First cichlid indecision solved!

[absolutely2cool]

A few days ago, I posted a tread contemplating what to buy for a first cichlid, tah could help out with livebearer culls.
Today that problem was solved for me. My Mom, a livebearers breeder also, showed up with a birthday present for me, a 4" Red Terror.
This may have solved one problem, but as I look at th potential for size in this fish, I hope it hasn't opened up a different can of worms.
Anyone with RT experience have any advice.

 

[Big Vine]

Congrats on the RT...I've always wanted one of those, so I'll look forward to hearing about yours!

I guess the main concern would be tank space, right? I'm guessing you put him/her in the 55 gal. tank which is listed in your sig.? Can you tell whether it's male or female yet?

About the only advice I could give at this point is to check out www.cichlid-forum.com, if you haven't already. The profiles section would be a good place to start. Keep us posted with lots of updates and pics! *thumbsups

BV

 

[SinisterKisses]

A 55gal should be the absolute minimum tank size for an adult Red Terror, but only if it turns out to be a female...if its a male, a 75gal would be the minimum - and only kept by itself.

Congrats on the new fish Honestly, I'd hope its a female...they're so much prettier than males IMO.

 

[absolutely2cool]

Actually, right now the new little beast is in a 29gal, because it was the largest tank that I had running that could be cleared out in short order. This won't beit's permanent home though. I have a possible 2nd 55gal in the works, along with a 40long. As for sex, not sure yet, but can't wait to find out. My pal at the lfs store says should be able to tell soon.

 

[Fuzz16]

congrats on that! i hear they are very neat fish will def. help you out with livebearer control lol

 

[Hamburgler]

Awesome...they are great fish. Fast growers and very intelligent.

I would like to see a pic too! I hope you have a real one, more often than not they are urophthalmus (mayan cichlid or false red terror) being sold as RT's. They are essentially the same fish, without the impressive red. I've got a 5 incher right now and i love it.

BTW, to confirm that it is a real RT....the first 2 vertical bars (toward the front) should form a Y. And the blotch at the rear should be very small.

 

[absolutely2cool]

This guy has 3 spot on it's tail. Most of the time when it's out, the stripes wash out, and I can't tell if they form a Y or not. I have been spending time watching, so I will pay extra attention to the stripes. My friend at the lfs, who has an RT of his own sats now that he thinks it a male, due t the shape of its dorsal fins.

 

[absolutely2cool]

I looked closely at little Evil tonight, then looked up pics of true RTs and False RTs, and am disapointed to say, I very definitely have a false RT.

 

[Hamburgler]

Its very common for that to happen. With a variety of food and they do color up nicely. Mine shows the barring, with pink/red/salmonish colors, and has those JD style green blotches as well as the irredecence.

 

[absolutely2cool]

Well, I still like Evil, even if he's not a true RT. And of course, the important part is that I will still get most of the size, and all of the attitude that I was expecting from the real deal.