B Acara Or G.t.?

[onidrase]

I've only read like 3 posts on my days of the internet of green terror actually being terrors. But at the same time, I don't think they'd make good tank mates for keyhole cichlids, even if they're not as extremely aggressive as people seem to say, they're still very boisterous, and keyholes are kinda timid.

I'd honestly rehome it. What are the other fish i your tank, anyway? Thinking of keyholes I think of other tank mates being cories and smaller tetras, which would all end up food for a GT anyway.

There's 2 Keyholes, 8 Cherry Barbs, and an Albino Bristlenose. I wanted a med sized centre piece fish the would be ok with the Keyholes & was told Blue Acara's have quite chilled temperaments, hence the purchase. I called the guy I got him from (although it seems "him" should be "her" so Proxo informs me!)today and he was adamant that it's a B.A.& that he hasn't had GT's "for a good while". He's invited me to pop down with the fish, or pics of the fish, tomorrow for a chat.
Not sure what to do as he/she is an attractive fish, but I couldn't let anything happen to my Keyholes.... uncertain & undecided....

those cherry barbs are going to be a delicious snack for the GT soon enough, just throwing that in there. Blu acaras would most likely even take a few.

Med sized center piece fish that would be more worth looking into imo would be an angelfish, A honduran red point (just make sure it's not a convict!) or a festivum. Red Shouldered severum might also work, depending on how big your tank is, as severums all get quite round and pretty large. Turquoise and gold severums get pretty huge, but I believe that red shouldered sevs stay smaller.

Those are just the ones that come into mind, but I definitely don't see cherry barbs working with acaras or GT's in the long run. And I still have doubts that a GT and keyhole will work together.

 

[Dieses Madchen]

TO answer you r question onidrase, i do not see a black spot on my female. At least not as define on the male. I did notice the the strip on top of her dorsal fin is white, not orange.

 

[Proxo]

I've got a female with silver dorsal fin and another with an orange dorsal fin, not really sure on that one
If you can see my forum signature too, there's a picture of my male and female with that black spot showing well.

 

[Dieses Madchen]

I love the gt's in your signature. I hope my male develops that handsom knotch on his forehead. but I think mine are only about 8 months old

 

[dougie]

Thanks for the suggestions Onidrase, I'll check out a couple of my Lfs, I've a few to choose from. In answer to your question, my tank is 44.8 (UK gal) or 53.9 (US Gal). The barbs came with the tank - I took it off my brother's hands when he upgraded. The red shouldered sevs look beautiful, but I've looked around & seen differing opinions on adult size. I'd like whichever I settle on to be happy in its new home. I'm meeting the supplier of the GT/BA tomorrow. I'll decide then on which way to go. Really appreciate everyone's advice, if anyone has anymore suggestions or feedback, more than gratefull!
Cheers.

 

[onidrase]

Thanks for the suggestions Onidrase, I'll check out a couple of my Lfs, I've a few to choose from. In answer to your question, my tank is 44.8 (UK gal) or 53.9 (US Gal). The barbs came with the tank - I took it off my brother's hands when he upgraded. The red shouldered sevs look beautiful, but I've looked around & seen differing opinions on adult size. I'd like whichever I settle on to be happy in its new home. I'm meeting the supplier of the GT/BA tomorrow. I'll decide then on which way to go. Really appreciate everyone's advice, if anyone has anymore suggestions or feedback, more than gratefull!
Cheers.

It's usually not best to really take LFS advice on stocking and such, they usually don't know a whole lot about what they're talking about. And cases like these are not uncommon, where they sell you something and it turns out to be something different and they deny it cause the label on the tank says so. I still say rehome it just to be on the safe side. I honestly don't think It's worth potentially losing barbs and battered or dead keyholes in the future to try and give it a go.

There are -chances- it might work, but GT's from what I've been seeing are mighty unpredictable, and seem to snap and get all terrory around 5 or 6 inches. And from what I know from keyholes, they're not really aggressive enough to stand up for themselves against bigger fish like convicts and firemouths and salvinis can.

 

[star4]

As everyone else has said its a GT, blue acara can also be quite boisterous especially with keyholes. Where abouts in Birmingham are you? I have some aquidenes metae available if your interested.

 

[dougie]

Hi Star4,
Yardley/Sheldon. I'd definitely be interested, thanks! Looking at different sites, it seems A. Metae will be ok with my Keyholes...?
Due to the overwhelming advice, the fish in question is going back to the supplier tomorrow....

 

[dougie]

Just to let you know that the GT went back. Guy was not very happy to have his knowledge or fish questioned to say the least!
Thanks to Star4 I now have 2 beautiful young Aequidens metae who I'm sure will be great additions. After seeing the parent fish (stunning) definitely made the right decision. Thanks to all for your input, really appreciated it!
Cheers
Dougie.

 

[balajake]

I've done abit of research and im sorry to say that i think it is 100% a blue acara. i didnt think so at first but i was wrong.

 

[onidrase]

I've done abit of research and im sorry to say that i think it is 100% a blue acara. i didnt think so at first but i was wrong.

I still think it's a GT. Regardless of whether it's a GT or BA, neither of them are really compatible with keyholes and cherry barbs.

 

[dougie]

Well it's gone back now, shame as it was a nice fish. I don't think I'll be on the suppliers Christmas card list now...
Got to say though it all worked out. The 2 A. Metae I picked up are really pretty fish. Well pleased!

 

[star4]

Glad you like them

 

[dougie]

Glad you like them

Love them! They're looking good & after a day of shyness, are out & about. The bigger of the two especially. Haven't managed to get them to take pellets or sticks yet, but the bloodworm is a winner....
Took the opportunity to move things around & rearrange the 'furniture'. Had no issues with the Keyholes at all. A little posturing from the dominant one, but they're all milling around together. Beauties! Hopefully with a bit of luck I've got a male & female. Fingers crossed... Thanks again!

 

[star4]

They will probably take a few days to settle, bloodworm is always a winner try some tetra prima also they love that too. Glad the introduction went ok, I didnt think there would be a problem with the keyholes, the metae are a far more relaxed cichlid, its such a shame they are so rare in the hobby.