Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I have a 55 gallon tank with a female Southern Painted, along with plants, crabs, a crayfish, snails, and some rosies that never become dinner(too fast). Anyway, I thought I'd buy another fish--something that looked cool...not one of them gaudy goldfish or stupid looking "tropical" fish. So, I went to petsmart and bought a "green terror" cichlid. It's about 2" long, and doesnt show any aggression towards the other fish (yet). I just found out...tis thing can get 8-12" LONG!!!!! I am soon to set up a multi-species indoor pond I built(100 gallon) complete with large land area and 2 fluval 404's for filtration. Any one have any advice or experience with large cichlids and turtles? I plan to get a mud and perhaps a musk also(land area should keep them at bay)

I have years of experience with many types of fish. Let me tell you first off that a Green Terror earned it's name for a reason. Eventually -- you will loose your rosies and quite possibly you snails, crabs and crayfish!! Lastly, even chunks of you turtle (like it's tail). I would advise housing the green terror in a large tank with other aggressive species like Jack Dempseys and Managuenses.

There are some cichlid species that are more placid grow large but should get along well with Turtles if cichlids are the way you want to go. Uaru's come to mind for one. They are fairly placid and cute cichlids that get to a nice size. The Green Terror is NOT a good choice to leave with your turtle.

Good luck.

Yeah, besides red devils and some particularly mean convicts, i have known green terrors to be the most aggressive cichlids. I have seen one kill a 9 inch oscars while it, the terror, was only 4 inches long. (it takes a while). They will kill all other fish (even those larger than them) and will re-arrange tank decor. Most turtles, though, will make a meal of any fish, but painteds are not among the "toughest" turtles. So i have to say i agree, especially with such a small tank, that the terror should go.

I disagree on the toughness of painteds. Other than snappers I think they are about the toughest aquatics around. I had painted hatchlings that killed and ATE one of their own siblings, and male painteds can go off the deep end and harass their tank mates like mad. They might be skittish to humans, but to the other turtles I've never had a painted that wasn't the boss of the tank. Besides, those guys can survive cold like a spotted, wood, or snapper can, they are quite hardy.

I have 2 male painteds in my pond and 3 females and those two boys can go at eachother when they are PO'ed! Usually it starts when both are interested in the same girl. They both try to approach her, get ticked at eachother and spend the rest of the day fighting and chasing eachothe back and forth (the pond is large and they are have lots of hiding spots if one should back down -- they NEVER DO though.) They never hurt eachother just chase and snap at eachother's heals.

They are tough but I have seen them intimidated by other species. (sliders for example)

Steve

heh, I had a four inch male that was the terror of all my turtles. He went after 8, 9, and 10 inch female painteds and RES like a vicious animal. Less than half their size and he did not care at all. The only thing I ever knew him to be afraid of was me.

I do try to keep male painteds in HUGE space or alone now. Females tend to be just robust and healthy and not very aggressive towards other turtles (towards food, yes)

Try www.fishbase.org to find out the actual adult size of fish before you buy them, not what the petstores decide to tell you that day (I've been there ).