Restocking The 90Gal

[JayD976]

Planning to redo my 90gal soon. My stock list is Firemouth, Convict, Keyhole and maybe a Threadfin Geophagus or Uaru or if I can ever find it a Inca Stone Fish. No mated pairs just single specimens of each species. Currently in the tank is 3 Bosemani rainbow fish and some Rummynose tetras and a BN pleco. I'm planning to maybe re-home the Rummynose to another tank and add Penguin Tetras instead.

Stock:
1- firemouth
1- convict
1- Keyhole
1- Threadfin Geo, Uaru or Inca Stone Fish
1- BN Pleco
3- Bosemani rainbow fish
6-7 - Penguin Tetras
1 - Pictus catfish


Thoughts or suggestions welcome.

 

[star4]

A Keyhole is too shy to go with any of those, uaru do better in a group as do pictus cats.

 

[JayD976]

I'd probably do 2-3 pictus and instead of the Uaru maybe a Blue Acara (granted it is a true Blue Acara and not mistakenly a GT labeled as a BA).

 

[Wills]

The combo your thinking of is not something I would recommend. As Star mentioned the Keyhole is a no go mostly, Uaru have to be in groups but also Geophagus need to be in groups also.
 
For me I would either go for a South American tank or a Central American tank, it always works out best. Speaking from experience the difference between South Americans and Centrals is quite big and it is most noticeable if things get a bit heated and aggressive. 
 
The South American tank might be something like

1- Threadfin
4 - Geophagus - Tapajo Red Head
2- Keyhole
6 - Bosemani rainbow fish (although not South American, or American at all, but will still work)
12 - Penguin Tetras - very nippy fish, do best in big schools. Perhaps Golden Pencil Fish might be a better alternative?
3-4 - Pictus catfish
1- BN Pleco
 
And the Central Tank might be like
 
1- Firemouth - are you set on the common Firemouth or have you considered the rarer ones like Ellioti or Aureus etc?
1- Convict - as above are you set on the common Convict or have you thought about things like Cutteri, Sajica or Nanoleutus? The relatives are often a bit calmer than the common Convict.
 
6 - Bosemani rainbow fish
12 - Penguin Tetras - very nippy fish, do best in big schools. Probably better in this tank than the other one
3-4 - Pictus catfish
1- BN Pleco
 
Then look at other Central American mid sized cichlids, maybe things like Neets, Nics, JD, a Severum of some kind might work with the other ones I mentioned.
 
As for the Inca Stone Fish... they are incredibly rare and really if you were going to have them in the tank you would want to base the whole tank around them as if you get them once it will be extremely rare to find them again.
 
Wills

 

[JayD976]

And the Central Tank might be like
 
1- Firemouth - are you set on the common Firemouth or have you considered the rarer ones like Ellioti or Aureus etc? Mostly have only found commons at my LFS'
1- Convict - as above are you set on the common Convict or have you thought about things like Cutteri, Sajica or Nanoleutus? The relatives are often a bit calmer than the common Convict. Mostly have only found commons at my LFS'
 
6 - Bosemani rainbow fish
12 - Penguin Tetras - very nippy fish, do best in big schools. Probably better in this tank than the other one. Not set on the Penguin Tetra just an attractive option
3-4 - Pictus catfish
1- BN Pleco
 
Then look at other Central American mid sized cichlids, maybe things like Neets, Nics, JD, a Severum of some kind might work with the other ones I mentioned.
 
As for the Inca Stone Fish... they are incredibly rare and really if you were going to have them in the tank you would want to base the whole tank around them as if you get them once it will be extremely rare to find them again. Have yet been able to find one and probably never will due to their rarety.
 
Wills

 

[thelaw]

Planning to redo my 90gal soon. My stock list is Firemouth, Convict, Keyhole and maybe a Threadfin Geophagus or Uaru or if I can ever find it a Inca Stone Fish. No mated pairs just single specimens of each species. Currently in the tank is 3 Bosemani rainbow fish and some Rummynose tetras and a BN pleco. I'm planning to maybe re-home the Rummynose to another tank and add Penguin Tetras instead.

Stock:
1- firemouth
1- convict
1- Keyhole
1- Threadfin Geo, Uaru or Inca Stone Fish
1- BN Pleco
3- Bosemani rainbow fish
6-7 - Penguin Tetras
1 - Pictus catfish


Thoughts or suggestions welcome.

this all sound good but you would need a group os 3 or more pictus cats and the key hole may or may not do ok if you do really want to try the key hole then be shore to have lots of hiding spots for him to hide in they are shy fish. 

 

[JayD976]

I more than likely will drop the key hole out of the mix since its not practical.

 

[JayD976]

Was thinking maybe giant danios now for dithers.

 

[star4]

Giant danios are nice, they should work.

 

[JayD976]

New stocking:
 
1-2 Firemouths
1-2 Convicts
1-2 Salvinis
1 Blue Acara
1 Severum
1 BN Pleco
3 Bosemani Rainbows
6-7 Dithers (probably giant danios)
2-3 pictus catfish
 
will need to move my 7 rummynose tetras to the 20gal and find a new home for my 4" Pearl Gourami.

 

[Wills]

You only want about 4 cichlids in there of that size 8 is a bit much... especially should any breed - dont forget central americans can cross breed as well.
 
For dithers I would choose either Bosemani Rainbows or Giant Danios both do the same job and with fish that size one big school is going to look fantastic!
 
Wills

 

[JayD976]

Yeah, the stocking list is just preferred fish of a given amount they will not all end up in the tank. I'm thinking with the Acara as the larger centerpiece of the tank the Severum wont be necessary. I already have the 3 Bosemani's hence why thy are on the list. I probably stick to 1 Con and 1 firemouth not really looking for any breeding pairs.

 

[JayD976]

Is there any particular types of rock or driftwood I should aim for or stay away from?

 

[Wills]

Just avoid sharp edges, cichlids sometimes dart around to get away from each other and can bash into things.
 
Wills

 

[JayD976]

Just avoid sharp edges, cichlids sometimes dart around to get away from each other and can bash into things.
 
Wills

Yeah I had some rocks in there in the past that I had to remove because my oscar would constantly cut himself when he darted around.