Wanting a tankmate for my 9" Blackbelt

[Bmeasure]

I've had this guy for about 2 1/2 years and originally had him with a larger Jack Dempsey, then later with 4 Silver Dollars and even with just a Malawi Eye-biter (I know -not at all something I would have done If I had more than one big tank). In all these situations he has ended up bullying the other fish into cowering in the top corners and getting a bit banged up. The Eye-biter ended up dying over night (was fine when I went to bed), but I think my Blackbelt is cranky in the early mornings!

Anyways, I have moved to a new house and have built my own plywood tank roughly 5'x2', and it holds about 110 or 120 gallons of water with the artificial rock wall and the wet/dry filter I made. So this is going to be quite an upgrade from the rubbermaid tub he's been waiting in for six months (since the move) for me to get everything ready. It only holds about 30 gallons of water.I just figured the less I move him to and from aquariums, the less stress to him! The new tank should have plenty of water and room for me to have two showcase fish in!

Another thing is that I have a CO2 tank and all the plants I can use to stuff this tank and make an awesome display piece. He has done OK with a few plants in the past (when he was in my 55 gallon), but he has nibbled a few from time to time, also.

So the questions are 1)should I plant this tank and use pres. CO2? and 2) what would be a good tankmate for him which could take the abuse, be fairly easy to find, and also not eat the plants? (mild nibbling is ok). I know many of you will think a standard pleco, but they will munch my plants. Any other ideas? Is a Tiretrack Eel or Fire Eel a decent idea? I believe they could escape him in the sand substrate.

[Bmeasure]

What? Nobody has ever kept this fish? Come on, I know that someone has input or experience about what to keep with my fish. Please help me since he's going into his new aquarium soon, and then it will be too late to try adding "buddies"!

[peifc]

It is somewhat hard to introduce another fish in with your Blackbelt since this fish has already established his own territory. He probably will see other fish that's coming into his tank is intruder. You may need a divider handy when you introduce a fish to that tank.

There are a few fish that can go well with your blackbelt. You can consider Texas cichlid, Jaguar cichlid, grammodes....

[Bmeasure]

He's not established in this tank yet! I'm just finishing building it and he will be put in around Christmas. He seems to have difficulty with other fish that are similar in size, but I was thinking of some type of pleco or freshwater eel to see how he handles those! They will probably hide most of the day anyways!

Another thing is I hate buying full grown fish (or even young adults) I want small, young fish, that I can raise in my own standards of fishkeeping! Most people have damaged their fish with poor water quality by the time they are as big as my Blackbelt.

[Shierkahn]

You could maybe try a couple of Salvini cichlids. They don't get that big about 4" for females-6" for males. Plus, they can usually hold there own against larger more aggresive fish .......especially during breeding. IMOH

[NatakuTseng]

No offense, but you knock down other people because they don't keep their fish to your standards, yet you've been keeping that guy in a 30gallon tub for the last 6 months. Thats not exactly a good standard. Most people that have cichlids that size haven't "damaged" their fish at all, and in fact have most likely kept decent care for them otherwise they wouldn't have gotten that size. Your asking for something nearly impossible, you want to introduce a fish much smaller than the blackbelt and expecting the blackbelt to do nothing about it. It doesn't work that way with larger aggressive cichlids. Either the smaller fish are going to be bullied to death, or they are gonna ge eaten. The only way your going to acomplish this goal is if you set up a grow out tank for the smaller cichlids till they reach a size in which they can stand up to the blackbelt, even then its far from a sure thing. You would have to remove the blackbelt, rearrange the tank, add the new guy give him a couple hours, and then add the blackbelt. By doing this its a new environment and neither have established a territory, so you would have a chance. I've found however that most larger cichlids when kept as a solitary fish for extended periods of time become very intollerant of any other fish. You've got your work cut out for you to say the least.

[Bmeasure]

I appreciate the opinions and ideas, and as stated, I DO have my work cut out for me! My only reason for asking this question is because I DO NOT HAVE THIS FISH IN THE TANK YET! I have continued to read threads saying how I will have a hard time adding a fish to my tank when my Blackbelt has an established territory! HE DOES NOT HAVE ANY TERRITORY.....he's never even seen the tank. I don't mean to sound crude, I REALLY appologize if I seem aggro about replies....I LOVE THEM...just need more! My point is that IF I am going to add another "companion"....then NOW is the time to do it. After my Blackbelt becomes established, I won't bother trying to add anything but food! ;)

I had questions as to the possibilities of adding a few different type of fish; fish that look quite different from the Blackbelt. I have never added any type of pleco to his tanks. Never tried any eel or ropefish. I've actually never even tried much smaller fish. I do know that he doesn't eat frozen "Silversides" from San Fransisco Bay Co. They are about 2 to 2 1/2" and he doesn't touch them! Wierd! Anyways, I'm just wanting to try SOMETHING else in the tank to add some visual appeal, some interaction for him, and not get itself killed. In fact I want them to both live well in the awesome environment I've created. Anyone have any opinions about these options, or have others? The Salvinii idea wasn't a bad one, and I'll do some research on them! Thanks.....any more?

[peifc]

Common pleco gets big and hide most of the time.

[Bmeasure]

That may be a good quality with my Blackbelt! :)

[Visualeyes2]

I had a blackbelt for a short while. He was a pretty fish and mean as a snake! He would act like a prince until I turned the light out, then it was time for the ninja to unleash! He was ruthless! There aren't many fish that you can put with a black belt, my friend, especially smaller fish. A pleco would work. Other than that, you need something that is tougher than nails.

[NatakuTseng]

You may be able to get away with a MALE Jaguar cichlid, but you'd need to get one about the same size. They got one nasty disposition however the problem might arise that neither will tollerate each other (more likely than not) and they will just continually fight untill one of them submits or dies.

[Bmeasure]

you all have been a great resource. thanks for all the input! I definately think I'm gonna get a common pleco for the tank (or sailfin pleco). At least he will have some kind of interaction.