How does this sound??

[galen]

And what is this about Auratus being aggressive? I've always kept Auratus and they are no more aggressive than yellow labs or Acei's.

i had a large male auratus (5"). he wasnt aggressive. he was always digging a pit in the gravel behind a pile of rocks. then he would move next to it and dig another one. by the time he was done, he had a little trench going behind the rubble. reminded me of a picture from world war 1. otherwise, he was normal, not too aggressive.

sorry- im not trying to "hijack" this thread, just sharing.

 

[erin14]

i had a large male auratus (5"). he wasnt aggressive. he was always digging a pit in the gravel behind a pile of rocks. then he would move next to it and dig another one. by the time he was done, he had a little trench going behind the rubble. reminded me of a picture from world war 1. otherwise, he was normal, not too aggressive.

sorry- im not trying to "hijack" this thread, just sharing.

Really?! Both you and "cwt24" Auratus' were not aggressive? That gives me hope then! I really wanted one but everyone was saying how they were so aggressive! Do you think one would do okay or should I have more then one? The only thing is though if I had more then one, wouldn't one become the dominant fish and then beat up on the other? Or should I get say...3 to spread out the aggression? Thanks!!

 

[erin14]

Anyone have comments about putting Auratus into my tank?? Should I just put 1 or would say...3 be better?

 

[galen]

well, i bred electric yellows (yellow labs) and didnt really get too much intop the many types of auratus. they do have a reputation for aggression though. i reommend the advice given in petsolutions over drfosters's liveaquaria.com site. the former has more detailed info than the latter. here's their take:
http://www.petsolutions.com/M-Auratus-Cichlid+I90100+C80.aspx
another site for info:
http://www.cichlid-forum.com/profiles/species.php?id=765

mine was relatively peaceful but territorial with his rock. the trouble with buying the auratus is that when young, the males and females look the same. only when the fish mature do the males become a beautiful black with bright streaks of color while the females remain mostly the same as when a juvenile. for this reason, i would venture buying like 5-6 juveniles and letting them mature. the male will emerge and the females will as well; 1 male per tank for your 55 though. thats my take.