• You are viewing the forum as a Guest, please login (you can use your Facebook, Twitter, Google or Microsoft account to login) or register using this link: Log in or Sign Up

Request for feedback on stocking of large tank: tank 2 8x4x22 (ft,ft,inch) ~approx 450 gallon

mirabllis is the same size as winemilleri so i suppose that one is out; the red head doesn't appeal to me but teh sources i link also indicate it is the same size (6-8 ich/20cm) but maybe smaller bodied?, sp panta is also listed as 20cm adult. So my question are the sources of information i'm finding on these fishes incorrect or are they really smaller than winemilleri ?
They’re all smaller than winemilleri. They range from 6-8inch with 8 inch being a very large male. Winemilleri can get up to 12 inches and is a larger growing species of geophagus.

Cheers
 
They’re all smaller than winemilleri. They range from 6-8inch with 8 inch being a very large male. Winemilleri can get up to 12 inches and is a larger growing species of geophagus.

Cheers
Ok thanks. I guess the info on winemilleri in seriouslyfish is incorrect (they have 6 to 8 inches - up to 24cm for winemilleri); i did not realize they were so large. Do you know the temp range for mirabllis - i can find very little information on the specifics. I think i could prefer the smaller fish. I had consider just dropping winemilleri all together and going small with cupid (there are certain advantages to a large school of say 15-20 cupid) - but mirabllis might be a happy middle ground. I'm presuming all these geo have very similar personalities so it is just a 'look' thing as to which are more colourful. Also is there a specific species you would recommend ? Hum one other negative of mirabillis might be that it seems most of the stock come from germany breeding group and inbreeding might be an issue.
 
Ok thanks. I guess the info on winemilleri in seriouslyfish is incorrect (they have 6 to 8 inches - up to 24cm for winemilleri); i did not realize they were so large. Do you know the temp range for mirabllis - i can find very little information on the specifics. I think i could prefer the smaller fish. I had consider just dropping winemilleri all together and going small with cupid (there are certain advantages to a large school of say 15-20 cupid) - but mirabllis might be a happy middle ground. I'm presuming all these geo have very similar personalities so it is just a 'look' thing as to which are more colourful. Also is there a specific species you would recommend ? Hum one other negative of mirabillis might be that it seems most of the stock come from germany breeding group and inbreeding might be an issue.
Just whatever species you prefer the look of really. Their care requirements are all similar with soft clean water being the main thing. Your set up will be perfect for whatever species you choose as none of these are what I would call a ‘specialist’ species.

Cheers
 
Hi all,

I like these. The usual one available is Guianacara sphenozona, always sold as "G. geayi".

cheers Darrel
Those and cupids and endless options. I will have to reflect on these different options for a week and the post a new possible stocking for additional feedback. Any opinion on hoplo cats Megalechis thoracata fitting into the mix ?
 
Any opinion on hoplo cats Megalechis thoracata fitting into the mix ?
Can’t see them being an issue with your proposed stocking although they’re quite a greedy, bulky fish. I’d go for dianema as a more ‘gentle’ alternative, although it’s not my tank!

Cheers
 
Can’t see them being an issue with your proposed stocking although they’re quite a greedy, bulky fish. I’d go for dianema as a more ‘gentle’ alternative, although it’s not my tank!

Cheers
That is actually a very good suggestion and one i will seriously consider after some reading; is there a big difference in species such as longibarbls or urostriatum?
 
That is actually a very good suggestion and one i will seriously consider after some reading; is there a big difference in species such as longibarbls or urostriatum?
I’ve only kept urostriatum but I don’t believe there is any difference in the species except colouration.
 
After some thought this is what I am thinking:
10 urostriatum (very concern that they require hardness which might make them unsuitable; but i think seriouslyfish is incorrect)
20 sterbai (these are left over and won't be replaced)
2 apistogramma lineata (optional)
4 GBR (experiment)
30-40 rummynose
8-12 mirabllis (if not available then replace with neambi)
4 pseudohemiodon sp peru
2 to 4 Laetacara araguaiae or Dorsigera
some random pleco from (L204,L397,bn,L128) - probably try to limit it to 2 species and no more than 6 total - probably mostly L204 since read below:
-
I'll probably scape the tank so 4 ft is dense plant and 4ft is open with some waver makers near the bottom on the open side for L204/mirabllis.
-
Again target temp 82/TDS 50/GH 2-3/KH 1/PH whereever it falls probably upper 6/no co2
-
The side with the mirabillis will have some parameter plants (jungle val and probably sword plants in the back corners with a couple of crypts here and there).

Thoughts ?
 
I know it's a big tank, but that's a lot of different species. Wouldn't you want a bit less so you'd have something calm to look at? Most of your fish stay near the bottom too.

Also, I don't think you'll be running a tannin stained or a blackwater tank? Rummy nose tetras are nervous fish and without cover or darker water, you'll experience the same neck ache you'd have after watching a tennis game.

In the end it's your choice, of course!
 
I know it's a big tank, but that's a lot of different species. Wouldn't you want a bit less so you'd have something calm to look at? Most of your fish stay near the bottom too.

Also, I don't think you'll be running a tannin stained or a blackwater tank? Rummy nose tetras are nervous fish and without cover or darker water, you'll experience the same neck ache you'd have after watching a tennis game.

In the end it's your choice, of course!
How would you adjust the stocking ?
 
Personally I wouldn't combine Geophagus with dwarfs. They either come from different biotopes and/or the Geo's would dominate over them. Plus, dwarfs (cichlids in general) generally don't mix well with Corydoras in an aquarium, because they do not understand territorial boundries and happily swim right back after being chased away.

