5 X 2 X 2 Stocking

[minnnt]

I know there has been quite a few topics about stocking tanks over the last week or so but thought i would start my own. I might have the chance of a 5x2x2ft tank and was wondering what would be your suggestions for stocking? I would love an Oscar, but i know this would severely limit me with further stocking. If i did go down the Oscar route what would be suitable tank mates for him?

If i was looking at other setups what would you suggest?

Thanks.

 

[amy1994]

I know there has been quite a few topics about stocking tanks over the last week or so but thought i would start my own. I might have the chance of a 5x2x2ft tank and was wondering what would be your suggestions for stocking? I would love an Oscar, but i know this would severely limit me with further stocking. If i did go down the Oscar route what would be suitable tank mates for him?

If i was looking at other setups what would you suggest?

Thanks.

Being bias i would have to say discus
A nice planted tank setup, community tank

 

[matt_storey]

I'm collecting my 4x2x2 (yes i know i had space for the 5ft but the missus was having none of it)

So i may need to do some rehoming; it will for now hold

1 Ellioti
2 Jade eyes
1 Gold Sev
1 Syno Nigrita
4 Bolivian Rams
1 Angel

Once i figure out how im going to stock and who needs to go they will need collecting .... hint hint

 

[kizno1]

Its not an easy size tank to decide on stocking for, it took me months to work out mine and by the time i had i couldnt set it up . Really the first choice you have is would you prefer a few bigger fish or more smaller ones?
If you want an Oscar i would go for
1 Oscar
1 Chocolate cichlid
3 Lima shovelnose
1 Royal plec
Pair of Elliots or HRPs
5 Big dithers

If your happy with more smaller fish
1 Rotkeil
1 Chocolate cichlid
5 Geophagus
1 Threadfin acara
6 Hoplo catfish
10 Lemon tetra

 

[minnnt]

Thanks for the help. I guess i need two 5 foot tanks...

I desperately want an Oscar, but this would majorly affect the stocking. All the major fish would be added at the same time as i wouldn't want any to go the way of mattlee's GT did when he added it in with Keith.

I already have a fully grown Ellioti male and two big Angels which could go into the new tank... Also have two Jade Eyeds, a pair of HRP's and a pair of Rainbow Cichlids... LOL! That sounds terrible. Liking the idea of a chocy cichlid!

If i decided to get an Oscar, would i need to get one that was about 4" or could i get a Juvi? Just thinking seeing as he will probably be the boss wuld it be best to get one that the Ellioti is bigger than to start with or of a similar size?

But on the other hand i am very much liking the second suggestion!

I'm collecting my 4x2x2 (yes i know i had space for the 5ft but the missus was having none of it)

So i may need to do some rehoming; it will for now hold

1 Ellioti
2 Jade eyes
1 Gold Sev
1 Syno Nigrita
4 Bolivian Rams
1 Angel

Once i figure out how im going to stock and who needs to go they will need collecting .... hint hint

Is your Ellioti male or female?

 

[matt_storey]

A male i think

 

[kizno1]

Thats the main choice really deciding between a few big fish or more of a cichlid community like the second option. If not you might get away with a mix of them if you go for
1 Oscar
1 Chocolate cichlid
1 Threadfin acara
4 Geophagus
1 Royal plec

Or maybe instead of the Geos and Thredfin you could go for 4 Uaru.

Or the other option is always a Dwarf community, obviously you wouldnt be able to have the Oscae but with the Elliot as a centre piece with Angels, Festivum cichlids, Apistogramma, Red breasted acara, Keyholes, Cupids ect around it would look stunning

 

[hamfist]

Or maybe instead of the Geos and Thredfin you could go for 4 Uaru.

4 uaru on their own will fill a 5x2x2 when full grown.

With an oscar in a 5x2x2, you could have two uaru (in fact I think they would fit in very well together) plus a couple of bottom feeders (or a few, depending on size).

Chocs are lovely but do get rather territorial, and therefore need enough space to make their "own".

An oscar, one choc (or two uaru) plus a couple of large angels plus a bottom feeder or two would also be a nice mix.

 

[kizno1]

Or maybe instead of the Geos and Thredfin you could go for 4 Uaru.

4 uaru on their own will fill a 5x2x2 when full grown.

With an oscar in a 5x2x2, you could have two uaru (in fact I think they would fit in very well together) plus a couple of bottom feeders (or a few, depending on size).

Chocs are lovely but do get rather territorial, and therefore need enough space to make their "own".

An oscar, one choc (or two uaru) plus a couple of large angels plus a bottom feeder or two would also be a nice mix.

Sorry i meant to put to start off with then thin it to a pair once one forms because from what ive heard when young they dont go well at all single or in pairs so its best to start with more then sell them as the grow.

 

[mattlee]

if you really want an oscar then go for it mate. as you know ive had a few ups and downs with Keith and had full tanks and lower stocked tanks and i am now very happy with my stocking.

1 x oscar
7 x arulius barbs
1 x bgk
1 x banded headstander
1 x jaguar catfish
3 x humbug catfish
2 x rainbow cichlids

i am getting a bigger tank for my ornatums in a couple of months and will transfer the rainbows and maybe the BGK into it. i may also add a few more barbs to the group as a replacement.

i personally prefer a lower stocked tank instead of it being full of big fish. as nice as some are and the choice is mind blowing they all need their space. my 6.5x2x2 only had 6 large cichlids in and they were on top of each other all the time and it looked too full and crammed to me. my tank now has a nice balance of big and smaller fish and they get on just fine and it looks much less crammed and lots of activity.

some of the larger barbs are perfect for oscar tank mates as they are fast and get quite chunky, i think this is the main reason Keith leaves them alone as he has no chance of catching one..... they even zip around his mouth at feeding time picking up the bits he drops! maybe they are getting too confident but it works

the other thing to think about is compatability between cichlids, dont go by the book.... as you know all cichlids have different personalities and one oscar will be very different to an other. Keith is quite a chilled oscar and lived happily with the other larger cichlids in the big tank but after a month or so on his own he claimed the tank to be his and after adding the GT it all went wrong. going by the book the GT should have come off worse so it just goes to show you that all fish are not labelled the same. you may have to swap and change certain fish until you have a happy tank.

 

[hamfist]

Sorry i meant to put to start off with then thin it to a pair once one forms because from what ive heard when young they dont go well at all single or in pairs so its best to start with more then sell them as the grow.

Juvie uaru are very happy as pairs.

 

[acreteos]

how about a group of Geophagus? I wouldnt have more than 1 Lima shovelnose because ive kept one and they are quite large and my one was very teritorial, however he did live with a breeding pair of oscars, so they are very compatible. I would say that you could go for geo's and some larger barbs and such, could have angels maybe, in terms of catfish you have tons to choose from. I'm thinking you could have a bichir too if you wanted.

 

[kizno1]

how about a group of Geophagus? I wouldnt have more than 1 Lima shovelnose because ive kept one and they are quite large and my one was very teritorial, however he did live with a breeding pair of oscars, so they are very compatible. I would say that you could go for geo's and some larger barbs and such, could have angels maybe, in terms of catfish you have tons to choose from. I'm thinking you could have a bichir too if you wanted.

Never heard of that problem with Limas, there a very socal fish and normally prefer the company of others.