SA/ CA American Cichlid suggestion for 300 G

[WannabeBigfishKeeper]

Hello Everyone,
This is my first post , so apologies for the mistakes. My 300g tank has a 7yo 8inch parrot, 2 4-5inch buttekoferi, 2 6inch tinfoil barb, 1 5inch severum, 1 7 inch African knife fish. Want to add 2 big cichlids, confused between peacock bass, Red Devil , Jaguar or veija syns.
Tried to add a 6 inch Oscar , that was beaten up. Also tried to add a 5 inch green terror that was killed mostly by the Severum and butterkoferi.

Wanted to know which might be the best match.

 

[danotaylor]

Any time you add a single fish to an established hierarchy it's gonna get targeted and beaten, even in a big tank.
A couple of things you can try if you add only 2 fish;
- buy them as big, or slightly bigger than the existing fish
- remove all the tanks décor (territories)
- add them at the same time, at lights out, and leave the lights out for a few days
- Feed the tank as normal during the day, but leave the lights out, just ambient lighting
- If all is well after a few days, return the décor.

 

[WannabeBigfishKeeper]

Any time you add a single fish to an established hierarchy it's gonna get targeted and beaten, even in a big tank.
A couple of things you can try if you add only 2 fish;
- buy them as big, or slightly bigger than the existing fish
- remove all the tanks décor (territories)
- add them at the same time, at lights out, and leave the lights out for a few days
- Feed the tank as normal during the day, but leave the lights out, just ambient lighting
- If all is well after a few days, return the décor.

Thanks for the tip. Although I had done most of the things that you said. As for the decor I rearranged my driftwood while releasing the new fishes. I released my Oscar and knife fish at once, had to return it as it was getting beaten up. The oscars and green terror that I released were atleast 1-2inches bigger than my existing severum and buttekoferi.

Wanted to add 2 big cichlids(6-7 inch) like peacock bass/ veija syns/ jaguar or Red Devil/midas. Which among these would be the best fit ? Although I’m not as interested in veija. Would like to hear any advice.

 

[CrazyPhishMan]

I’d put the tilapia in an acclimation box for whatever you add.
I think the red devil or jag may be too aggressive.
Hard to source large sized bass but they’re very cool.
I’d so for the vieja type maybe add at a time while the tilapia is on timeout

 

[Cichlids-r-beasts]

From experience, the Buttikoferi will be a problem in the future. At that size is when they really start to raise their aggression level, adding other aggressive species that grow large (>12 inches) like a Red Devil or Jaguar will only cause more trouble imo.

 

[Toby_H]

There's no easy answer...
Within each species, there is a range of aggression/attitude.

Before making any additions, I'd fist establish a holding tank or hospital tank to house problems. If you add a fish and it gets beat up, you may need to isolate him to heal. Or if you add a fish and one exiting fish is doing all the bullying, you may consider isolating the bully for a while.

I have several aquariums with several levels of aggression. It's not terribly uncommon for me to have to move a fish from one tank to another due to social conflict in the tank.

You have increased your odds for success by having such a large tank. You've also received some solid perspectives above.

But one critical detail you're missing... pictures...........