Vieja In A 55 Gal

[LIflynn]

Hi i have a 125 gal running with peaceful timid cichlids which include keyholes angelfish and uaru but i also have a 55 gal but theres nothing in it and i want it to be like a solitary species tank maybe two vieja argentea. They have some really nice ones at the lfs. I was thinking maybe texas cichlids too but the vieja argentea is very nice i would only put a two in of either or. If you guys dont think its suitable enough what would you recommend in a solitary type set up for a 55 gal. I only want like two fish in there.I also want them to be a decent size and more on the aggressive side because i already have the docile 125 gal. Thanks

 

[hamfist]

A 55 is too small for even one Vieja. Also too small for an adult male tex.

I'd look at a male green terror, or a pair. Another option would be a pair of JD's.

The problem with two of many aggressive species in a smallish tank is that they will almost be guaranteed to fight (quite possibly to the death). SOme species do pair off relatively peacefully, and I would stick to those species if you are dead set on more than one fish. GT's would suit your tank very well.

Unfortunately a 55 is simply too small for many/most of the recognised "big" cichlids.

 

[LIflynn]

thamks for the help i do love green terrors always wanted them but never had the compatibility set with the other fish. ill get two gts and throw in about five tiger barbs.

 

[LIflynn]

Would a buttikoferi work in a 55 gal or no to that i think ill just stick to the green terrors but i like buttikoferi too

 

[hamfist]

Would a buttikoferi work in a 55 gal or no to that i think ill just stick to the green terrors but i like buttikoferi too

No, Butti's get absolutely enormous !!! You need a 120 Gallon before you can even start to think about one of them.

 

[I Keep Fish]

A 55 is too small for even one Vieja. Also too small for an adult male tex.

I'd look at a male green terror, or a pair. Another option would be a pair of JD's.

The problem with two of many aggressive species in a smallish tank is that they will almost be guaranteed to fight (quite possibly to the death). SOme species do pair off relatively peacefully, and I would stick to those species if you are dead set on more than one fish. GT's would suit your tank very well.

Unfortunately a 55 is simply too small for many/most of the recognised "big" cichlids.

I agree with Vieja being too big, but i've had Texas in 36x18x18 (about 50 gallon?) and they've been comfortable as a pair, bred, had young, raised young, sold young on. Texas don't require massive tanks.

 

[hamfist]

but i've had Texas in 36x18x18 (about 50 gallon?) and they've been comfortable as a pair, bred, had young, raised young, sold young on. Texas don't require massive tanks.

Gotta remember that most fish can breed way, way before they get anywhere near full size.
A full size male texas is a good foot long, and chunky as hell. Way to big for a 50 gallon tank IMO.

 

[I Keep Fish]

but i've had Texas in 36x18x18 (about 50 gallon?) and they've been comfortable as a pair, bred, had young, raised young, sold young on. Texas don't require massive tanks.

Gotta remember that most fish can breed way, way before they get anywhere near full size.
A full size male texas is a good foot long, and chunky as hell. Way to big for a 50 gallon tank IMO.

Good point, Terry (his name haha) was about 8" when he bred