Stocking idea for 300-500 gallon Aquarium

[Trouser Cough]

Is there a size/behavior difference in Silver and Black Arowanas?

Hmmm... I think there is but I'm not sure everyone does. In my experience the silver arowana often has a meatier appearance. When you look down through the top of the tank the silver's back is often wide where the black is slightly more lithe and moves in a slightly more elegant (if that's the right word) manner. It's also been my experience that if you have a tank large enough to grow either to full size the silver will probably be bigger than the black though both will get around 3' or more as full grown adults in an aquarium. The silver maybe a bit longer. Generally speaking the black arowana will have nearly the same coloration as a silver once it's 6-8" long but the black (edit) will have a slight sheen of something else as well. A little pink, a little blue, etc. but only slight.

I also think the black is a hair more skittish but again only marginally so. Both have the same inherent nature which is to make a high drama escape when startled. Sometimes that's just a huge splash. Other times they're heading out the top. Many fish have identifiable tendencies that you can recognize quickly and a random example would be that Peacock Bass have was appears to be a dorsal fin right behind their dorsal fin. When you see that you know the fish you're looking at is going to be an extremely fast fish because he's not just using the forward dorsal like a keel to keep him in a straight line; he actually pushes with that second (adipose) fin.

When you see a fish like an arowana it looks to have almost a single fin that wraps around 60% of the fish's body. That's a fish that can develop amazing thrust for a short distance and that distance can be straight up.

My largest tank has a young black arowana in it (roughly 2' long) and I've heard him hit the lid several times. When they get jumpy it won't usually be a single jump... it's more likely to be 5 or 10 jumps in 5 or 10 minutes. I have a piece of 2" thick solid foam insulation atop the tank and it's held down by parachute cord that's anchored to tank plumbing on either side of the aquarium. In years past I've used a few 2x4's on top and other tricks to keep them in. The foam has mildew inhibitors in it but it doesn't seem to effect the tank stock.

 

[Trouser Cough]

The blacks I've had have always been a little easier on tank mates. The silver's usually too... but if you do wind up w/ an aggressive arowana it's silver.

 

[SmokyCartoon]

Hmmm... I think there is but I'm not sure everyone does. In my experience the silver arowana often has a meatier appearance. When you look down through the top of the tank the silver's back is often wide where the black is slightly more lithe and moves in a slightly more elegant (if that's the right word) manner. It's also been my experience that if you have a tank large enough to grow either to full size the silver will probably be bigger than the black though both will get around 3' or more as full grown adults in an aquarium. The silver maybe a bit longer. Generally speaking the black arowana will have nearly the same coloration as a silver once it's 6-8" long but the black (edit) will have a slight sheen of something else as well. A little pink, a little blue, etc. but only slight.

I also think the black is a hair more skittish but again only marginally so. Both have the same inherent nature which is to make a high drama escape when startled. Sometimes that's just a huge splash. Other times they're heading out the top. Many fish have identifiable tendencies that you can recognize quickly and a random example would be that Peacock Bass have was appears to be a dorsal fin right behind their dorsal fin. When you see that you know the fish you're looking at is going to be an extremely fast fish because he's not just using the forward dorsal like a keel to keep him in a straight line; he actually pushes with that second (adipose) fin.

When you see a fish like an arowana it looks to have almost a single fin that wraps around 60% of the fish's body. That's a fish that can develop amazing thrust for a short distance and that distance can be straight up.

My largest tank has a young black arowana in it (roughly 2' long) and I've heard him hit the lid several times. When they get jumpy it won't usually be a single jump... it's more likely to be 5 or 10 jumps in 5 or 10 minutes. I have a piece of 2" thick solid foam insulation atop the tank and it's held down by parachute cord that's anchored to tank plumbing on either side of the aquarium. In years past I've used a few 2x4's on top and other tricks to keep them in. The foam has mildew inhibitors in it but it doesn't seem to effect the tank stock.

Cost and availability of black arowanas compared to silvers?

 

[Trouser Cough]

Cost and availability of black arowanas compared to silvers?

Maybe 50 bucks more and maybe seen 20% as often as silvers.

The initial cost seems big but it's nothing when compared to the long term cost of having something like that.

