how do you decide what to stock?

[adamsfishes]

I'm starting to set up my 125, and there are so many different directions I could go with stocking it. There are so many great fish, and so many combinations.

In a general sense, I've narrowed it down to either SA or CA cichlids.

If I go CA, it will most likely be a combination of a Thorichthys species with some Cryptoheros and swordtails.

SA is more complicated ... I've at least decided no "monsters" since a 125 is too small, and I don't want just 1 or 2 fish.

There are just so many options for SA cichlids. Acaras, dwarfs, eartheaters, pikes, etc.

How do you decide?

PS. And no, I'm not setting up multiple tanks!

 

[jaws7777]

Neither sa nor ca....i'd pick something you never kept

 

[Lawlboom]

How do I decide? 99% of the time it's impulse. I have an empty 180 and I decided I was going to do Vieja. Started a thread, developed a plan. All professional and what not... then I saw someone giving away for breeding pair of dovii for dirt cheap.

So now I have a breeding pair of dovii

 

[Ihsnshaik]

How do I decide? 99% of the time it's impulse. I have an empty 180 and I decided I was going to do Vieja. Started a thread, developed a plan. All professional and what not... then I saw someone giving away for breeding pair of dovii for dirt cheap.

So now I have a breeding pair of dovii

LMAO this happens to me all the time.

I honestly think okay what species would max out in my tank and go from there. I am practical and know about many species and how they can interact with each other.

I want clown loaches right now but I can only find small ones and my rays will eat them sooner or later since loaches grow slow.

 

[adamsfishes]

I only ever had one tank before, and that was a SA tank with discus, corys and cardinal tetras. I've been out of the hobby for 6-7 years now.

 

[Oddball]

PS. And no, I'm not setting up multiple tanks!

Dang. You just killed my suggestion. I just kept adding tanks. Reached over 33K gallons in over 125 tanks to achieve the bio-diversity I had.

 

[jaws7777]

When i got back into the hobby i naturally went with what i was familiar with sa/ca.. wife wanted a polypterus now we are addicted to them. Thats why i say try something you have never kept...be surprised at what interests you

 

[markstrimaran]

I started at the nearest creek. Then found cichlids on craigslist. I also have hard water.

 

[adamsfishes]

My water is both very soft and alkaline. A bit of a weird combination, so I'm kind of torn on which way to go... keep it soft and acidify it (SA) or keep it alkaline and harden it (CA).

 

[esoxlucius]

Dang. You just killed my suggestion. I just kept adding tanks. Reached over 33K gallons in over 125 tanks to achieve the bio-diversity I had.

My god, did you have a sign outside your house saying Local Fish Store!!!!