SouthernCross
Fish Addict
Hi all,
I posted the below on the general tropical forum but I am looking for some specific advice regarding the suitability of cichlids to add to my upgraded tank.
In particular, my queries on ram numbers, angel numbers, and what new 'bigger' cichlid might make a good addition.
After having my three foot, approximately 150 litre tank for about six years I have finally found a great bargain on eBay and am upgrading to a 4 x 2 x 2 foot - by my calculations that will triple my volume to about 450 litres!
I am trying to think about how I want to expand on my stocking once its established (will be transferring existing filters over (two Aquaclear 50's) and adding a canister).
I would like to increase my numbers for some of my existing species and then there's a few other fish I have always been interested in but never had the room for, so I am interested in your thoughts!
Existing stock:
2 x Angels
2 x orange thicklipped gourami (1M 1F)
1 x Female blue ram (had a pair but the male recently died)
1 x Bristlenose
1 x Rainbow shark
4 x Bronze/Albino Cories (These are my old-timers - first fish bought six years ago and still going strong!)
6 x Kuhli loaches
10 x guppies (4 male 6 female)
3 x Neon tetra
2 x Albino black skirt tetra
Now in terms of the existing stock -
Black skirt tetras -I inherited the skirt tetras from my brother and really don't like them all that much, so am just leaving them be. I know normally people would suggest increasing their school but I don't want to keep that species beyond seeing out the lives of these two.
Neons Once these guys die (I had a school of 16 but all seemed to get weird little growths - neon tetra disease I believe - I want to replace them with a school of cardinals - dont get NTD and are bigger (although I have NEVER seen my angels 'hunt' any neons).
Guppies - I keep these mainly for the constant live food source for the cichlids, probably won't increase their numbers.
Kuhlis - Love these guys they are great - could possibly increase numbers?
Cories - Love my bronze cories but I would probably like to get another four of a different kind - perhaps Julii's?
Shark and bristlenose - Will keep these guys as solitary.
Angels I would consider adding more angels but I am concerned by the fact that the two I have get along very well, but don't seem to be a breeding pair (they often square up, flare and 'shake' at each other - not sure if this is pre-breeding behaviour or not?). They are really beautiful angels and I am worried adding more would upset the balance of the tank. And also you have to buy them so tiny! My two are about the size of my hand and are probably about 9 months old. What are peoples thoughts there?
Rams My female ram I have had for a long time but I have had two males die on her. She always looks very depressed and dull when alone though. I was considering getting a bigger group of rams, say five or six (say 2 males, 3 more females) as I have read Rams are a very social fish and will do better in a bigger group (but a trio is bad). Thoughts?
Gourami My male is not interested in the female whatsoever so I thought of tracking down another female to make a trio. Or I have also had pearls in the past which I loved, but I am worried introducing another gourami species might cause fighting.
Other fish
Other fish I have never had before due to limitations of tank size but are interested in:
Blue Acara - I think they are beautiful and I believe a 4 x 2 would be big enough now. I have read they can turn nasty when breeding so would I be better off keeping one as a loner? I do love watching breeding behaviour in the tank though so just wondering what people's experiences are. I know to watch out and make sure I am not sold a GT by mistake!
Rummynose Tetra - I think these guys can look great in a big school (like cardinals) just wondering if I would be better just choosing one tetra to have a bigger school.
Kribensis - Would be interested in getting a pair however am concerned about how they might beat up on the rams and other bottom dwellers like cories?
Festivum - Think they are lovely but worried they might not get along with angels.
As you can see I am interested in introducing another bigger cichlid now I have the space and just aren't sure about what would go best with my existing stock. And also whether upping numbers of others (like angels) is going to cause problems.
What do people think and do you have any other suggestions for me that I might not have considered?
Cheers
I posted the below on the general tropical forum but I am looking for some specific advice regarding the suitability of cichlids to add to my upgraded tank.
In particular, my queries on ram numbers, angel numbers, and what new 'bigger' cichlid might make a good addition.
After having my three foot, approximately 150 litre tank for about six years I have finally found a great bargain on eBay and am upgrading to a 4 x 2 x 2 foot - by my calculations that will triple my volume to about 450 litres!
I am trying to think about how I want to expand on my stocking once its established (will be transferring existing filters over (two Aquaclear 50's) and adding a canister).
I would like to increase my numbers for some of my existing species and then there's a few other fish I have always been interested in but never had the room for, so I am interested in your thoughts!
Existing stock:
2 x Angels
2 x orange thicklipped gourami (1M 1F)
1 x Female blue ram (had a pair but the male recently died)
1 x Bristlenose
1 x Rainbow shark
4 x Bronze/Albino Cories (These are my old-timers - first fish bought six years ago and still going strong!)
6 x Kuhli loaches
10 x guppies (4 male 6 female)
3 x Neon tetra
2 x Albino black skirt tetra
Now in terms of the existing stock -
Black skirt tetras -I inherited the skirt tetras from my brother and really don't like them all that much, so am just leaving them be. I know normally people would suggest increasing their school but I don't want to keep that species beyond seeing out the lives of these two.
Neons Once these guys die (I had a school of 16 but all seemed to get weird little growths - neon tetra disease I believe - I want to replace them with a school of cardinals - dont get NTD and are bigger (although I have NEVER seen my angels 'hunt' any neons).
Guppies - I keep these mainly for the constant live food source for the cichlids, probably won't increase their numbers.
Kuhlis - Love these guys they are great - could possibly increase numbers?
Cories - Love my bronze cories but I would probably like to get another four of a different kind - perhaps Julii's?
Shark and bristlenose - Will keep these guys as solitary.
Angels I would consider adding more angels but I am concerned by the fact that the two I have get along very well, but don't seem to be a breeding pair (they often square up, flare and 'shake' at each other - not sure if this is pre-breeding behaviour or not?). They are really beautiful angels and I am worried adding more would upset the balance of the tank. And also you have to buy them so tiny! My two are about the size of my hand and are probably about 9 months old. What are peoples thoughts there?
Rams My female ram I have had for a long time but I have had two males die on her. She always looks very depressed and dull when alone though. I was considering getting a bigger group of rams, say five or six (say 2 males, 3 more females) as I have read Rams are a very social fish and will do better in a bigger group (but a trio is bad). Thoughts?
Gourami My male is not interested in the female whatsoever so I thought of tracking down another female to make a trio. Or I have also had pearls in the past which I loved, but I am worried introducing another gourami species might cause fighting.
Other fish
Other fish I have never had before due to limitations of tank size but are interested in:
Blue Acara - I think they are beautiful and I believe a 4 x 2 would be big enough now. I have read they can turn nasty when breeding so would I be better off keeping one as a loner? I do love watching breeding behaviour in the tank though so just wondering what people's experiences are. I know to watch out and make sure I am not sold a GT by mistake!
Rummynose Tetra - I think these guys can look great in a big school (like cardinals) just wondering if I would be better just choosing one tetra to have a bigger school.
Kribensis - Would be interested in getting a pair however am concerned about how they might beat up on the rams and other bottom dwellers like cories?
Festivum - Think they are lovely but worried they might not get along with angels.
As you can see I am interested in introducing another bigger cichlid now I have the space and just aren't sure about what would go best with my existing stock. And also whether upping numbers of others (like angels) is going to cause problems.
What do people think and do you have any other suggestions for me that I might not have considered?
Cheers
