What do you guys know about these cichlids?
- Thread starter TheEelKing
- Start date
Okay, I read your post in another thread. You said this:
"My experience with melanura(and any Vieja for that matter) is that they "do" do well with "dis" similar cichlids, and most non-cichlids, but not well with other Vieja or other high bodied similar pan shaped cichlid species. Of course for me, this was in tanks around 150 gallons, but if the tank is 300 gallons plus, there may be enough room for this not to be a problem, in a 125 maybe not.
I agree about the Thorichthys or sometimes Parachromis being suitable
Whether the chocolate is seen as competition is debatable.
If the Vieja does eventually see the chocolate as competition, the chocolate may end up toast.
It will take years, but the clown loaches alone, will outgrow, and become too large for a 125 gal"
When you mention dissimilar fish, would the severums be considered similar or dissimilar? I would assume that a clown knife, datnoid, and a shoal of clown loaches would also be dissimilar, so there would likely be no problem between a CK, dat, clown loaches, and a vieja synsilum, right?
What have you kept with this fish long terms successfully? I've been researching this cichild like mad the past few nights on the internet. There is so much conflicting information about their temperaments.
That’s because there’s no hard and fast rule for any cichlid species when it comes to aggression and suitable tankmates. Cichlids all have different personalities, then you factor in the fact that tank size, number and type of tankmates, and even things like water temperature have some bearing on how fish behave.
The best way to know for sure is to try it, but always have adequate space on hand to be prepared in the event you have to split fish.
I consider severums and Uaru to be similar, they are high bodied, round, with a similar mouth shape.
I believe mouth shape and body shape are taken as cues to determine competition for cichlids.
Piscavores have a different mouth shape because they are predatory, Vieja are omnivores with a tendency toward eating fruits, seeds, algae and plants, like Uaru and severums.
Vieja bifasciata above.
Now some non-similar cichlid shaped bodies, and mouths.
Above an insectivore, and predator Nosferatu bartoni, a more slender body,
Below Parachromis motaguense, predator on insects and small fish, slender streamlined body, quite different than Vieja.
Another obviously non-competitor Paraneetroplus gibbiceps, picks thru the substrate for insects and crustaceans
and below earth eater type, genus Cribroheros rostrum
All cichlids so many similarities other than feeding strategies, but in nature one seldom find those similar feeding strategies together, in the end they compete, until one is successful, and others with are driven out, or killed.
I believe mouth shape and body shape are taken as cues to determine competition for cichlids.
Piscavores have a different mouth shape because they are predatory, Vieja are omnivores with a tendency toward eating fruits, seeds, algae and plants, like Uaru and severums.
Vieja bifasciata above.
Now some non-similar cichlid shaped bodies, and mouths.
Above an insectivore, and predator Nosferatu bartoni, a more slender body,
Below Parachromis motaguense, predator on insects and small fish, slender streamlined body, quite different than Vieja.
Another obviously non-competitor Paraneetroplus gibbiceps, picks thru the substrate for insects and crustaceans
and below earth eater type, genus Cribroheros rostrum
All cichlids so many similarities other than feeding strategies, but in nature one seldom find those similar feeding strategies together, in the end they compete, until one is successful, and others with are driven out, or killed.
I consider severums and Uaru to be similar, they are high bodied, round, with a similar mouth shape.
I believe mouth shape and body shape are taken as cues to determine competition for cichlids.
Piscavores have a different mouth shape because they are predatory, Vieja are omnivores with a tendency toward eating fruits, seeds, algae and plants, like Uaru and severums.
Vieja bifasciata above.
Now some non-similar cichlid shaped bodies, and mouths.
Above an insectivore, and predator Nosferatu bartoni, a more slender body,
Below Parachromis motaguense, predator on insects and small fish, slender streamlined body, quite different than Vieja.
Another obviously non-competitor Paraneetroplus gibbiceps, picks thru the substrate for insects and crustaceans
and below earth eater type, genus Cribroheros rostrum
All cichlids so many similarities other than feeding strategies, but in nature one seldom find those similar feeding strategies together, in the end they compete, until one is successful, and others with are driven out, or killed.
Thanks! You have been very helpful. You know a lot about this vieja synspilum. My experience has only ever been with severums, blood-red parrots, uarus, and geophagus. Can you respond to my other thread here?: https://www.monsterfishkeepers.com/forums/threads/rank-these-cichlids-on-an-aggression-scale.712819/
I would really enjoy having your input.
