Adding new fish to my 330 gallon

DarylMac

Piranha
MFK Member
Oct 22, 2016
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Here's a link to one of my older threads with some pictures of the tank, I no longer have the wild Oscars had to get rid of them
https://www.monsterfishkeepers.com/forums/threads/my-330-is-finally-up-and-stocked.671129/
Ok. First off, sweet tank & fish!

I have or have had similar stock on last year (Chocolate, Rotkiel, G. Tapajos, G. Winemilleri). You should certainly add live plants if you haven't done so already.

My Rotkiels have always ignored plants (I hear some Sevs eat plants), and my Geos never uprooted them (I have sand substrate, but I protect the roots of my swords by placing small 1cm - 2cm stones around the base).

I think angels would do fine with your Rotties.
 

Mike_G

Black Skirt Tetra
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Oct 10, 2016
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I have a ~2" Rotkeil and a silver dollar size Angel that have been in my 75 gallon tank for about six weeks. The Rotkeil has claimed a large fake slate rock pile in the center of the tank as its territory. It frequently chases the Angel away from there as well as in other parts of the tank. No nipping or biting, but it does run the Angel off frequently. Is this normal or something I need to keep an eye on?
 

DarylMac

Piranha
MFK Member
Oct 22, 2016
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I have a ~2" Rotkeil and a silver dollar size Angel that have been in my 75 gallon tank for about six weeks. The Rotkeil has claimed a large fake slate rock pile in the center of the tank as its territory. It frequently chases the Angel away from there as well as in other parts of the tank. No nipping or biting, but it does run the Angel off frequently. Is this normal or something I need to keep an eye on?
It's both. Cichlids can be territorial, which is normal behaviour... But keep an eye on it because it could be stressful on the Angel (I doubt it though, Angels are cichlids too, and tougher than they look). But if you see the angel hanging out at the top of the tank by a filter intake, it's probably too stressed.
 
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Mike_G

Black Skirt Tetra
MFK Member
Oct 10, 2016
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It's both. Cichlids can be territorial, which is normal behaviour... But keep an eye on it because it could be stressful on the Angel (I doubt it though, Angels are cichlids too, and tougher than they look). But if you see the angel hanging out at the top of the tank by a filter intake, it's probably too stressed.
Thanks. I knew about the territoriality, but I wasn't expecting it so young among Rotkeils. The Angel swims all over the tank, but it quickly scoots away when the Rotkeil chases. They're both really cool fish, but like the OP I'm looking for a relatively peaceful tank. The Rotkeil or the Angel will move to a 125 in a couple/few weeks, but for now they're stuck with each other.

I really like your Rotkeil in the other recent thread. Hope mine grows up to look like that.
 

Fishnthehood

Candiru
MFK Member
Jan 21, 2010
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Chino, CA
Ok. First off, sweet tank & fish!

I have or have had similar stock on last year (Chocolate, Rotkiel, G. Tapajos, G. Winemilleri). You should certainly add live plants if you haven't done so already.

My Rotkiels have always ignored plants (I hear some Sevs eat plants), and my Geos never uprooted them (I have sand substrate, but I protect the roots of my swords by placing small 1cm - 2cm stones around the base).

I think angels would do fine with your Rotties.
Haven't added plants but will be doing so soon and using these to anchor them, what would you recommend
https://www.bing.com/images/search?...08017768109508443&selectedIndex=43&ajaxhist=0
 

Fishnthehood

Candiru
MFK Member
Jan 21, 2010
839
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Chino, CA
I have a ~2" Rotkeil and a silver dollar size Angel that have been in my 75 gallon tank for about six weeks. The Rotkeil has claimed a large fake slate rock pile in the center of the tank as its territory. It frequently chases the Angel away from there as well as in other parts of the tank. No nipping or biting, but it does run the Angel off frequently. Is this normal or something I need to keep an eye on?
Yo did you just come in my thread and try to hijack it????
I Kid ... I Kid .... post some pictures of your tank would love to see the Sev's and Angels
 

Mike_G

Black Skirt Tetra
MFK Member
Oct 10, 2016
37
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13
Yo did you just come in my thread and try to hijack it????
I Kid ... I Kid .... post some pictures of your tank would love to see the Sev's and Angels
Haha. Sorry. Your thread has been a great read and very educational for me.

We have the same taste in fish...aquarium fish anyway. Severum (all types) and Angels have quickly become my favorite fish. I'd like to do the same thing you're thinking about (Geos, Sevs, Angels) but at a 1/3 scale in a 125.

I'll try to post a pic for you after I've cleaned the algae scuzz off the Rottie's rock this weekend. Getting those two to stay still together is tougher than my getting my kids to do it when they were 2 and 3 yrs old.
 

Fishnthehood

Candiru
MFK Member
Jan 21, 2010
839
82
46
Chino, CA
Haha. Sorry. Your thread has been a great read and very educational for me.

We have the same taste in fish...aquarium fish anyway. Severum (all types) and Angels have quickly become my favorite fish. I'd like to do the same thing you're thinking about (Geos, Sevs, Angels) but at a 1/3 scale in a 125.

I'll try to post a pic for you after I've cleaned the algae scuzz off the Rottie's rock this weekend. Getting those two to stay still together is tougher than my getting my kids to do it when they were 2 and 3 yrs old.
I can't tell you the number of threads I'm hijacked asking for insight or just being nosey.

Are you Rottie's male and female? I have three and have been trying to determine who is what but with no luck.
 

DarylMac

Piranha
MFK Member
Oct 22, 2016
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Okay, I think those coconut half shells would work - but you don't need to spend any money on plant anchors!

I used small stones, like the size of an almond to an apricot pit.. Just enough to protect the roots.

Honestly though you wouldn't even need that if you could give the plants time time to root themselves; but who has the patience for that?

As for Sexing your Rotties's; in my experience the males have more squiggly lines on their face, and the females have less (or none). You can't use dorsal & anal fin extensions as a reliable indicator because I've had a female with really long fin extensions, but the "squiggles" seem to work as a reliable indicator. I'll see if I can find a Photo of my old WC female...

As for my Rotkiel; I sold him last night.. He's gone to a very good owner with a 210g tank (mines only a 135g)... I am making room to switch gears and get some GT's.
 
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Fishnthehood

Candiru
MFK Member
Jan 21, 2010
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Chino, CA
Okay, I think those coconut half shells would work - but you don't need to spend any money on plant anchors!

I used small stones, like the size of an almond to an apricot pit.. Just enough to protect the roots.

Honestly though you wouldn't even need that if you could give the plants time time to root themselves; but who has the patience for that?

As for Sexing your Rotties's; in my experience the males have more squiggly lines on their face, and the females have less (or none). You can't use dorsal & anal fin extensions as a reliable indicator because I've had a female with really long fin extensions, but the "squiggles" seem to work as a reliable indicator. I'll see if I can find a Photo of my old WC female...

As for my Rotkiel; I sold him last night.. He's gone to a very good owner with a 210g tank (mines only a 135g)... I am making room to switch gears and get some GT's.
GT's love them and was looking for smaller one with a hump before I went Geo.
 
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