My 135G Stocking - Opinions?

[Wills]

Hi right so I am in one of those moods where I am not quite happy with my tank - I am happy with like the core "members" of the tank but just want a little more. Only rule is they have to be American fish.

The tank is 135g with an FX5 and a powerhead at the opposite end for flow - planning to get an other FX5 when I can afford it, though will be a few months.

In the short term I have decided to rehome my Dwarf Pike Cichlid and my school of Lemon Tetras. (both are up for sale atm if anyone is interested)

So that leaves me with -

1 Heros Severus (M) (True Severus - Mouth Brooder)
1 Nicaraguensis (F) (Nicaraguan)
2 Heros sp.Belem (1F,1M) (Severums)
1 Acaricthys Heckelli (Threadfin Acara)
4 Geophagus Winemilleri

5 Annostomus Ternetzi (Headstanders)
2 Agenisous sp.Blue (4 inch, wood cat type)
2 Sturisoma Auream (Whiptail)
1 Sturisoma Barbatum (Whiptail)
1 Hemiloricaria Parva (Whiptail)

Now just using the inch per gallon malarkey adult sizes on these work out about 125.

So my plans are - possibly add an other cichlid, something like a Firemouth type, but then I quite want some more catfish like Hoplos or something? Or some kind of schooling fish bigger than the lemons but not massive like Silver Dollars.

What do you guys think? Should I add anything? Any suggestions on what I should add? Only rule is it has to be South American or Central American.

Wills

 

[N0body Of The Goat]

Perhaps some Central American Ilyodon livebearers? At least one species reaches ~10cm. Or the far more common Blind Cave Tetra?


Having said that, your Agenisous catfish might be an issue as they get bigger?

 

[Wills]

I quite like the idea of livebearers not had them before though, but some interesting fish in there. I find blind cave tetras a little creepy sometimes dont know why

The Agenisous shouldnt grow any more, these ones are coming upto a year old now and are no bigger than when I got the first one from Pier and they are the from the same batch that where imported. So far as I can tell they are not after even the Lemon Tetras.

Wills

 

[hamfist]

SOunds pretty full already Wills for a 135G. I'd be amazed if you had success adding another cichlid, as it would be amazing if at least one of your current cichlids did not take a definate dislike to any newcomer.

How about a couple of platies/swordtails. They mix well with cihlids of the species you have, and certainly add a bit of extra colour.

 

[hackmaster]

I would say you can't use th 1" per gallon rule with large cichlids I'm afraid

 

[Wills]

Thanks Hamfist, have to admit I have never had a problem with adding new fish with this group. Its usually been new fish being added that have terrorised the fish already in the tank. I kind of get what your saying about it being full though, but Im not on about adding tons more just like 1 maybe 2 more fish (or a trio if it was a grouping fish eg - flagtail cats.

Hackmaster - totally agree with the inch per gallon rule with regards big fish but I also dont consider it remotely useful outside of an iffy bench mark for how many fish you have in your tank.

Wills

 

[kizno1]

I think another cichlid might be a bit risky, i would got for 5-6 Dianema urostriatum. Ive been wanting some for ages but the only place i could find them they where £30 each.

 

[hackmaster]

I know I'm getting rid of the blue acara's but in saying that they all get along and it's pretty peacefull for saying

 

[Wills]

Yeah I know what you mean Hackmaster but if its working why change it? I dont mean this in a bad way but in that tank I would say the BAs are the least at risk surely? At the moment my tank is pretty calm and chilled out but I can see signs of my Belem Sevs starting to nip each other so need to keep an eye on that as they grow up. Thats something I learned a while ago - never be afraid to rehome. If any of my fish turned on the others I would rehome them apart from my nic who I would keep rehome the rest and restock around her. And maybe my Heros Severus but would depend what was going on. I sometimes wish I had a tank like yours with 3/4 big bruisers in I love GTs but always scared of them as I have heard some go mental, wet pet for a future tank me thinks

Kizno - those are the cats I want but yeah they are usually expensive like you say. I saw some awesome mouse catfish at Pier a few weeks ago I think they were these - Hemidoras stenopeltis not sure I cant remember the name just they were something doras but looked awesome and active but a bit too far for me to go again. And also they would work out expensive as a group as they were near enough £30 each.

