Help me stock my tank.. 8x3x2

[harraj128]

So as title says I've moved away from Malawi and have a tank with a couple synodontis fish which i can get rid off if required.

I want some cool fish, leaning towards American cichlids but on the larger size as well as trying to still have some colourful options where possible?

Tank spec is 8x3x2 and running 3 FX6s. I can do 90% water changes weekly which is what I did with my malawi and the tank has an aragonite sand substrate and has zero decor.

Open to any and all suggestions so long as it meets the large and somewhat colourful criteria!

Look forward to hearing all ideas!

 

[Dmanwithnoname]

Pike cichlids are cool just saying.

Awesome tank size btw, I would like to see it. Maybe post a picture if you get around to it. I look forward to what you do with your tank.

 

[tlindsey]

So as title says I've moved away from Malawi and have a tank with a couple synodontis fish which i can get rid off if required.

I want some cool fish, leaning towards American cichlids but on the larger size as well as trying to still have some colourful options where possible?

Tank spec is 8x3x2 and running 3 FX6s. I can do 90% water changes weekly which is what I did with my malawi and the tank has an aragonite sand substrate and has zero decor.

Open to any and all suggestions so long as it meets the large and somewhat colourful criteria!

Look forward to hearing all ideas!

Welcome aboard
I suggest CA cichlids.

 

[harraj128]

Pike cichlids are cool just saying.

Awesome tank size btw, I would like to see it. Maybe post a picture if you get around to it. I look forward to what you do with your tank.

Are pike cichlids colourful? Any particular species and what can they Co exist with?

Here's a photo of a very empty tank there's a synodontis group and juvie flower horn in there until I decide what I want.

Also how long until my beneficial bacteria start dying as I had over 40 fish in there 2 days ago?

 

[Dmanwithnoname]

Thanks an insane set up, the possibilities are endless. Some of the pike cichlids are colourful, but they don’t play nice with anything that can fit in their yap. Have you ever thought of raising some fresh water rays?

 

[Dmanwithnoname]

These are probably the most colourful pike cichlid I can think of. Not cheap though

 

[tlindsey]

Also how long until my beneficial bacteria start dying as I had over 40 fish in there 2 days ago?

Once all of the food source is exhausted ammonia, waste from the fish.
You could keep the bacteria by adding a raw shrimp or fish food. Some members dose with pure ammonia.
If you're water source from the tap is hard I would avoid Pike Cichlid that come from soft water.

 

[ken31cay]

Are pike cichlids colourful? Any particular species and what can they Co exist with?

Here's a photo of a very empty tank there's a synodontis group and juvie flower horn in there until I decide what I want.

Also how long until my beneficial bacteria start dying as I had over 40 fish in there 2 days ago?

View attachment 1513028

I don't think your BB will die or decrease, just keep the filters all running as before. I had a Frontosa colony (10+ fish) in my tank for years, then got rid of them and continued to run the tank with just two fish inside. Seven months later I put in another Frontosa colony (14 fish) and did not experience a mini cycle, which shows my BB were still there.

Regarding your main question, I'm partial to Frontosa for awhile now so I would recommend taking a look at them for a tank your size. They are beautiful, graceful fish worth looking into.

 

[harraj128]

These are probably the most colourful pike cichlid I can think of. Not cheap though

They look super cool but the availability in the UK seems very slim so probably something I can't pursue. Also my water is of average hardness but I also have softened water so I have both options depending on what fish I want to keep. Maybe needs to be SA/CA but more predatory?

I don't think your BB will die or decrease, just keep the filters all running as before. I had a Frontosa colony (10+ fish) in my tank for years, then got rid of them and continued to run the tank with just two fish inside. Seven months later I put in another Frontosa colony (14 fish) and did not experience a mini cycle, which shows my BB were still there.

Regarding your main question, I'm partial to Frontosa for awhile now so I would recommend taking a look at them for a tank your size. They are beautiful, graceful fish worth looking into.

I have kept Frontosa and totally agree with your comments that they are very graceful and majestic fish.

I was thinking to move to American Cichlids as its not something I have kept yet, but theres so many different ones so its also around compatibility where I am unsure about. I was thinking to get a Midas as my LFS has one but wouldn't want that to be the only fish cichlid I could keep etc so having a few cichlids would be great and then I can have some cool oddballs as "bottom dwellers" such as bichir/catfish/pleco etc..

 

[Backfromthedead]

Umbee or Mbu puffer