Cichlids vs oddballs

[Aquanero]

Since you live in Scotland peat should be in no short supply so try your hand at a blackwater South American biotope. Pick a river system reasearch the fauna and give it a shot. That's somthing you don't see every day.

 

[Jhncf]

I've always read that gar don't do well with cichlids and that they shouldn't be mixed? Blackwater setups are nice, really set on the gar now I think. Does anyone have any nice tank mate ideas for Florida gar in a 260? Looking to plant the tank with some larger plants, add some wood and have floating plants too probably.

 

[reptilerescued]

http://www.monsterfishkeepers.com/forums/forumdisplay.php?109-Gars-amp-Bowfins

There is a 6 page sticky of tank mates for Gars there.

No cichlids don't mate good tank mates for Gars they will pick on the Gar. They are a laid back/docile fish.

Anything the Gars size or just a little bigger/smaller that is peaceful. Gars are like magpies also so silver is out unless it's big enough not to eat.
That's why I passed on the barracuda yesterday. He was just to small.

I'm wondering if I can grow him out with my Congo tetras though or if there would be problems?

Rich

 

[Jhncf]

Thanks Rich, had a read at the thread and got some ideas. Definitely thinking of Florida gar and lima shovelnoses, not sure what else I would add yet though.

 

[cichlidfish]

I'm with Justin best of both worlds has always worked for me , once you've found a balance of fish that works it can be very rewarding

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Same here. I have 2 spot astyanax tetras w/ my cichlids. They are very rare and get to 6". They are very active and I wanted something like that as cichlids typically aren't.
The challenge w/ fish mentioned in this thread is that they are cold water fish and may not work w/ the OP's fish. Also any sp. of trout is nearly impossible to keep in an aquarium.
Tropicals are easier. In a very large tank why not a large male dovii? Pbass? Wolf fish? ATFs? Shoal of piranha? Or payara?


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[reptilerescued]

I've kept 5 native trout over a year in my 160 with nothing but sponge filters.
No lights no heat.
Was cool I new I wasn't going to live at that place long and didn't want to invest in fish so I caught them out of a creek on worms and a hook.

Trick with trout is a current and cold water. All my sponge filters were at one end of the tank that caused the water to roll from one end to the other it was a slight current. and that's all they need.
that was 2001 after the 1st wife but before I bought my new house and was renting.

Rich

 

[cichlidfish]

I've kept 5 native trout over a year in my 160 with nothing but sponge filters.
No lights no heat.
Was cool I new I wasn't going to live at that place long and didn't want to invest in fish so I caught them out of a creek on worms and a hook.

Trick with trout is a current and cold water. All my sponge filters were at one end of the tank that caused the water to roll from one end to the other it was a slight current. and that's all they need.
that was 2001 after the 1st wife but before I bought my new house and was renting.

Rich

What kind? Were they rainbow? I hear they are the best for a home aquarium. I had 3" ones in a 55g about 30 years ago. Moved them to a pond after a year.


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[reptilerescued]

Just Pa native brook trout. they were pretty cool.
I might try them again in with the Gar since I can't seem to find anything I want that is big enough to not be eaten by GARfield and they are cheap ( I already have a fishing license)

Rich

 

[adr_93]

+1 on the lima shovelnose I had one and it was awesome catfish to have. Never had a gar so just food for thought but I have a red severum with my oddballs doing good rarely any aggression with the dats.

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[Jhncf]

This tank would be perfect! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CQQVCiEcNJE