 

[Ogertron3000]

There’s a huge difference in size and what you can stock between a 300 and 500G.
Realistically considering your age and lack of experience I would start with something a bit smaller. There’s still a lot of options with a 75 or a 100G.
I’m not trying to discourage your ambition but sometimes it’s easy to bite off more than you an chew. The last thing you need is a giant tank not working out and being neglected because you are bored and/or frustrated or have developed other interests as you get older.

 

[Backfromthedead]

technically not a fish but in 5th grade I kept 2 crayfish for almost a year. My dad did all of the work however

Ah I see. IMHO the sort of tank youre suggesting could be very challenging for a first time fishkeeper. There's quite a bit to learn, much of which can really only come from experience.

I think you should look for a 6x2x2 180 gallon tank and set it up for some of the fish on your list like the oscars perhaps. The 180 is a very versatile footprint and can still be a very impressive display. It has a decent volume of water to support larger fish. It's big and heavy enough to be an absolute PITA to move but not impossible by yourself. The oscars will be entertaining and grow fast, and i believe they are good fish for beginners provided you have the proper space for them.

Learn to monitor your water chemistry and educate yourself a bit on the nitrogen cycle if you haven't already. This knowledge is a requirement of anybody claiming to be a serious fishkeeper. By researching now you could potentially save yourself the trouble of learning it after you kill a tankful of fish.

Best of luck. I wanna see this tank when it comes together.

 

[breadhead]

Does this apply to the Ornate Bichir or bichirs in general?

Not particularly, ornates grow fast, so they will not be affected, just the delhezi in particular

 

[SmokyCartoon]

Ah I see. IMHO the sort of tank youre suggesting could be very challenging for a first time fishkeeper. There's quite a bit to learn, much of which can really only come from experience.

I think you should look for a 6x2x2 180 gallon tank and set it up for some of the fish on your list like the oscars perhaps. The 180 is a very versatile footprint and can still be a very impressive display. It has a decent volume of water to support larger fish. It's big and heavy enough to be an absolute PITA to move but not impossible by yourself. The oscars will be entertaining and grow fast, and i believe they are good fish for beginners provided you have the proper space for them.

Learn to monitor your water chemistry and educate yourself a bit on the nitrogen cycle if you haven't already. This knowledge is a requirement of anybody claiming to be a serious fishkeeper. By researching now you could potentially save yourself the trouble of learning it after you kill a tankful of fish.

Best of luck. I wanna see this tank when it comes together.

If I narrowed down my list to only the Oscar’s, sun catfish, ornate bichir and pleco. Would this work in a 180 gallon?

 

[Backfromthedead]

If I narrowed down my list to only the Oscar’s, sun catfish, ornate bichir and pleco. Would this work in a 180 gallon?

It could. Nothing is set in stone. Imo stocking is really just a function of tank size, compatibility, and maintenance imo. So i would say the tank would work, the fish are somewhat compatible in that tank, but your big question is maintenance. Start thinking in terms of "bioload". The more fish in your tank and the more you feed, the quicker your water chemistry changes and pollutants build up so you will have to do more and more water changes to keep your fish healthy.

So basically, imo, as long as your water quality is good and your fish are healthy and happy, you can keep as many fish as you want so long as they're not too big for the tank.

Anytime you're putting big spiny fish like plecos, bichirs, and catfish together you have to consider territoriality when the fish mature. When they get big they will be brushing fins a lot in that tank, and if you get a real prick of a fish theres always the potential for murder. A lot of people think all of a species may act exactly the same, but imo all fish have different personalities and you could end up with a charmer or a prick or an in between.

I think it'd be a good plan to start with a couple of those mentioned fish and work your way up from there. For now, Start with properly setting up your tank. You will need to cycle your tank (again, read up on "nitrogen cycle") before you are ready to go fish shopping.

 

[breadhead]

I am new to this website. I don’t know how to post. This is a post. I have a 4” delhezi bichir and at my local fish store there is a 3” ornate. Will the ornate out grow my delhezi in a 125 gallon tank and then eat him?
If the ornate can’t live in a 125 then I will keep it in my friend’s 180.