American Flagfish

[Spottedpleco]

I noticed American Flagfish in my LFS. I did a google search and found mixed reviews about their temperament. So, does anyone here have experience with them? I want to put them in a 180 gallon. Would they get along with Khuli Loaches, or would they nip/and or eat them? I guess guppy fry would be fair game right? How about large fish like Iridescent Sharks, do they terrorize them? Overall, I guess I just would like to know how peaceful people have found Flagfish. In the store I was trying to decide which ones were duller/female but the all seemed similar in markings.

~ Kristen

[Crazygar]

With the combination of fish in that tank SpottedPleco, I am not sure they'd fare all that well in that tank. They prefer much quieter environments. The Sharks would most definitely terrorize them.

I've owned Flagfish in the past, and they are wonderful little fish and suitable if you can't find an Apisto, but they do have a tendency to be bullies this is why I keep them in their own tanks with fish that mainly inhabit the upper strata to avoid any "quarrels."

Gary

[Spottedpleco]

I'm more worried about the Flagfish terrorizing the Iridescent Shark. I've had him as a community fish since '99. He doesn't terrorize the other fish, he ignores them. If general activity bothers flagfish though, that may be a problem. My Iridescent Shark regularly swims the perimeter of the tank, he is pretty much always in motion.

[J.B.]

There's an awful lot of real estate in a 180gal tank to be too concerned about this, IMHO. I'd pick up a couple of them, if you're really interested in them, and give it a go. Nothing ventured, nothing gained.

[Crazygar]

Oh geez, 180GAL, I thought it was 180L. ROFL. My apologies, at this point, sure, go for it, but suggestion, keep a small group of these.

Gary

[Freshwater Tropic]

Oh geez, 180GAL, I thought it was 180L. ROFL.

Gary

That would make a huge difference(180G vs 180L). Roughly, 130G difference.

[Crazygar]

LMAO yeah, I would say so. At that point, you have some serious options.

Gary

[Spottedpleco]

Yeah, my Iridescent shark would not be able to turn in a 180 liter aquarium. Okay, I'll give Flagfish a try.

[Hurriken]

How big is your shark? Those things get huge.

[Spottedpleco]

As far as the species potential goes from what I "googled", he's not that big. He's 18 inches long. I started out in the 6th grade with him as a fry in a 29 gallon I think, then graduated to a 55 gallon, then a 75 gallon, and now since 2007 a 180 gallon. I kept buying bigger tanks for him as he grew bigger. I haven't seen him grow in a while now, but he's approx 14 years old so maybe he's past the growing age? My records say that he was 15 inches on Dec 25, 2006 so he's only grown 3 inches since then.

[Crazygar]

Fish are weird, one of the few animals that keep growing until they pass away. I am curious for some pictures SpottedPleco of this fish and this tank in full. Sounds like an interesting setup and we'd love to hear more about it!

Gary

[Spottedpleco]

Oh okay, I didn't know that. The aquarium isn't very photogenic right now, I'm fighting Black Beard Algae in that aquarium. The aquarium was fine for years until I introduced wood that I had bought from a LFS. I tried cutting off the light for months but the algae survived. Then when someone I knew died I moved all of their Java ferns to the aquarium in the hope that they would out compete for nutrients. But the algae just grew on the plants. This month, I unhappily (and much to the distaste of the guppies as well) tossed all of the Java Ferns because of the algae growth. Then I planted a few Java Ferns from another aquarium. I tried Japonica Shrimp to eat the algae but they don't seem to survive long in the aquarium though Cherry Shrimp do fine in my other aquariums. I've also removed the wood from the aquarium.
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2013

[Crazygar]

SWWWEEETTTTTT.

Looks like the giant of the jungle position has been taken in that tank, I am surprised to see you have Guppies in there.

Gary

[Hurriken]

He is awesome. You must be doing something right! Great fish.

[lou zello]

nice tank and fish!!!!!as far as the black beard algae goes get 3-5 TRUE SIAMESE ALGAE EATERS they are the ONLY fish i EVER found that will eat the stuff and allso don't feed your fish every day (if you doso now).the important part is that the siamese algae eaters are the TRUE ones,nothing else will work.