GT tankmate?

[manfish]

I have a 7" Green Terror I have raised from 2". As he grew he became more aggressive. Over the past few months he has killed 2 large oscars (10") and a 7" blood parrot. I really don't want to get rid of him, he's such a good looking fish, but my 125g tank looks empty and boring.

Could someone please suggest a tank mate or two that may survive this monster. Any help will be appreciated.

Thank You,
Fran

[manfish]

From what I can see, I've had 16 views and no suggestions. I guess there isn't a fish compatable with a green terror, at least not this one. should I get rid of it? I really don't want a species tank. It's a shame because his colors are absolutely beautiful.

[peifc]

I have my GT lives with Carpintis.

[NickH]

There are many cichlids that may cohabitate with your GT. For example, a Chocolate cichlid, Jack Dempsey, Salvini, Convict, Texas cichlid, Trimac, Blackbelt, Red Devil, etc., etc, etc.

Oscars are not very aggressive. And size doesn't always matter regarding fish dominance. Do some research! There are plenty of cichlids out there, especially for your size tank.

What is your tank water like? PH, hardness, temperature, etc.

[ScottoMacD]

I have found with some of my nasty fish that the introduction of the new fish is the key to success.

A couple of things that I have done are
1) while floating the new guy rearranging the tank to remove any set territories then releaseing the new fellow to a territory free tank. Everyone starts from scratch.

2) In particularly nasty cases I have netted the fish and placed him in a bag floating next to the new guy. Then rearranged the tank. Release the new guy first after a few more minutes release the other fish. That one almost always works. Granted if you have more than one or two fish it is not really practical but when you have only one or two to move it works great.

Choosing a dominant fish at the store will also help. Usually means that he/she has a mean streak that will help it out in the new tank at home.

I agree with Nick with the exceptipns of:

Convict. You would be better of putting a decent size mating pair in there. If your GT is really that aggressive. They will hold their own. One alone usually aren't that tough.

Trimac: 14 to 17 inches for a male. An easy 14 to 17 inches. Your GT wouldn't stand a chance. Mean mean fish

JD: Big nasty JD's are rare in most cases they will average about 7 inches although biggers ones can happen. I personally find their aggression far overrated. Of all the JD's I have owned, only one has been a real SOB. My current male 7.5 inches and very very nasty. The rest.....BLAH.

As well as the previously mentioned fish. You could throw in a decent sized Jaguar (Nandopsis managuensis)
or even a red terror both have the size and attitude to keep the GT on his best behaviour.

[BigFishDude]

What about a female green terror? I'm sure the beauty of the mating rituals and the enhanced color of the male would surely make up for the lack of other fish. Not mention watching them take care of the fry. :)

[demon_surfer]

if you just throw in a female (if you can find someone that can identify male from female) i guarntee(sp??) you that the male will be intrested the female wont and he will beat the crap out of her.

just putting a male and female of a Neotropcial Large cichlid in a tank very rarely results in a pair.

[manfish]

Thanks for the replies. It seems there are some possible tank mates then. I will do some research and find something I ( or he ) likes. I'll let you know how it works out in a future post.

Thank You,
Fran

[BigFishDude]

Your welcome! I hope everything works out for you!

:)

[daveedka]

I don't know from personal experience, but have a buddy who recommends a jaguar, the net and re-arrangement ideas will help a bunch, these fish are very territorial. Good luck.

[RobM]

Let me tell you what I have learned,

I have a very aggressive 10.5" male green terror. He is quite thick too.......beautiful fish......

Anyway, he is in a 90 gallon tank and from what I have seen, he will allow any fish in the tank as long as they are not a threat. He has taken the whole tank over as his territory. I can put in just about any fish with him as long as they are not a similar size and body shape as him. He ignores all other fish......

So far most people are suggesting that you get a fish that can hold their own against a green terror. All I can see happening is that there will be alot of fighting. Hopefully one of them does not get hurt or killed in the process.

You could easily fill up your tank with some really cool fish that will not cause aggression problems. Granted, with SA cichlids there will be a certain level of aggression, but you can keep it minimized.

You could add:

Jewel cichlid -->tough , clever(good at hiding), beautiful
Pike cichlid -->super cool. I have an orange pike cichlid and he is becoming one of my favorite fish.
Convict -->tough, clever and good at hiding. But it has been done.
Rainbow cichlid--> Even though people will tell you that you can't, I have kept two with my green terror with no problems. Kind of a weird fish though.
Firemouth-->won't be a threat
salvini-->if it is purchased at a small size I think this will work out just fine. Just make sure that when it is added it is significantly smaller than the GT

non-cichlids:
needle nose gar --> really cool fish, but they are slightly brackish and usually require live food (mine eat krill). They hang out at the top and no one ever bothers them.
silver dollar / large tetra school--> These guys are too fast to catch.

Anyway, I hope this helps....

Good luck!

[demon_surfer]

um...no


the GT will kill them. some of them he might *MIGHT* leave alone...like the gator gar but if hes that old in a tank that size which hes been alone in all his life the chance is slim to none.


what you are going to put in needs to either be able to hold its own or avoid him

avoiding ones might be silver dollars or tiger barbs.

[kevinfishboy]

I think that if u get a red devil, red terror another green terror
or a wolf fish,blackshark