SA/ CA American Cichlid suggestion for 300 G

[troublesum]

I'm sorry to be the one to inform you i know 300 gallons is a big tank but you cant add any more fish especially RDs, Jags, Midas.
Those Butti will grow and and want that tank for there self they get between 14-16in.
That Sev and parrot will get smoked once the buttis mature

 

[mattison187]

i agree with the above post. a typical butti will eventually flip the switch and try to take out the rest of the tank. granted there are exceptions here and there, but typically then end up needing solitary confinement.

 

[WannabeBigfishKeeper]

All individuals are different, having owned a Buttikoferi, multiple Jags and one Red Devil, I would say it’s more like Buttikoferi>/=Red Devil>Jaguar>>>>>>>>everything else

Damn, I knew Buttis would be aggressive but not that much. All I can hope for is they turn out to be mild-tempered in my case else I would have to return them.

 

[WannabeBigfishKeeper]

when you say severum, are you referring to the bloody parrot?

Nope, the gold severum is up top in the pics

 

[PhishMon84]

Nope, the gold severum is up top in the pics

sorry didnt see it!

 

[WannabeBigfishKeeper]

I'm sorry to be the one to inform you i know 300 gallons is a big tank but you cant add any more fish especially RDs, Jags, Midas.
Those Butti will grow and and want that tank for there self they get between 14-16in.
That Sev and parrot will get smoked once the buttis mature

Thanks for the advice. A few questions though.
1. If the buttis become aggressive, I would have to return it anyways. Would it be better to try and get a couple of bass/ 1 jag/ RD/ veija of a bit larger size to grow out with them. As if I return the buttis after they are 9-10 inches , it would be difficult to get new fishes that can go with the severum as they would be bigger by that time too.


2. The buttis currently just chase each other sometimes and leave the rest of tank alone, I don't think they are a pair. So what is the probability they they continue to leave the other fishes alone when they grow up. I have seen huge buttis with similar size parrots, I understand each fish is different, one can only hope.

Can't give up the blood parrot as it has been with me for the last 7-8 years

 

[troublesum]

We all say each fish can be different but you have 2 Buttis check Buttis on YT i have seen many videos of Buttis killing other fish so maybe you got 1 chill butti but then you have 2. IMO buttis are on a whole different level then RDs, Jags when they mature. If it was me i would go with a bass or 2 and the Rds and jags and a mid size catfish for the bottom

 

[Cal Amari]

If you want a community tank even in one that size you might be better off with milder fish to begin with. Chocolate cichlids, geophagus, severums, parrots I believe, but havent kept, etc.

 

[Cichlids-r-beasts]

No fish in there currently would be able to handle the aggression from those Butti. If you add a RD or Managuense then they’d be able to hold their own (if they’re males) but then that would be turning your 300g into a war zone, scales flying, torn fins and damaged lips from lip locking. It would be a very stressful situation for both you and the fish.

Buttikoferi get absolutely massive btw, my female was hovering around the 12 inch mark and I’ve seen individuals over 16 inches. In a 300g both your Buttikoferi will have a good chance of getting to that size.

 

[WannabeBigfishKeeper]

Thanks everyone. So for now I would not add any new fish and observe the behaviour of buttis. If/once they get too aggressive, the best thing to do would be to exchange them with bass.