Basket Mouth Cichlids

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_Jessica_

Feeder Fish
MFK Member
Jan 22, 2010
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Just came upon one of these at a LFS...I was very tempted but even the knowledgeable staff weren't 100% sure on temperament. From what I'm reading the whole family dosen't get very large (more than 10") but there is next to nothing out there on the temperament. Of course they will eat small fish, but does anyone know if they tend to be bullies? Would severums and the like be compatible? There really isn't much on the net about them..
 
depends on which species it is. basket mouth could refer to petenia splendida or one of the caquetaia species like myersi, kraussi etc.
 
It could also refer to Acaronia, which are another basketmouth cichlid. From what I've read, Acaronia are very similar in temperament to things like acaras and severums. They are said to be feisty but would probably do okay with larger cichlids. I've seen them for sale a few times but never jumped on the chance to get any because they don't seem to have very impressive color.
 
_Jessica_;4695354; said:
I'm almost positive this was "caquetaia myersi". :D
these are one of my favorites, i got two from rapps a few years back and lost my last one two summers ago, really cool fish.
mine did well with severums, sveni pikes, a mayan, young cichla, GT, and blue acara. they were not really aggressive with tankmates except for with members of their own species. mine weren't picky with food or water chemistry (i kept them at a neutral ph and about 78-80 degrees)
if you have the room i would highly reccomend getting one
 
I have three wild Acaronia in my 125g with various Krobia, Geos, Acaras, Festivums and other similar stuff... They've got the protrusable mouth but otherwise quite similar in temperment to the others. I started with 4 little ones a couple of years ago and now the biggest is about 5"-6"...and the other two are about 3-4"... a runty one got whacked a few months ago..

No experience with Caquetia, other than that they get big and eat whatever they can :)

Matt
 
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