Red tiger motaguense OR grammode (mini-dovii)

**spazmattik** · 11-06-2012, 04:57 PM

Hey everyone. I am thinking of making a species only tank. Does anyone have experience with these fish? I am trying to determine which one would be best.

**Rocksor** · 11-06-2012, 05:05 PM

It depends on your tank size, and how patient you are at waiting for it to grow. You should see around 0.25-0.5" per month on the RTM, whereas the grammode may only grow 1" in a year. Both fish like to hide when there are no dithers present.

**spazmattik** · 11-06-2012, 06:34 PM

That sucks they like to hide... is that a phase they go through as juvis? Would seem like a waste for either big bad fish like that to be shy. I have a salvini that likes his cave but he is out about 50% of the time or more

**Rocksor** · 11-06-2012, 06:46 PM

It has to do more with them being ambush predators, combined with their small size.

**spazmattik** · 11-06-2012, 07:08 PM

That makes sense. :) have you ever housed either of these? If so what is your opinion

**Rocksor** · 11-06-2012, 08:07 PM

I never owned a grammode because I won't be patient enough to wait for it to grow out.

The RTM seemed more shy than a jag.

**spazmattik** · 11-20-2012, 07:44 PM

I am almost wondering if a buttikoferie would be a better choice. They look nice and I see a lot of comments about them being intelligent and having great personalities.

**skullduggery1** · 11-21-2012, 02:39 PM

Hornet tilapia are very intelligent and quite large. I have seen a 26inch speciman at Cichlid world in Garden City, Michigan. They are a very commonly available cichlid, compared to the tiger mota and grammodes. I always wanted a red tiger,with a group of yellow labridens.