Best Options For A 55usg

[dcarmor927]

Ok...so i've given this option a little thought and i decided i want to go with

2 Convicts (M&F)
1 Green Terror
1 Salvini
1 Pterygoplichthys scrophus (chocolate Pleco (Which i already have))

do you think this would work? or should i change the GT to a Blue acara?
I want the Cons and the Salvini for sure

 

[shroob]

Ok...so i've given this option a little thought and i decided i want to go with

2 Convicts (M&F)
1 Green Terror
1 Salvini
1 Pterygoplichthys scrophus (chocolate Pleco (Which i already have))

do you think this would work? or should i change the GT to a Blue acara?
I want the Cons and the Salvini for sure

Definately won't work.

The convicts will own the tank, the green terror will be placid until it reaches 6"-7" then it 'snaps' and justifices the word 'terror' in its name. Salvini's can also be hit and miss, they have the teeth to back it up as well. The plec might get mauled as well.

If you're set on the cons and salvini then thats what I would do, 1 con and 1 salvini. They are aggressive fish and need their space. They might even pair up knowing convicts so I would try and get the same sex fish.

 

[foley69]

yea get a salvini and a con and i think the plec would be fine in there as well providing filtration is on fire then you will be okay

 

[dcarmor927]

damn...i well i got one convict yesterday and he is really chill...he hasnt hassled any fish in the tank...im taking out the tiger barbs today and re homing them...My LFS actually has a salvini in right now, so i might get that while im out there...

how fast do the cons and salvini grow?
is it still about high protein and higher temps?

the tank seems like it would be empty with 2 3" fish and a hiding pleco...but i know they need the space to grow

 

[shroob]

damn...i well i got one convict yesterday and he is really chill...he hasnt hassled any fish in the tank...im taking out the tiger barbs today and re homing them...My LFS actually has a salvini in right now, so i might get that while im out there...

how fast do the cons and salvini grow?
is it still about high protein and higher temps?

the tank seems like it would be empty with 2 3" fish and a hiding pleco...but i know they need the space to grow

Sals grow fairly slow/average (compared to other NW cichlids like oscars), probably same growth rate as a JD.
To promote faster growth have a good varied diet and plenty of water changes.

Tank will seem empty, but as you said the fish will grow to fill the space. You could leave the tiger barbs in as dithers, however there is a chance (a fairly good chance) the salvini will kill them as it matures - so a risk thats up to you.

 

[dcarmor927]

alright...thanks for the info! i think the one they had was like 4 inches...i hope...i want it to be somewhat big...well i am kinda trading the TBs for the Salvini...

 

[dcarmor927]

are there any other fish that i could keep as dithers...Neons or something?

 

[shroob]

Wouldn't recommend neons, too small. Something deeper bodied and fast would be the best. People often use giant danio's, buenos aires tetra, zebra danios to black widow tetras. For your tank I'd be looking at giant danio's or buenos aireas tetra due to their larger size. I have heard someone talking about their salvini (can't remember if it was on this forum or another) chasing the black widow tetras they had as dithers and the salvini catching them but being too small to eat them chewing off their heads. So anything is a risk really, depends on how aggressive your salvini is and capable as a hunter to the success of dithers.

 

[dcarmor927]

Thanks for the info...i still have my clown loaches in the 55...none are larger than 3 inches atm, should be getting them rehomed monday...but the salvini has been pretty laid back, he just chills under a rock and comes out when ever something gets too close to him, then he goes back in...i do like the black widows (black skirts) the best...ill think about getting some when i get rid of my clowns...man i wish i had a bigger tank for the clowns, i love those little guys...

Thanks for the help