herichthys labridens dilemma...

Kayden

Plecostomus
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Jul 12, 2018
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I finally found a place that sells my dream fish herichthys labridens. I am debating on getting 5-6 and growing them out to attempt getting a pair. Problem is I only have a 55 gal. Max size is only about 8.5 inches so I would assume that they would be fine until I could sex them or a pair forms. Also post pictures if you have these awesome (and endangered) fish!
 

duanes

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I have kept at least 3 species from the labridens group, they need very clean flowing water, so lots of water changes (I was doing at least 30% every other day).
I have found they are very territorial and aggressive with each other, so need for space seems imperative.
A 55 might work a while, but my experience is ...not for very long.
My "yellows" started intimidating, and thus killing each other at a very young age

"yellow"above.
The ones below, I smartened up, and keep only compatible pairs to a tank.
Pantostictus below

Below "white labridens" or now H.pame

same kind of thing with a close cousin, Nosferatu ( H) bartoni

below female pame' in spawning dress, with courting male.
 
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Kayden

Plecostomus
MFK Member
Jul 12, 2018
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Arkansas
I have kept at least 3 species from the labridens group, they need very clean flowing water, so lots of water changes (I was doing at least 30% every other day).
I have found they are very territorial and aggressive with each other, so need for space seems imperative.
A 55 might work a while, but my experience is ...not for very long.
My "yellows" started intimidating, and thus killing each other at a very young age

"yellow"above.
The ones below, I smartened up, and keep only compatible pairs to a tank.
Pantostictus below

Below "white labridens" or now H.pame

same kind of thing with a close cousin, Nosferatu ( H) bartoni

below female pame' in spawning dress, with courting male.
I was aware of such as I know they are endemic to only media Luna. And would rig the tank for auto water changes like the rest of my aquariums. Two 300 gph flow canisters and a power head would also be equipment I would use. The only issue I have is space. The aggressiveness would be the only thing holding me back because I 100 percent want a pair of the yellows and death might get in the way of that. Do you think if I scraped it so they were able to hide a lot and divide territory that would work better?
 

duanes

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Mine were in a 6 ft tank, with lots of wood, and rock, and they seemed to search each other out.
My aim was to end up with a pair, out of the 8 "media luna" I started with.
I ended up with 1, hope you have better luck than I did.
I will admit, I expect this from almost every cichlid I try, and am pleasantly surprised when it goes better than I expect.
 
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fishhead0103666

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May 14, 2018
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Is space and or money holding you back? If so you might want to look into stock tanks.
 

jonclark96

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I don't think a 55 is a good solution, regardless of your set up and filtration. Years ago, i had a group of the blue labridens in a 180. The fish were relatively young, only around 3"-4", and they were rough on each other. In a smaller tank, I think that the dominant fish would have killed the others quickly.
 

Kayden

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Jul 12, 2018
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Thank you all for the input! I’m probably gonna stick with a less aggressive cichlid. Preferably one I can sex. And hold of on the labridens dream until later.
 
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