Best tankmates for a Rapps Blue H. Carpintis

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I don't necessarily agree that the 75 is too small for the Carpintis.

Lots of research on the internet show 10-12" is a max, not a given. Plenty of antecdoal evidence of some staying at 7 or so, even for males. Lots of Carpintis strains out there & they aren't all the same.

Anyway going with the advice of the seller, Jeff Rapps, who said this batch runs on small side & that a 75 will be fine. Jeff even recommended the Carpintis (out of all the fish in the order) as a candidate for wet-pet in my 55 gallon tank.

For now I've removed the Nic & the Salvini who displayed the most aggression.

Leaving the male Rapps Carpintis (3.5"), female GT (4''), and Jeweled Pike (5" maxes out at 7") for the time being.

The Carpintis is prettiest but the female GT is the most interactive by far, followed by the Pike. My wife loves the GT and she doesn't really like any of my fish, even the reef tanks I had for a while. So might wind up keeping the GT and the Pike making it a SA tank ... I have bought some time to decide.

Thanks to everyone for the opinions and advice!
 
With all due respect to Jeff, I would never keep an adult male H. carpintis in a 55. A 75-90, maybe, mine is in a 125. Of course like anything, bigger is always better. I will add this, while there are different strains, and they aren't all identical gene wise, I think that they're pretty close when it comes to average adult sizes.

https://www.monsterfishkeepers.com/forums/threads/h-carpintis-maximum-size.196585/

With most fish, a lot of it comes down to how long one spends growing them out, and under what conditions. I would expect most males to reach 10", with 12" certainly doable. (as noted in link above)

Good luck.
 
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RD. said:
With all due respect to Jeff, I would never keep an adult male H. carpintis in a 55. A 75-90, maybe, mine is in a 125. Of course like anything, bigger is always better. I will add this, while there are different strains, and they aren't all identical gene wise, I think that they're pretty close when it comes to average adult sizes.

https://www.monsterfishkeepers.com/forums/threads/h-carpintis-maximum-size.196585/

With most fish, a lot of it comes down to how long one spends growing them out, and under what conditions. I would expect most males to reach 10", with 12" certainly doable. (as noted in link above)

Good luck.
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I'd already read that thread you referenced & there are several that say 7 or 8 in addition to 10 or 12. Who knows, not saying he won't get a foot long, just that it's clear as mud (like most things) from searching the net.

In fairness to Jeff he wouldn't have known it was male at the time, still not sure myself but I think you helped me sex him? earlier in the thread. I just remember Jeff saying 'these don't get that big' so maybe he knows the parents. Anyway not trying to argue about it or throw Jeff under the bus, time will tell :)

Maybe I'll wind up keeping the GT instead, I think female GTs also run smaller (and chunkier) than the males?

For now I've bought some time & we'll see how it goes. The fish rarely follow our plans anyway.
 
Sounds good. One thing with online forums is often the people responding, are basing their comments on zero personal experience, like some of the folks in that past discussion. I see that all the time. Either way, good luck!
 
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pg60 said:
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!
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ocala florida?
 
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