125 Gallon Stocking Ideas?

[Astronomiii]

Hi,

My brother had a goldfish 125 Gallon tank he setup around 2 years ago. And now my mom wants to change the entire tank to a nice tropical tank. However I am put in charge, and even though I have stocked many 55 and 20 gallon tanks. This is my first time managing a tank of this size. Along wtih that, stocking it is a complete new world to me. I was talking to some friends and they suggested Bala Sharks. But I am open to anything. My future water parameters will be listed below

PH : 7.5 ish
125 Gallons (duh)
Semi planted tank, amazon swords, anubias, etc.

 

[sharkweek178]

What's the water hardness? If you don't know, you can look it up on your water company website.

 

[Lajos_Detari]

As @sharkweek178 mentioned, find out your tap water hardness (GH), and we can advise you on the fish selections.

If you have soft water, you can consider most South American and Asian fish.
My favourite big fish will be Geophagus Sveni or Red Head Tapajos. Keep a group of 6.

If you have hard water, you can consider most African(eastern) fish, livebearer such as Guppies, Mollies and Platies, and most Australian fish.
My favourite African Cichlids will be the Lake Malawi's Mbuna, Peacock or Haps and the Lake Tanganyika Cichlids.

Next, consider the fish size that you want to keep.
Small/medium/big fish? I guess medium to big size fish are more suitable for your 6 feet tank.
Next, consider fish that are compatible with each other.
Lastly, how much experience do you have in keeping fish?
If you don't have much experience, then consider fish that are easier and hardier to keep.

Here is a list of fish families with photos:

Home | Qian Hu

We Bring Fun To You! About Qian Hu Explore our local fish farm, where you can find stunning ornamental fish, and also discover a wide range of aquarium equi ...

www.qianhufish.com

Types of Cichlids: Identification Guide with Pictures | Animal World

Cichlids are one of the largest families of fishes with more than 2000 types of cichlids, and new species are being discovered every year! Cichlids are attractive, active, are generally quite durable fish. The Cichlid family offers the widest variety of body shapes, a vast range of sizes, and...

animal-world.com

 

[Astronomiii]

As @sharkweek178 mentioned, find out your tap water hardness (GH), and we can advise you on the fish selections.

If you have soft water, you can consider most South American and Asian fish.
My favourite big fish will be Geophagus Sveni or Red Head Tapajos. Keep a group of 6.

If you have hard water, you can consider most African(eastern) fish, livebearer such as Guppies, Mollies and Platies, and most Australian fish.
My favourite African Cichlids will be the Lake Malawi's Mbuna, Peacock or Haps and the Lake Tanganyika Cichlids.

Next, consider the fish size that you want to keep.
Small/medium/big fish? I guess medium to big size fish are more suitable for your 6 feet tank.
Next, consider fish that are compatible with each other.
Lastly, how much experience do you have in keeping fish?
If you don't have much experience, then consider fish that are easier and hardier to keep.

Here is a list of fish families with photos:

Home | Qian Hu

We Bring Fun To You! About Qian Hu Explore our local fish farm, where you can find stunning ornamental fish, and also discover a wide range of aquarium equi ...

www.qianhufish.com

Types of Cichlids: Identification Guide with Pictures | Animal World

Cichlids are one of the largest families of fishes with more than 2000 types of cichlids, and new species are being discovered every year! Cichlids are attractive, active, are generally quite durable fish. The Cichlid family offers the widest variety of body shapes, a vast range of sizes, and...

animal-world.com

I looked up online, the hardness of my water of my city says 1.37 grains per gallon or 23.5 mg/L. I have been keeping fish for around 8 years, but they have been for smaller tanks like 20 gallons, and 55 gallons. What I really want in the tank are just a standard centerpiece fish which is a large active fish, and then schooling fish to acompany them. I want the centerpiece to be the big fish and then have a few medium active fish (maybe rainbow fish). Then probrably 2 large schools of tetras (rummy nose and neons maybe?). Yeah but I'm open to pretty much anything

 

[Astronomiii]

I looked up online, the hardness of my water of my city says 1.37 grains per gallon or 23.5 mg/L. I have been keeping fish for around 8 years, but they have been for smaller tanks like 20 gallons, and 55 gallons. What I really want in the tank are just a standard centerpiece fish which is a large active fish, and then schooling fish to acompany them. I want the centerpiece to be the big fish and then have a few medium active fish (maybe rainbow fish). Then probrably 2 large schools of tetras (rummy nose and neons maybe?). Yeah but I'm open to pretty much anything

I like the ideas of sharks, but I am unsure at this point

 

[Astronomiii]

What's the water hardness? If you don't know, you can look it up on your water company website.

1.37 grains per Gallon

 

[Byron]

The source water is very soft so the possibilities for species are really unending. But, there are some very different approaches when it comes to species. Centrepiece fish combined with smaller shoaling fish is not as easy as it may sound.

Other options are more of a geographic tank, with fish from a specific geographic area. Another is a tank of all smallish shoaling fish--a 125g tank with 200-300 peaceful fish like tetras and cory catfish can be very entertaining. Or a group of Pearl Gourami with shoals of rasboras for a SE Asian tank.

Bala sharks were mentioned...but this tank is no where near large enough for this fish. The species is Balantiocheilos melanopterus and being a shoaling species it needs a group of close to 9 or more, and given its size of 14 inches (16 inches is not uncommon) this means an 8-foot long tank or larger.

Each species of freshwater fish has very specific requirements and needs when it comes to the hardscape and the other fish species. You need to consider the hardscape, being substrate (sand is needed by some fish), wood, rock, plants, floating plants.