Erik his tank

[Alex Odesit]

Erik, btw, how big is your tank?

[Erik]

I have a tank with size in meters...2.40* length * 0.50 dept * 0.60 high
It's not that much of a dept, but it will do.

[Erik]

Just took some new pics today...

[Erik]

And the last ones...

[Alex Odesit]

nice tank size Erik. Looking forward to see your fish development. Does your Nic's bother Rostratus?

[Erik]

The Nicaraguense are not bothering the rostratus at all. Most of the time the biggest rostratus male thinks he's the big boss in the tank. There's no aggresion at all. Hope it stays that way....

I'm thinking about getting me some other fish, for companion.
Alex what could be an option?

[Alex Odesit]

The Nicaraguense are not bothering the rostratus at all. Most of the time the biggest rostratus male thinks he's the big boss in the tank. There's no aggresion at all. Hope it stays that way....

I'm thinking about getting me some other fish, for companion.
Alex what could be an option?

Hi Erik,
I kept 5 of my A.Rostratus with bunch of T.Helleri, I am saying kept, because I lost most of T.Helleri, I have bad luck with them. But they did fine together, no problems at all.
I also have school of Dimand tetras, and group of Otapa swords. 3 red tailed shark there too, being a very good scavengers.
If you interesting about my opinion for your tank, I would add large group of nice genuine Xiphophorus (sword tails) species.
Don't put other cichlids, that you already have, unless you want to add more A.Rostratus , they love to be in the large group and they look and behave amazing together.
I can't suggest red tail or rainbow sharks, because I am not sure if you like to keep CA tank without mixing fish from other regions, but I found red tailed sharks very useful additions to all of my tanks for years. They don't bother my fish (even many sources suggest that they are aggressive protecting own spots). If they do fight, it's between themselves, until ranking established. They also don't hunt cichlids fry I had and clean places where other fish can’t get.
As for the Tetra's again, if you planning to breed A.Rostratus, tetras may prey on fry and make shy A.Rostratus uncomfortable all together even for breeding attempts, but it's just my assumptions, I didn't have chance to see Rostratus breeding behavior at all.
So, yeah, get more Rostratus and bunch of green swords
Let us know, how you make it out.
Alex

[Erik]

Alex, thanks for de information.
I'm not that fond of swordtails, but maybe i can get over it if i find a nice species.
What i do like is Belonesox belizanus. I think that are very nice fish for the upper tank level as well.
I'm going to read a few items of swordtails....

If i can get a few A.rostratus more that would be very awesome indeed!
But it's a difficult fish to get.

Last night the biggest rostratus was very very exciting. (i didn't see the soccer match because of him). I think he want's to find himself a wife. His colours where allmost black, en he makes lots of holes in the zand. He bounced his head from left to right and shiffering. Later that evening there was an little wife swimming along with him and they both where testing rocks. It was very nice to see that courtship...
I hope this will be a couple.
I keep you posted!

Erik

[Alex Odesit]

Erik, definitely Belonesox belizanus very interesting fish, but it will hunt A.Rostratus fry, they belonesox) are high prolific predators.
You've said that your Rostratus trying to mate??? Wow isn't they too little/too young yet? How big is your fish?
Mine 1.5 y old male a little ober 5" and show no interest to other 4,.... only chase them from time to time
Alex

[Erik]

My fish are indeed very small and young ofcourse. It seems to me the biggest rostratus wants him to find a female partner.
At this morning when the lights from the tank went on, i saw a little tube on the biggest rostratus. Maybe he want to practise?
The size of the biggest fish is about 10 cm

[Marko Lenac]

they must be hormonal treated mine experienced some lip locking yesterday

[Bas Pels]

Don't think so

unless, perhaps other fish in their tank are in heat?????

[Alex Odesit]

they must be hormonal treated mine experienced some lip locking yesterday

Hi Marko,
How many Rostratus do you have, are they large? Post some pictures, I love to see more of those guys
Alex

[Erik]

The fish that Marko has, are brothers and sisters frome mine... It is possible

[Erik]

I can get me some wildcaught Xiphophorus helleri. A guy has a group of 15 - 20 pieces of them. I think i'm gonna introduce these species in my tank.

[Alex Odesit]

I can get me some wildcaught Xiphophorus helleri. A guy has a group of 15 - 20 pieces of them. I think i'm gonna introduce these species in my tank.

good idea, go get those Erik. Don't forget to keep aquarium tightly closed, they are great jumpers. I lost several through the very small opening in tank cover.

[Erik]

There is no escape from my tank, it's like Alcatraz....
Even my lobster dosn't get out from it, and they are very good ecape artists and climbers.

[smitty]

It seem as though those to our east can get fish that we seem to have a problem with getting in the states and they are almost located in our back yard. More power to you.

[Erik]

It seem as though those to our east can get fish that we seem to have a problem with getting in the states and they are almost located in our back yard. More power to you.

I don't understand what this says. Do you mean that it's difficult for you to get Xiphophorus?

[Erik]

I heard that there are 5 rostratus left in the shop where i got mine. I made a reservation for those.
I understood that these are a bit larger, but i think that's not gonna get me in trouble.
With those i have a group of 10 then.....

Can't wait....