“Large” fish, planted tank?

[Aquarium2212]

Hi guys,
I’m looking to set up a 5ft, 405 litre (106 US Gallon) planted tank. I have attached a rough design idea to show what I mean by planted, but to summarise… it will be a wall of hardscape towards the back of the tank. Behind this will be the stem plants, such as Vallisneria, swords etc. Big fish should not be able to fit behind the hardscape to uproot. Once planted, I will also drop some smaller scatter gravel and rocks over the top to provide even more protection. The rest of the tank will be planted predominantly with Epiphytes such as anubias and Java fern.

What are my options for a centre piece “big cichlid.” By this I mean maybe 8-10” at most.

The plan for the rest of the stocking is…
-School of Denison Barbs(Roseline shark)
-Congo tetras
-Maybe 5/6 Electric blue Acara that could be narrowed down to 2 when bigger/paired.

I’ve seen everything from Severums, to Jack Dempsys, Green terrors and Oscars in lightly planted tanks, but just wanted to get peoples opinions on what they would do.

Discus are out the equation due to the conflicting temperatures between them and Torpedo Barbs.
Angels are being considered, but kept them so many times in the past.

I want something pretty big with a bit of personality, hopefully compatible with the Congo tetras and denison barbs, and not insanely destructive.
Maybe it’s impossible, I know it’s down to the fish, no hate please.

 

[Aquarium2212]

Hi guys,
I’m looking to set up a 5ft, 405 litre (106 US Gallon) planted tank. I have attached a rough design idea to show what I mean by planted, but to summarise… it will be a wall of hardscape towards the back of the tank. Behind this will be the stem plants, such as Vallisneria, swords etc. Big fish should not be able to fit behind the hardscape to uproot. Once planted, I will also drop some smaller scatter gravel and rocks over the top to provide even more protection. The rest of the tank will be planted predominantly with Epiphytes such as anubias and Java fern.

What are my options for a centre piece “big cichlid.” By this I mean maybe 8-10” at most.

The plan for the rest of the stocking is…
-School of Denison Barbs(Roseline shark)
-Congo tetras
-Maybe 5/6 Electric blue Acara that could be narrowed down to 2 when bigger/paired.

I’ve seen everything from Severums, to Jack Dempsys, Green terrors and Oscars in lightly planted tanks, but just wanted to get peoples opinions on what they would do.

Discus are out the equation due to the conflicting temperatures between them and Torpedo Barbs.
Angels are being considered, but kept them so many times in the past.

I want something pretty big with a bit of personality, hopefully compatible with the Congo tetras and denison barbs, and not insanely destructive.
Maybe it’s impossible, I know it’s down to the fish, no hate please.

Hi guys,
I’m looking to set up a 5ft, 405 litre (106 US Gallon) planted tank. I have attached a rough design idea to show what I mean by planted, but to summarise… it will be a wall of hardscape towards the back of the tank. Behind this will be the stem plants, such as Vallisneria, swords etc. Big fish should not be able to fit behind the hardscape to uproot. Once planted, I will also drop some smaller scatter gravel and rocks over the top to provide even more protection. The rest of the tank will be planted predominantly with Epiphytes such as anubias and Java fern.

What are my options for a centre piece “big cichlid.” By this I mean maybe 8-10” at most.

The plan for the rest of the stocking is…
-School of Denison Barbs(Roseline shark)
-Congo tetras
-Maybe 5/6 Electric blue Acara that could be narrowed down to 2 when bigger/paired.

I’ve seen everything from Severums, to Jack Dempsys, Green terrors and Oscars in lightly planted tanks, but just wanted to get peoples opinions on what they would do.

Discus are out the equation due to the conflicting temperatures between them and Torpedo Barbs.
Angels are being considered, but kept them so many times in the past.

I want something pretty big with a bit of personality, hopefully compatible with the Congo tetras and denison barbs, and not insanely destructive.
Maybe it’s impossible, I know it’s down to the fish, no hate please.

Won’t let me upload the design picture for some reason

 

[Berts46ers]

Won’t let me upload the design picture for some reason

Can you screenshot the design picture then upload as an image?

 

[Aquarium2212]

Can you screenshot the design picture then upload as an image?

I’m trying to do that but the image gets to around 95% then fails

 

[Berts46ers]

I’m trying to do that but the image gets to around 95% then fails

Oh that sucks…

 

[tlindsey]

Hi guys,
I’m looking to set up a 5ft, 405 litre (106 US Gallon) planted tank. I have attached a rough design idea to show what I mean by planted, but to summarise… it will be a wall of hardscape towards the back of the tank. Behind this will be the stem plants, such as Vallisneria, swords etc. Big fish should not be able to fit behind the hardscape to uproot. Once planted, I will also drop some smaller scatter gravel and rocks over the top to provide even more protection. The rest of the tank will be planted predominantly with Epiphytes such as anubias and Java fern.

What are my options for a centre piece “big cichlid.” By this I mean maybe 8-10” at most.

The plan for the rest of the stocking is…
-School of Denison Barbs(Roseline shark)
-Congo tetras
-Maybe 5/6 Electric blue Acara that could be narrowed down to 2 when bigger/paired.

I’ve seen everything from Severums, to Jack Dempsys, Green terrors and Oscars in lightly planted tanks, but just wanted to get peoples opinions on what they would do.

Discus are out the equation due to the conflicting temperatures between them and Torpedo Barbs.
Angels are being considered, but kept them so many times in the past.

I want something pretty big with a bit of personality, hopefully compatible with the Congo tetras and denison barbs, and not insanely destructive.
Maybe it’s impossible, I know it’s down to the fish, no hate please.

Welcome aboard

 

[Aquarium2212]

Managed to attach a copy of the plan on the laptop

 

[Aquarium2212]

The plan doesn't quite demonstrate how protected the stem plants will be. The hardscape will be right up against the back of the tank with just enough room for the leaves to grow up. Hopefully cichlid safe!

any recommendations? Severum seems perfect in terms of size and reasonably peaceful, but I know they love to eat plants

 

[duanes]

Water temp, and water parameters are going to be a major factor /stumbling blocks in how you do your stocking.
Denison barbs would prefer water temps between 60'F, to low 70s "F, and neutral water parameters (pH 7ish )they are found in fast flowing streams, at higher altitudes in northern India, hence the lower temps)
None of the other fish you mention exist in those conditions.
While Congo tetras will appreciate the higher flow rate, but they come from lower altitudes, so naturally, warmer waters in Africa.
The severums prefer much slower flow and even higher temps, and softer , low pH parameters, pH below 7, and around 80'F temps in Amazonia.
Blue Acaras are also from equatorial northern S America, so will be a more warm water species, but other parameters match.

Cichlids that handle the same cooler temps, and chemical parameters as the Denisons, would be found in southern S America in countries like southern Brazil, Uruguay and Argentina, these are more temperate areas. These cichlids are also not phased by stronger flows
Here are a couple


Cichlids from northern Mexico would also work, smaller Herichthys may be OK but size may be a factor, if the Denisons are small, and cichlids large, the barbs could be snacks.
I usually do not advocate combining continents, but in your case, convergent evolution could be your friend, if you do a little research into what species will go together.
For Denisons and the cichlids I mention, a heater would not be needed, room temp will work.

Another cichlid option could be those of the Geophagus braziliensus group from the cooler, flowing streams of southern Brazil.

These are also predatory, so size will matter in combining.

 

[Ogertron3000]

I’m not sure if it will work with the Congo tetras but a salvini would look good in that scape and they are usually okay with plants too.