Best tankmates for a Rapps Blue H. Carpintis
- Thread starter pg60
- Start date
I got 5 of these from Jeff Rapps (H. Carpintis) near three months ago. One of them has nearly doubled the rest in size. He also killed off one of the others. I just rehomed the remaining three and will just keep the big one I named Thor as a solo. He was relentlessly chasing nipping the others so I thought it best to not try and breed this little monster. 
He looks a lot like mine, the head profile, I got mine 9 weeks ago. How long is he?
I'm trying to catch up on your helpful thread about raising all of them. Thanks for that!
Mine is scrappy (mostly flaring up) with the other cichlids in the tank. Not sure if he? doesn't like all of them or all of them don't like him. A bigger male Nic in particular was bullying him, moved that Nic today.
I got mine around the 5th or so of September. They were about an inch and half when i got them. Thor is pushing past four inches now.
I agree about the head profile looking male, the gender differences are fairly obvious at only 2".
I also agree the types of Central Americans you have chosen are probably the most difficult to do a community with. They are almost all very territorial, and most of their normal territories would each be more of the 250 gl tank size.
Here is a shot of a male I had half grown.
and a later shot, another third larger, and much taller.
In a tank as small as 75 gal, he would have tolerated no other,
I also agree the types of Central Americans you have chosen are probably the most difficult to do a community with. They are almost all very territorial, and most of their normal territories would each be more of the 250 gl tank size.
Here is a shot of a male I had half grown.
and a later shot, another third larger, and much taller.
In a tank as small as 75 gal, he would have tolerated no other,
Thanks Duane! Those are beautiful fish and make me excited about my own Rapps Carpintis!
I am thankful to have registered/posted here where I have gotten quick & consistent expert advice. I've been member of cichlid-forum since 2006 but it is slow over there compared to MFK. So I'm thankful to be here!
Now that I've gotten such clear consistent advice I have to make plans on how to move forward...
I'm thrilled that my H. Carpintis seems likely to be a male & have him as the main/only fish.
He is pushing 4" (standard length, no tail) but not quite there yet.
So I'll move the GT, Pike, Salvini out. Thinking I could give them away here on the forums? Already approached the only decent LFS around here (Fishheads in Ocala) and they don't want any CA cichlids, said they are 'old school'.
So what, if anything can I add, once the current tank mates are removed?
Maybe 1 Convict & 1 Sajica? I had a Convict in with my Rapps Barred Midas and it did fine. Convicts are *huge* in their own mind's eye. Never had a Sajica.
Would really like to have another fish or 2 in there with him. And thinking I should get things set for the long-term before the Carpintis gets much bigger?
Thanks to everyone for the replies!
I don't believe in a tank "that size", you could add anything except a female.
A dominant male carpintus, is not a community fish, unless the tank is at least double the size.
If it were me, I would get a minimum or 4 (more is better) females, and expect all but 1 to be killed by the male.
Even after 3 spawns with my carpintus pair (after they dispatched all others (started with 8)).
The male killed the female in a 6ft tank.
A dominant male carpintus, is not a community fish, unless the tank is at least double the size.
If it were me, I would get a minimum or 4 (more is better) females, and expect all but 1 to be killed by the male.
Even after 3 spawns with my carpintus pair (after they dispatched all others (started with 8)).
The male killed the female in a 6ft tank.
If keeping the 75 for life I wouldn't add another cichlid. At best maybe a supporting cast of catfish/pleco.
To really get an idea of the fishes final size, go grab a dinner plate and set it against the front glass. Now imagine what it would be like to be that fish.
When I moved my Oscar from a 4ft tank to a 6ft there was massive changes in her attitude and activity level. If there is any way you can upgrade to a 6ft 125gal that would be so much better.
If it's a money issue, look at Craigslist, Offer Up, Letgo. If you hunt around a bit you can find great deals and get your aquatic friend a better home.
I found a 6ft 125gal, tank stand lights for $200
Next was a brand new never used 6ft 125gal, tank stand lights for $400
Deals are out there, just have to look.
To really get an idea of the fishes final size, go grab a dinner plate and set it against the front glass. Now imagine what it would be like to be that fish.
When I moved my Oscar from a 4ft tank to a 6ft there was massive changes in her attitude and activity level. If there is any way you can upgrade to a 6ft 125gal that would be so much better.
If it's a money issue, look at Craigslist, Offer Up, Letgo. If you hunt around a bit you can find great deals and get your aquatic friend a better home.
I found a 6ft 125gal, tank stand lights for $200
Next was a brand new never used 6ft 125gal, tank stand lights for $400
Deals are out there, just have to look.
tank's too small. I think a 125 is a waste of time and money, too. If you want a 6 foot tank, get a 180. That extra 6 inch width is worth every nickel.
I have a 540 gallon tank and I've had to remove fish that can't get along with others. A 75 gallon tank for a fish that will reach 10-12 inches?
I have a 540 gallon tank and I've had to remove fish that can't get along with others. A 75 gallon tank for a fish that will reach 10-12 inches?
