Flagtail prochilodus experiment.

[Westieone]

Anybody have experience or know of anyone that has successfully housed multiple flagtail prochilodus? Currently have 360 gallon tank 8x3x2 with a 12” flagtail, 12” Pleco and four 4” clown loaches. Growing out five 1.5” flagtails in a 29 gallon tank currently they are all getting along very well. All research says to keep them as a single or in groups of 6 or more. I know that they can be very aggressive to conspecifics. The one adult 12” I currently have is a very beautiful specimen and it receives lots of compliments from friends & family. So I would love to have group of 5 or 6. Thanks!

 

[FranciscoB]

That is an interesting experiment. I have had flagtails at three different times, always as single fish, mainly due to not having had tanks large enough for more than one.
In nature they are schooling fish, who undergo major migrations related to reproductive seasonality. Several genera in the family do the same, and locals plan fishing events accordingly. I grew up hearing about the subienda (migration) of boca chico (Prochilodus magdalenae and P. nigricans), two very similar fish which support major fisheries, but which are not as colorful as the flagtails.
I too have read that flagtails don’t do well in groups in captivity, but I suspect is due more to tank size than anything else. This is supported from seeing them doing well in huge tanks at public aquaria.
I have had my current fish from 2017, when it arrived at below 3 inches. It approaches 10” now. It eats from my hand and it is a delight to have.

 

[Westieone]

That is an interesting experiment. I have had flagtails at three different times, always as single fish, mainly due to not having had tanks large enough for more than one.
In nature they are schooling fish, who undergo major migrations related to reproductive seasonality. Several genera in the family do the same, and locals plan fishing events accordingly. I grew up hearing about the subienda (migration) of boca chico (Prochilodus magdalenae and P. nigricans), two very similar fish which support major fisheries, but which are not as colorful as the flagtails.
I too have read that flagtails don’t do well in groups in captivity, but I suspect is due more to tank size than anything else. This is supported from seeing them doing well in huge tanks at public aquaria.
I have had my current fish from 2017, when it arrived at below 3 inches. It approaches 10” now. It eats from my hand and it is a delight to have.

That is an interesting experiment. I have had flagtails at three different times, always as single fish, mainly due to not having had tanks large enough for more than one.
In nature they are schooling fish, who undergo major migrations related to reproductive seasonality. Several genera in the family do the same, and locals plan fishing events accordingly. I grew up hearing about the subienda (migration) of boca chico (Prochilodus magdalenae and P. nigricans), two very similar fish which support major fisheries, but which are not as colorful as the flagtails.
I too have read that flagtails don’t do well in groups in captivity, but I suspect is due more to tank size than anything else. This is supported from seeing them doing well in huge tanks at public aquaria.
I have had my current fish from 2017, when it arrived at below 3 inches. It approaches 10” now. It eats from my hand and it is a

That is an interesting experiment. I have had flagtails at three different times, always as single fish, mainly due to not having had tanks large enough for more than one.
In nature they are schooling fish, who undergo major migrations related to reproductive seasonality. Several genera in the family do the same, and locals plan fishing events accordingly. I grew up hearing about the subienda (migration) of boca chico (Prochilodus magdalenae and P. nigricans), two very similar fish which support major fisheries, but which are not as colorful as the flagtails.
I too have read that flagtails don’t do well in groups in captivity, but I suspect is due more to tank size than anything else. This is supported from seeing them doing well in huge tanks at public aquaria.
I have had my current fish from 2017, when it arrived at below 3 inches. It approaches 10” now. It eats from my hand and it is a delight to have.

Francisco,
Thanks for the reply! Sounds like you love flagtails too! My first/current flagtail arrived when it was 2” back in May 2019. Their fast growing and have lots of personality, hand feeding is amazing something I might try. I knew they liked to eat algae, but it surprised me that they will graze on the algae off of the live plants without damaging them.
I would love to have a school of flagtails that get along, but if it doesn’t work out my local fish store will help me find homes for them. Thanks again for the feedback!