Sunday, August 2, 2009

Arowana and peacock bass?

for the last time:
what would be the disadvantages of putting a small arowana with a small peacock bass?
would the bass want to kill the aro?
what is the worst that could happen in a situation where i have an arowana and peacock bass in a 250 gallon aquarium?
Answers:
Chris, you've gotten answers in the past, and I guess they just weren't clear enough for you. Sorry about that.
First thing I've got to tell you is that most hardly anyone even has a dam Peacock Bass to begin with. I can only tell you from an Arowana point of view. My guess would be that there is going to be some stress involved and an Silver Arowana wouldn't take well to it. Even putting them togeather early, a Peacock Bass is a Cichild and an upper level fish at that. If the Peacock didn't outright attack the Arowana out of Territory, it'd most likely kill it from stress.
I want to also stress that a Peacock Bass is not an enemy of an Arowana naturally. It's just an example of a cichild being a cichild is all. Tank is the right size for them, but the compatibility isn't good from an Arowana point of view. The Peacock certainly wouldnt care lol.
Worst situation is going to be the Peacock harasses the Arow to death and you're out the money for one of them is how I see it. Arowana's that get labeled as predators have a serious injustice done to them IMO. They will eat off the surface if you provide them the food source. They will not go targeting other fish unless you just aren't giving them food on the surface. 10 + Arowana raised/cared for I can tell you with no doubt on my mind at all, if you keep giving them crickets and krill, pellets, bloodworm ect... you can keep small fish in your tank with them. Once they have a diet of something they stick to it. This is a case where I'd have to say it's one or the other.
If you need more help go to fishless cycling.com or just use the link on my profile.
Side note for poster above, less then 5% of tank kept Arowana's reach 48 inches. Better estimate on adult size for tank kept Arowana's would be 36-40 inches. Out in the wild then yes 48.
JV
Forgot my source sorry. Normally I think wiki is worthless but found this to be interesting. Please see in aquarium highlighted section. "As aquarium fish they are voracious and predatory, eating any smaller tank mates and fighting with others of equivalent size." Fighting with equivalent size.that should tell you right there, very big potential problem. You're just rolling the dice. I'm sure it's worked out for SOME, but enough to say go for it? Sorry not from me, I like my Arowana alive.
It depends on which one is bigger. Both fish are predators that will eat anything smaller than it is. Arowanas get enormous, too, so think ahead -- even with a 250 tank, what do you intend to do with the arowana when it gets to be 4 feet long?
Depending on the relative sizes it should be an OK combination,at least until the Peacock reaches sexual maturity and stakes out a territory. It would also depend somewhat on which species of Cichla you could get. There are 3 or 4 different species.
The worst that could happen would be that you wind up with a bunch of Arrowana scales and a Peacock that needs a larger tank(it could happen,the world record for hook and line for a Peacock is 28#.)
i have owned both silvers and peacock bass.
When larger they can tolerate eachother if that is what your asking. try looking on youtube.com under "peacock bass feeding" their is a guy on there who has 6-7 peacock bass in with 2 silver arowanas. Both get along.
The poblem is that peacock bass arent classed under either aggressive or not. Why? Because peacock bass is a general name,as their are several varities of peacock bass, ea. has its own aggression levels, size, and coloration.
Most LFS peacock bass are more mild. I would have to suggest getting a larger silver arowana with a small peacock bass. The bass will be able to handle itself, and u run a lesser risk of the bass getting into it.
type in "peacock bass feeding on shrimp" onyoutube. Again this guy has a video of those fishes + 1 clown knife and a few plecos and they are fine.
Generally silver arowanas tend not to be aggressive and both should be fine.
The worest situation is clear, you can lose either fish, but that is what you must expect when trying to go this, but always look at the arowana, for any signs of damages, any signs of scale or fin damage and you know it wont work,and it cant be forced, so seperate.