Wills

 

[kizno1]

Yeah I know what you mean Hackmaster but if its working why change it? I dont mean this in a bad way but in that tank I would say the BAs are the least at risk surely? At the moment my tank is pretty calm and chilled out but I can see signs of my Belem Sevs starting to nip each other so need to keep an eye on that as they grow up. Thats something I learned a while ago - never be afraid to rehome. If any of my fish turned on the others I would rehome them apart from my nic who I would keep rehome the rest and restock around her. And maybe my Heros Severus but would depend what was going on. I sometimes wish I had a tank like yours with 3/4 big bruisers in I love GTs but always scared of them as I have heard some go mental, wet pet for a future tank me thinks

Kizno - those are the cats I want but yeah they are usually expensive like you say. I saw some awesome mouse catfish at Pier a few weeks ago I think they were these - Hemidoras stenopeltis not sure I cant remember the name just they were something doras but looked awesome and active but a bit too far for me to go again. And also they would work out expensive as a group as they were near enough £30 each.

Wills

They are great looking fish, the only thing that would worry me about them in your tank is what i just read on planet catfish " Smaller fish appear to have an innate fear of larger fish and becomes very shy in their presence."

What about a group of on of the bigger types of Aspredinidae, maybe Platystacus cotylephorus. Or what about another fish ive wanted for a while Liosomadoras oncinus, again they are a little on the expensive side but for how stunning they are more than worth it IMO.

 

[hackmaster]

it's not them it's the fact they keep breeding then lip locking before during and after and iv'e had enough of it they end up with damaged lips from it and i don't ;like to see them like that so i'd rather get rid of them then have just a cichlid community and just have something else in their place... any ideas what would fit in with them then...?

the gt's a right carachter he even goes at the oscar witch is 3 times his size... its funny to watch them edge at each other then both swim off in different ways

 

[Wills]

Kizno - that Banjo is stunning!! Just wish it was more active. A big active cat could be the answer though - hmmm if I had less fish I would be tempted by a lima shovel nose - a shop near me has some adults in at £40 which is quite decent for them. But a bigish active cat could be the answer hmmm I dont know

Hackmaster - If you just have the three cichlids what about a group of dithers? Cichlid wise could a Sajica work? Or a Severum might do well

Wills

 

[hackmaster]

i have 5 silver dollars in there too

mmm sajica there pretty nice i'm going to take a trip to my local MA when the BA's have been picked up to see what they've got (as there the only lfs that stock large fish near me)

 

[kizno1]

Yeah the banjos are great looking but like you say very inactive. Although mine are Bunocephalus coracoideus ive noticed a huge change since adding an extra one so maybe the answer would be to get 3-4. Limas are stunning and would be my first choose in any big tank but i would be a little worried about them in a 135G especially since they like to be in groups of 3+ which i think would fill the tank on there own, plus personally i wouldnt want to keep one in anything under a 6x2x2.

 

[Wills]

Have you tried Wharf? Saw on your profile your from Derby, I know its a bit of a sin for me to suggest for you to go to Notts but might be worth it haha! I went the other day and it was really good in there I could have gotten so much if I had the space lol!

Wills

Yeah the banjos are great looking but like you say very inactive. Although mine are Bunocephalus coracoideus ive noticed a huge change since adding an extra one so maybe the answer would be to get 3-4. Limas are stunning and would be my first choose in any big tank but i would be a little worried about them in a 135G especially since they like to be in groups of 3+ which i think would fill the tank on there own, plus personally i wouldnt want to keep one in anything under a 6x2x2.

Yeah Its about this time I start regretting not getting that extra width lol

Wills