In a brightly lit tank, I'd focus on a tetra from clear/white water rivers. One underrated fish I like is Hyphessobrycon megalopterus, but if you're more into rarer species, Hyphessobrycon procyon is a nice one. Of course, there are many others that would suit your tank.

I'd recommend something like:
Corydoras sterbai
Hyphessobrycon/Moenkhausia/Pyrrhulina sp.
Geophagus sp.

I think this would be a solid starting point for you after which you could try and add some other fish that would suit well.

Key is: less is more.
 
Personally I wouldn't combine Geophagus with dwarfs. They either come from different biotopes and/or the Geo's would dominate over them. Plus, dwarfs (cichlids in general) generally don't mix well with Corydoras in an aquarium, because they do not understand territorial boundries and happily swim right back after being chased away.

In a brightly lit tank, I'd focus on a tetra from clear/white water rivers. One underrated fish I like is Hyphessobrycon megalopterus, but if you're more into rarer species, Hyphessobrycon procyon is a nice one. Of course, there are many others that would suit your tank.

I'd recommend something like:
Corydoras sterbai
Hyphessobrycon/Moenkhausia/Pyrrhulina sp.
Geophagus sp.

I think this would be a solid starting point for you after which you could try and add some other fish that would suit well.

Key is: less is more.
Can you suggest a true schooling tetra like rummynose that you think would be appropriate? I favor serape over black phantom for a lower level tetra but i'm not sure of a good active schooling option outside of rummynose.
-
If i drop the dwarf cichild but stick with the urostriatum; would a couple chocolate cichild (Hypselecara temporalis) be an option or woudl they be too large for the tetra/cory? Conversely i suppose i could go with angels/festum - maybe 7 festums and 4 angels to 6 angels.
-
So something like
20 sterbai
30 serape
10 urostriatum (these don't hang at the bottom)
7 festum
6 angels
some fast moving schooling tetra at the top (what species?)
8-12 geo m/u.
 
I’ve not got the experience of stocking a tank this size, but if it were mine, basing it around Congo tetra would be high on the list for me.
 
favor serape over black phantom
These are known as fin nippers albeit it is often because they are kept in too small numbers and apparently too warm. I’d go for red phantoms for a similar look but lower risk. I wouldn’t fancy chancing serapes with geophagus and their long streamers or angelfish.

I think chocolate cichlids or the angelfish would be ok as an option. The dianema will spend most of their time in the bottom but do occasionally like perch abit higher up on hardscape and plants.

Moenkhausia costae is a really strong schooler which would be a good option. The issue with most tetras once they realise they’re not at risk of being predated is they stop schooling. In fact most of my male hyphessobrycon are actually territorial. I find hemmigramus species to be abit more chilled and more schooling than hyphessobrycon. The choice of tetras now is massive so you just need to go with a species you like the look of really.

It’s a massive tank and nearly all your suggestions are decent ones so it’s ultimately deciding what fish you like best and then work the rest of the stocking around them.

Cheers
 
These are known as fin nippers albeit it is often because they are kept in too small numbers and apparently too warm. I’d go for red phantoms for a similar look but lower risk. I wouldn’t fancy chancing serapes with geophagus and their long streamers or angelfish.

I think chocolate cichlids or the angelfish would be ok as an option. The dianema will spend most of their time in the bottom but do occasionally like perch abit higher up on hardscape and plants.

Moenkhausia costae is a really strong schooler which would be a good option. The issue with most tetras once they realise they’re not at risk of being predated is they stop schooling. In fact most of my male hyphessobrycon are actually territorial. I find hemmigramus species to be abit more chilled and more schooling than hyphessobrycon. The choice of tetras now is massive so you just need to go with a species you like the look of really.

It’s a massive tank and nearly all your suggestions are decent ones so it’s ultimately deciding what fish you like best and then work the rest of the stocking around them.

Cheers
I've been keeping serape with angels the past 2 years at (78 during winter 84 at summer) and they don't nip them; maybe i'm just lucky or it is how i scape the tank who knows.

Are chocolate cichilid going to prey on serape/black phantom/red phantoms/white fin rosy/... ? -- I'll see if Moenkhausia costae are available; bit worried it will be warm for them. Not a tetra but the kubotai rasbora is the kind of fish i'm looking for - strong schooler (even when safe) and always near the top; obviously they are too small for this stocking as well as temp being unsuitable. I had thought rummy would be similar to them - sticking near the top and the 8 foot length would be favorable to their behavior.
-
The sister aquarium is 10x4 - and it is deciding if i want to put the angels/festum in that aquarium with the angels or this one. I'm leaning towards the geo/chocolate/cat fishes mentioned and a bunch of tetra and putting the angels/festum with the loaches and adding a couple of mid size dwarfs - probably lats. For that tank i will be going with a layout similar to what I did with the 120; but a bit more open areas in the front middle due to the increase in size (with most of the really dense planting on the 3 or 4 foot on both sides); what my serape do is mostly hang in the plants away from the angels:
120_march_27_2021.jpg


Thanks for the comments.
 
I've been keeping serape with angels the past 2 years at (78 during winter 84 at summer) and they don't nip them; maybe i'm just lucky or it is how i scape the tank who knows.
Maybe it’s just people keeping them in insufficient numbers.
 
Silver hatchet fish? Strong schooler, decent size and always at the top.
There is a large silver hatchet (I forget the name); but i worry about them being proficient and constant jumpers. Also do they actually school ?
 
There is a large silver hatchet (I forget the name); but i worry about them being proficient and constant jumpers. Also do they actually school ?
I think you might be talking about triportheus, they get around six inches or so. All hatches are great jumpers unfortunately.
 
Back
Top