Many Fish, One Main Display Tank..

[Always Learning]

Right, after closing down some tanks, or at least some in the near future, I have so many fish, so many options and only a limited supply of Nurofen..

I am keeping some tanks around the house, but the main one which will be my 'feature' tank as such will be the 180g in the front room. At the minute, there's a bit of a mix in there as it's mostly used as a grow out tank.

I'll list the fish first. Bear in mind, most of these are still small and only the Parrots and Belem about 6".

2 - True Parrots
1 - Belem Sev
1 - Gold Sev
1 - Rotkeil female
3 - Rotkeil or Red Shoulder young <2"
4 - Heros Severus
1 - Green Terror
3 - Unkown Geophagus (Still too small, could be one of many)
1 - Geophagus Tapajos Orange Head
5 - Satanoperca Daemon
1 - Vieja Argentea
1 - Vieja Synspillum
1 - Vieja Hartwegi - Probably going anyway, as it wasn't what was meant to turn up.
1 - Female Nicaraguan
2 - Cryptoheros Cutteri
2 - Electric Blue Jack Dempsey
2 - Cryptoheros Sajica
1 - Salvini
12 - Columbian Red Fin tetra
6 - Corydoras Delphax
1 - Ornate Bichir
1 - Albino Senegal Bichir
1 - Sultan Plec
1 - Mega Clown Plec

I think that's it, apart from the nano tanks and the multies. Now the obvious ones are the SA and CA differences and not mixing the two. I have no problems mixing some, such as the Nic in with the SA as she has been the whole time, or even the Cutteri. I do like an overstocked tank though, with the main reason being that I have had the best results with that... obviously without being stupid and having a tank like some of these freak shows on youtube.

With the above, what would you suggest? Have you had similar and if so, what is it about that particular setup that 'does' it for you? I know they're my fish and the end decision is mine, but some others looking in and having a bit of input might hopefully help with me making that decision in the first place! I honestly would house them all long term if I could, but things change, babies come and take my room and there's only so much clutter of the wifes that I can throw away

 

[Wills]

Wow.... a lot of fish even for a 180 lol right if it were me first thing to do is decide on the Veija, your going to have more of a chance with the Synspillum than the Argentina from what I hear. I am not against mixing CA and SA either I have a nic in with my SAs and its not really a problem, I would have more centrals if I could find them lol.

So going on the basis that this is a standard 180 - 6x2x2 I would aim to grow these to adulthood as in these are the permanent residents as some of the grow outs might work well for some time but you are going to hit a point where most are 7 inches + and sexual maturity kicks in and the problems start.

Looking at the list again there are so many combos so this is really down to personal preference.

1 - Vieja Synspillum
2 - True Parrots
1 - Rotkeil female
1 - Female Nicaraguan
2 - Cryptoheros Cutteri
5 - Satanoperca Daemon
12 - Columbian Red Fin tetra
6 - Corydoras Delphax
1 - Ornate Bichir
1 - Albino Senegal Bichir
1 - Sultan Plec
1 - Mega Clown Plec

Got to be honest though not sure about the Daemon - I would possibly go for a smaller species of Eartheater

Like I say though so many fish there so many good combos but wayy to many in there.

Wills

 

[Always Learning]

Haha, don't worry they're not all in the one tank.. even at the size they are now it would be scary!
That's a list of the ones I own in that tank and various others throughout the house. I'm just trying to come up with one long term stocking for the main display. Granted, some are going to have to go anyway sadly as like said, I have had to/will have to lose some and make space for more baby things.

It's hard to see how they'd fit when they're fully grown but that's another part of what I am trying to gain here, from others experience with said fish. Like with the Argentea, I have heard mixed things about them and aggression, but then when we're dealing with cichlids it applies to them all anyway as I am sure you're aware. One mans terror can be another mans mouse. The general opinion seems to be that if they're the biggest in the tank, then they're more laid back.

I agree about the Daemon. I think if they were to be part of the stocking then it would be singular, as they don't play too nicely with each other anyway, even at 2"!

I do like the look of your suggestion though and it has some of my favourites in there. My 'loves' as such are the Cutteri, The Nic, Plecs and Bichir, but these are ones I feel I would be able to fit into any stocking out of the options. The Argentea and Parrots again are high up on my love in list, but I don't think I'd be comfortable mixing the two long term. They're probably one of the harder ones to decide on in all honesty. I could go with the parrots and have a more SA based tank and higher temp, or go Argentea and run cooler., but both of them are going to have a knock on effect on what else can stay/go. ARGH!!! I am suprised you suggested the cory in there though, as the parrots have big mouths and an oscar like desire for food. I have been tempted to try them in there, but don't feel confident enough to do so, even though the cory are fully grown. What's your experience with them, or similar sized fish? I know sevs tend to leave them alone but I just fear them being lodged in their mouths.

So frustrating and tbh, I don't know if I will gain anything from others suggestions. I will no doubt love them all and just upset myself even more that I can't decide!Hmm, I wonder if I could get a tank in the attic...