120 community tank ideas

[Joshuakahan]

I’m thinking about going a different direction with my 120. I’ve never really done a community tank, I’m thinking I could make an interesting one with my 120. I would like to have my pair of multispinosa in it, but what would be a good schooling fish, bottom fish etc... would like to stick to south n Central America
I’m thinking
The multispinosa
A few angels
A school of columbian tetra
Some type of Cory cats
A couple BN plecos
But not really sure , so any ideas are welcome

 

[Fishnerd360]

I know you want to stick to SA/CA fish, but spiny eels are fun. Macrognathus pancalus have personalities, active, and does well with my SA cichlids.

 

[Joshuakahan]

I know you want to stick to SA/CA fish, but spiny eels are fun. Macrognathus pancalus have personalities, active, and does well with my SA cichlids.

Thanks, Those are cool, I’ve had some types of spiny eels over the years, I’m just thinking about doing something I’ve never done, I’ve never really kept schooling fish or created a continent specific community tank.

 

[GentleGiantsCichlidKeeper]

I don't know if you've had them before but a Golden Severum, or another type of Severum sounds like it would do good to me. Especially with that 120 it would have plenty of space. It's very peaceful, and i'm sure it wouldn't mess with any other fish because of their size. The Colombian Tetras would be protected because they're in a school as well.

 

[Joshuakahan]

I don't know if you've had them before but a Golden Severum, or another type of Severum sounds like it would do good to me. Especially with that 120 it would have plenty of space. It's very peaceful, and i'm sure it wouldn't mess with any other fish because of their size. The Colombian Tetras would be protected because they're in a school as well.

Thanks, I’ve had a green severum and it didn’t get along with my current stock, but that might be a good idea. My current stock are larger fish which I’ll sell off if I do this. You think a severum would be ok in there with a pair of rainbow cichlids and the other fish I mentioned, minus the angels of course?

 

[duanes]

There are so many interesting geographically correct species that are also comfortable in the same water conditions the Herotilapia prefer.
I find trying to keep soft water South Americans with hard water Central Americans can be problematic in the long run.
There are many species of tetras from the same area in Costa Rica, I keep those of the genus Roeboides that don't wimp out in pH 8.2 my Panamanian water.

Live bearers of the genus Poecilia are also found with multispinossa.

and although multispinossa are basically bottom dwellers themselves, there are plenty of those chupapiedras, the local name (translation stone suckers) found in Costa Rica
Many gobys share waters with them such as the Awaous species below.

And of course there are a number of Central American plecos from this area.
The one below was caught in the same river near San Martin, Panama with the Awaous, and tetras pictured above

I have kept all of the above "geographically correct species" with my Panamanian Andinoacara coerleopunctatus, the main featured cichlid in the tank.

 

[GentleGiantsCichlidKeeper]

Thanks, I’ve had a green severum and it didn’t get along with my current stock, but that might be a good idea. My current stock are larger fish which I’ll sell off if I do this. You think a severum would be ok in there with a pair of rainbow cichlids and the other fish I mentioned, minus the angels of course?

I think a Golden Severum would as it is the docile of the Severum species. A Green Severum is the meanest, and most aggressive IMO.

 

[Joshuakahan]

I think a Golden Severum would as it is the docile of the Severum species. A Green Severum is the meanest, and most aggressive IMO.

Gotcha, I may try one then, they’re beautiful fish

 

[Joshuakahan]

I think I’ve decided what I’m gonna go with, I decided to do this in my 75 instead of 120 and leave the multispinosa in their current tank
So how does this sound for a 75
12 columbian tetras
6 Odessa barbs
1 gold severum
5 green Cory cats
1 BN pleco
Think that will work in a 75 ?
Can I add more or any other fish, would like a blue gourami or a geophagus or an Angel, just not sure if that will work with my plans

 

[celebrist]

Odessa barbs are beautiful, mine proved relatively short lived at around 2 years