More help stocking

[Essjay]

Opaline gouramis are one of the colour morphs of 3 spot gourami, Trichopodus trichopterus. These are one of the more aggressive gourami species so tank mates would need to be chosen with care. Several years ago there was a member who had a female of this species which was so aggressive it killed every fish kept in the same tank and had to be kept alone.

 

[Fishkeeper123]

Wow that’s awful, I might have to rule out the opaline then.

 

[Fishkeeper123]

Okay, I decided against bringing up stocking on an EBA on this forum as I know there is contrasting views but I have received lots of advice including some from Cory from aquarium co-op. I am definitely getting an electric blue acara and 5 more danios on Thursday and I want to add something else, what’s been suggested is
• a keyhole cichlid(my favourite but unsure if I can only have one)
• a festivum
• an angelfish
• black phantom tetras
• Buenos Aires tetras
What are people’s thoughts on the best option? I totally get it if people don’t want to help me stock my aquariums as I’m not following what has been talked about above in the forum. I would just like to know before I say what new fish I get and get told to rehome them which I of course don’t want to do. The whole tank will be focused on the electric blue acara and know about the very small risk with the danios. Any thoughts on whether I should rehome my trio of assassin snails? If anyone would like to share their opinion(not on the electric blue acara) on what I should get pls do. Sorry if this frustrates anyone.

 

[Naughts]

• a keyhole cichlid(my favourite but unsure if I can only have one)
• a festivum
• an angelfish
• black phantom tetras
• Buenos Aires tetras

If this is for the 180l, 100cm tank then it is too small for the cichlids. Just go for tetras but remember the ram is at risk from fin nippers.

 

[Fishkeeper123]

Do you think the black phantoms are better than the Buenos Aires?

 

[Naughts]

Do you think the black phantoms are better than the Buenos Aires?

In terms of fin nipping, black phantoms are less of a risk.

 

[Fishkeeper123]

Are there any other fish I could consider just as another option? I would quite like it to be a cichlid tank with the danios as dithers. However I know that my tank isn’t massive could I consider something like a smaller cichlid like an apistogramma or a rainbow cichlid?

 

[Naughts]

Are there any other fish I could consider just as another option? I would quite like it to be a cichlid tank with the danios as dithers. However I know that my tank isn’t massive could I consider something like a smaller cichlid like an apistogramma or a rainbow cichlid?

You already have the rams. This is their space, adding another cichlid would be to the detriment of the rams and the newcomer. Refer to the article on territories in post #36.
A peaceful tank avoids unnecessary stress, will have healthier fish and be more enjoyable. When the tank has been running for 6 months or so, revisit the stocking and decide if you want to change direction.

 

[Fishkeeper123]

You already have the rams. This is their space, adding another cichlid would be to the detriment of the rams and the newcomer. Refer to the article on territories in post #36.
A peaceful tank avoids unnecessary stress, will have healthier fish and be more enjoyable. When the tank has been running for 6 months or so, revisit the stocking and decide if you want to change direction.

I think the reason why I’m changing is after the death of one of my rams and feel it’s the best time to add a/some new fish. I’ll see what I choose to do tomorrow I think it will depend on what my LFS have available.