Gold Saum

[rrcoolj]

Dither fish are actually fish that swim out in the open to bring shy fish out of hiding.

You want target fish which are fast swimming fish designed to distract the pair from fighting each other and give them a "common enemy" to defend their fry from. Silver dollars are great I have them in my 125 although I am thinking of switching to rainbowfish. They are fast moving and can take a hit. I think that your tank will be fine for a small school.

 

[Aquanero]

A pair of GTs in a 75 can work, provided you have a place for the female to retreat to that the male can't fit into if he starts to get too ruff, otherwise it might not end well for the female. A male convect is a great target fish to help bond the pair if needed. I've been using Mollies in my GT tank for a while with good results 2 males and 6 females works for me, I introed the Mollies while the GTs were still relativly small so they are used to them being there and don't view the adults as a food source. As a matter of fact they hardly even eat the babys anymore. IMO Silver Dollars and a pair of GTs in a 75 will look over crowded but that's up to you. A 75 is really the smallest tank I would even consider for this, with good filtration and water changes but just as important will be the set-up and the ability of the female to escape to a safe place. Good Luck.

 

[Mr. Rain Cloud]

Awesome advice guys, thank you so much.

I'll do my best for the aquascaping with caves and driftwood. I have reserved two gold saums from a lfs and I have a week to prepare for them. I do agree that the silver dollars might take too much space, so I will do further research into suitable dithers(while keeping it from the same region/area). Since I only have a week I have to get the dither/s first so that, imo, the gold saums won't be as aggressive to the smaller fish.

Will be my natural gravel substrate(with flourite mixed in) be good for the gold saum? Should I get some type of black/darker gravel for it(for it's colors)?

P.S. Will the gold saums be able to reach maximum size in a 75g(assuming I provide excellent maintenance and care, which I will)?

 

[Mr. Rain Cloud]

Please read above post also.

Some possibilities for tank mates based on location(mostly from Peru):
Please give me a simple No or Yes answer(if you'd like to explain why or why not, please do so).


Red-Eyed Tetras http://www.aquahobby.com/gallery/e_Moenkhausia_sanctaefilomenae.php
Neon Tetras http://www.aquahobby.com/gallery/e_Neon_Tetra_Paracheirodon_innesi.php
Pink Tail Chalceus http://www.aquahobby.com/gallery/e_chalceus.php
L204/Flash Pleco http://www.aquahobby.com/gallery/e_Flash_Pleco_L204.php
Pimelodus Pictus http://www.aquahobby.com/gallery/e_pictus.php
Zebra Oto http://www.aquahobby.com/gallery/e_zebraoto.php


P.S. Just hoping for a compatibility success on the tetras

 

[xinchavoc]

Awesome advice guys, thank you so much.

I'll do my best for the aquascaping with caves and driftwood. I have reserved two gold saums from a lfs and I have a week to prepare for them. I do agree that the silver dollars might take too much space, so I will do further research into suitable dithers(while keeping it from the same region/area). Since I only have a week I have to get the dither/s first so that, imo, the gold saums won't be as aggressive to the smaller fish.

Will be my natural gravel substrate(with flourite mixed in) be good for the gold saum? Should I get some type of black/darker gravel for it(for it's colors)?

P.S. Will the gold saums be able to reach maximum size in a 75g(assuming I provide excellent maintenance and care, which I will)?

It will take the gold saums a while to reach their max size the male should grow fast up to about 8" after that the growth slows down tremendously.... Patience is the key when growing out gold saums.... an adult 10-12" male is easily one of the nicest cichlids

 

[rrcoolj]

Please read above post also.

Some possibilities for tank mates based on location(mostly from Peru):
Please give me a simple No or Yes answer(if you'd like to explain why or why not, please do so).


Red-Eyed Tetras http://www.aquahobby.com/gallery/e_Moenkhausia_sanctaefilomenae.php
Neon Tetras http://www.aquahobby.com/gallery/e_Neon_Tetra_Paracheirodon_innesi.php
Pink Tail Chalceus http://www.aquahobby.com/gallery/e_chalceus.php
L204/Flash Pleco http://www.aquahobby.com/gallery/e_Flash_Pleco_L204.php
Pimelodus Pictus http://www.aquahobby.com/gallery/e_pictus.php
Zebra Oto http://www.aquahobby.com/gallery/e_zebraoto.php


P.S. Just hoping for a compatibility success on the tetras

Lol I cannot believe you put otos on that list. If my old 4in anglefish could eat those in one night then the GT will make short work of them. Honestly everything on your list is too small except for the chalceus. But IMO they get too big for your tank. You don't have the space to do the whole biotope thing. You are more than likely going to have to go with something that isn't from the same region as the gold saums.

 

[Mr. Rain Cloud]

Lol I cannot believe you put otos on that list. If my old 4in anglefish could eat those in one night then the GT will make short work of them. Honestly everything on your list is too small except for the chalceus. But IMO they get too big for your tank. You don't have the space to do the whole biotope thing. You are more than likely going to have to go with something that isn't from the same region as the gold saums.

I see, I really like the PTChalceus also. My thought was it would be alright since the chalceus would stay at the top while the pair would swim at the middle & bottom.

I'll broaden my search to Amazon

P.S. If it comes down to it, I'll just keep one male gold saum... with a Pink Tail Chalceus?

P.P.S. Sweet tegu + home!

 

[rrcoolj]

I see, I really like the PTChalceus also. My thought was it would be alright since the chalceus would stay at the top while the pair would swim at the middle & bottom.

I'll broaden my search to Amazon

P.S. If it comes down to it, I'll just keep one male gold saum... with a Pink Tail Chalceus?

P.P.S. Sweet tegu + home!

If I remember right chalceus get to like 10". That would be a lot with a pair in a 75 and trust me when guarding fry they will take the majority of the tank. Since you can only keep chalceus singly or in large groups, i think one would get picked on too much in that tank. One with one gold saum might work. They are super skittish though.

Oh and thanks for the compliment on the tegu .

 

[Mr. Rain Cloud]

Anytime, I appreciate your help as well . I might not be ready for breeding a pair yet so I might keep a gold saum and the pink tail chalcheus. Regarding the L204/Flash Pleco, will it survive in the tank with the other two?

http://www.aquahobby.com/gallery/e_Flash_Pleco_L204.php

I'm guessing the amount of stress from breeding would depend on the tank set up, the tank size, the pair, and luck as well? Would breeding be a good source of extra money? Is it worth the trouble?

 

[Mr. Rain Cloud]

I would also like to know:

Which plants, if any, would be suitable for having green terrors around?
Which substrate would be best?
Do they like playing with sand?

Thank you.