue jack dempsey

any other suggestions or am i fully stocked?

I'd be afraid to put anything but maybe some catfish with a breeding pair of GT's tbh. All cichlids are very territorial when breeding, and I've found that even pairs that aren't breeding are much more aggressive than a single of the same species. Since GT's are already pretty infamously aggressive (though mine has yet to show his mean side) I'd be worried about them ripping up or killing other fish to protect their babies.

I don't know a whole lot about geos, but I do know that EBJD's seem to have a much weaker immune system than standard JDs. And they're also much more expensive. I've not heard anyone speak of having a full grown EBJD before, as much as I'd like to see.

I'm sure somebody else could probably give you more info on what you can do on the tank, but also keep in mind that if the GT's are paired and already pretty old, at that, adding tank mates is not going to be remotely easy. Of course, I have no idea how long you've had them or how long the tank has been up or anything.

thanks for the advice ! it just looks so empty with just them two in it !
they are only young ! male is about 11cm and female about 8cm, they were in a 3ft up untill the weekend that just passed, so 6ft is new with mature filters (done fishless cycle)
i dont want to split them up
or should just go with plecos? i was looking at L333 or L002 but have to read up on them, not sure if they will grow big enough from being eaten

Don't know anything about the suggested plecos, but I do know that any pleco bigger than 4 inches should be safe with the GT's, they're pretty big bulky fish in general.

I think synodontis catfishes, raphael catfishes, or pictus catfishes would be safe. But keep in mind catfishes while being safe with most breeding pairs, will chow down on fish eggs during the night while the parents have their guard down.

You might be able to try silver dollars, but that's a big maybe, definitely wait around for somebody who actually breeds cichlids to give you a more definitive reply.

I totally know how you feel in regards to the tank looking so empty, that's exactly why I don't breed cichlids (aside from the fact I'd have no idea what to do with the babies,) it'd drive me nuts to have a big tank with so few fish

 

[Wills]

Hmmm yeah its a tough one - have they ever been with tank mates before? If so did they tolerate them?

 

[Cichlids_lover1010]

they were with tetras until i noticed a couple missing so i knew it was time to move them to their own tank ! apart from that they have always been on their own
maybe i should take them both back into the 3ft
stock the 6ft and them put one in at a time and maybe the other cichlids have time to pick territories? and at least minimal aggression would be shown?

 

[Wills]

Having them in a larger cichlid community is a definite possibility and there are some stunning tanks out there that mix them really well. Its the breeding pair bit that puts me off knowing what to suggest. Some people have success mixing them with larger Central Americans but the tanks not wide enough for some of the big ones that I would like to suggest.

Only thing I can think of suggesting would be Geophagus Stiendachnary as they can be quite bolshy and given the gregarious nature of geos a trio or quad would work but thats only guess work... Im also wondering what smaller Centrals might work but Im not sure most of them like Convicts, Firemouths would work.


The idea of taking them out might work if they were single species or if they were two males but because they are a breeding pair its not just the aggression issues based on territory and general aggression its the paternal instincts when they breed that kick in that will flare up each time they breed. You would be better off pre empting this with fish that will claim a specific area of the tank and not drift far from it and then the scape of the tank could determine a lot. Read up on the breeding habbits of GTs and then create thata at one end of the tank then recreate the opposite (best you can) at the other end.


Could some kind of Pike Cichlid work? Not sure just an idea I had while typing...

The other two I think could be worth having a think about would be Salvini or Neets - neets are good because they are interesting fish and much tougher than their cousin the Nicaraguan who wouldnt be able to withstand the beating from a GT.


Hmmmm quite a toughy....

Wills

 

[Cichlids_lover1010]

thanks for the advice, im going to read up on the ones you suggested and also breeding habits. if not i got a 4ft lying around at my aunties so i might put them in there and start fresh with the 6ft
i dont want to sell them either as ive fallen in love with them, the colours they show are absolotely stunning.
yeh i agree if it was wider id be puttin an oscar with them and a few bigger cichlids but the width has restricted me

 

[Wills]

thanks for the advice, im going to read up on the ones you suggested and also breeding habits. if not i got a 4ft lying around at my aunties so i might put them in there and start fresh with the 6ft
i dont want to sell them either as ive fallen in love with them, the colours they show are absolotely stunning.
yeh i agree if it was wider id be puttin an oscar with them and a few bigger cichlids but the width has restricted me

I have a similar situation my tanks the same as yours but mines 2 foot tall which isnt really relevant in cichlid tanks. What are the dimensions of the 4 foot - got to be honest thats kind of your best bet IMO but its just a case of two large tanks to maintain.... its a toughy....

Wills

 

[Cichlids_lover1010]

4ft is 4 X 2 X 2 so they have plenty of room in there and they can just be the only ones in there
thanks for the help but

 

[holidayinn]

Personally wouldnt add any other cichlids to a breeding pair, especially those on the lower scale of aggression such as EBJD. Every GT I've had has always turned out to be a trouble maker, never kept a breeding pair, but I'd expect them to be even worse, do you intend to raise the fry from the GT pair? If you do, would recommend no tankmates.

[/quote]
I don't know a whole lot about geos, but I do know that EBJD's seem to have a much weaker immune system than standard JDs. And they're also much more expensive. I've not heard anyone speak of having a full grown EBJD before, as much as I'd like to see.
[/quote]

The fish in my avatar is my old full grown EBJD, will start a thread with some of the pics I have of him, but I no longer keep him Was a beaut!

 

[Cichlids_lover1010]

Personally wouldnt add any other cichlids to a breeding pair, especially those on the lower scale of aggression such as EBJD. Every GT I've had has always turned out to be a trouble maker, never kept a breeding pair, but I'd expect them to be even worse, do you intend to raise the fry from the GT pair? If you do, would recommend no tankmates.


I don't know a whole lot about geos, but I do know that EBJD's seem to have a much weaker immune system than standard JDs. And they're also much more expensive. I've not heard anyone speak of having a full grown EBJD before, as much as I'd like to see.

The fish in my avatar is my old full grown EBJD, will start a thread with some of the pics I have of him, but I no longer keep him Was a beaut!

wow that fish is nice ! but i have done research on them and they do seem weaker than the original jd so as much as i want them i dont want them to just die on me !
yeh ive successfully raised 4 batches from them so far ! roughly 200-300 each batch with little die off due to genetic weakness etc.
i usually move them to a grow out tank when my female starts to get full of eggs again so she can focus on breeding instead of watching the little ones be trouble makers.
currently they are in the 6ft but i do have plans to move them to a 4ft breeding tank where it will be just them