Checking Sex Of My Blue Acara

[ChilliPepper]

I mean monsters as in big

Plus hes got it with Rams,Keyholes and Livebearers...that why I said make plans.

You know I love them Minxy lol

I don't think I have any livebearers?!

What would happen with the Rams etc if the worse is she is a GT? Would she still be OK in my 190L?

 

[GGriffin]

I mean monsters as in big

Plus hes got it with Rams,Keyholes and Livebearers...that why I said make plans.

You know I love them Minxy lol

I don't think I have any livebearers?!

What would happen with the Rams etc if the worse is she is a GT? Would she still be OK in my 190L?

The worst that could happen if she is a GT is she kills the other fish. I think they get the name Green Terror for a reason. A GT would get to around 8-12 inches big (Depending at what info source you at) so a 190L probably be on the small side. I have heard 55 gallons is the minimum size but recommended 75 gallons. Not sure if that is USG or Imperial Gal. But I would go with Imp so the fish is more comfortable and has more space.

I sure someone who has more experience with a GT will come along shortly

 

[minxfishy]

Indeed if it is a GT (please get a more recent pic for a proper id), then as it matures you could find it will kill the other cichlids, as the rams, keyholes and even the rest wouldnt stand a chance. I also agree a 190L tank isnt large enough for a full grown GT, 55g 4ft long tank minimum.

 

[ChilliPepper]

Been to my LFS (not the one I bought it from, Seapets) and after looking at their Blue Acaras and GT's I think I have the latter It's the face shape that does it, the Acara is much more blunt but my fish is more like the GT with a longer mouth.

I'm waiting for my camera battery to charge, couldn't get any pics on my other camera, so will post pics once that's done.

As she is only about 3 inches at the moment, am I OK to keep my stock as it is for now? TBh the only fish I am attached to now are the GT/Acara, Keyhole and my Para Pleco (who I presume would be fine either way). I was attached to my old Bolivian Rams but one died for no apparent reason the other week, and the other died shortly after, despite me getting him a companion. I also have a very small gold ram. I do really like my Keyhole as he was a rescue from a 'Pets at Home 75p each tank', he holds his own against the GT/Acara and is about the same size at the moment. Maybe they'd be OK together as they grew up together?

I'm really annoyed I am again in this situation with an unsuitable fish for my tank, even though I tried my best to get things right. I bought this fish when she was very small so would like to hang onto her as I've watched her grow and would love to watch her get to fully grown.

Am I looking at needing a 300L tank for when she is fully grown?

Sorry Mark - seem to have hijacked your thread somewhat

 

[minxfishy]

At 3" it wont be a problem, its when it reaches around 6/7" and maturity starts to set in that it becomes more aggressive and territorial and will become a threat to the rams and keyhole.

Whilst adding them young and growing them up together is usually a good thing, in this case, I doubt it will help much.

For the safety of the others and its long term health, growth and happiness, ideally you need a 4ft x 18" w tank, you may get away with adding some dithers to this tank, like giant danios for example, who are fast and agile enough to get out the way, but certainly no other cichlids. Possibly be fine with the para plec or a BN plec providing they have places of safety to escape to.

Out of interest, without a photo, does it look anything like the fish in my avatar? Because he is a GT, roughtly 4" at present.

 

[ChilliPepper]

Thanks. She looks similar to the fish in your photo, yes.

So if I got a 4ft tank I could only have her and my plec? Doesn't sound much fun Could I not get a Severum or something as well? I know they are called Terrors for a reason but exactly how bad are they on a scale of 1-10, 10 being worse I know it varies from fish to fish, but just so I can weigh up the pros and cons really.

 

[minxfishy]

If you get an aggressive one - 10, it can and will kill anything it doesnt like.

As a I said in a 4ft tank you could add some dithers, trial and error what it will accept, but giant danios were recommended to me as hardy and fast enough, so they would liven up the tank no end.

Oh and a complete no on the Severum, it alone needs a 75g tank, so cramming them both in the 55g would be certain death for the severum.

 

[ChilliPepper]

If I kept her I'd get a 300L anyway. These are the pics, still very dark, but not sure how to rectify that.

Looks like a GT now....

 

[minxfishy]

Oh yes, definately a GT.

 

[ChilliPepper]

So my options are, see if I can swap her for something else, or upgrade tank and rehome all my other fish? Seems I'll have to rehome her. Such a pity as she is so pretty.

 

[minxfishy]

Thats probably your best option, or have two tanks, one just for her and a few dithers/plec.

If it was me, Id get a large tank just for the GT, they are beautiful fish, particularly when full grown and make great wet pets. But of course, not everyone has the money or room for more tanks.

 

[Tropical_Decade]

Just out of interest how big a tank would be required for a single GT as a wet pet? With maybe a pleco in there for clean up purposes?

Cheers

 

[Glenbo1981]

Even tho you are in a situation...I'm really jealous lol! Green terrors to me are the nicest looking freshwater fresh when fully grown and have the best personality to!

 

[Bebobb]

Maybe you could take him back to the LFS. Or try to rehome him If you feel the need for it. It is a shame that they look so much a like, and they are sucha pretty fish, they just get too large for most people and too agressive. Glenbo thought that one of his/her acaraas was a green terror, but then for some reason rehomed it. Glenbo found out it was an acara. That is just too bad, and It does look more like a Green Terror to my untrained eyes.

 

[ChilliPepper]

Not sure what to do I really like my GT, but it's not exactly fair on my other fish to have to rehome them, plus buy a bigger tank anyway.

So Minxfishy - if I got a 500L like yours for example, I could have the GT as well as a Sev and some others?

She's only 3" a the moment, but I did read they reach sexual maturity then, so will she start getting really aggressive? She was only aggressive to a Pearl Cichlid I had, she was mainly protecting the other fish and shrimps. Maybe she was protecting them as she'd like to eat them in future She goes an amazingly dark colour when food is about. She is a stunning fish, and only small still