120 Stocking need ideas

  • We are currently upgrading MFK. thanks! -neo
So, speaking from some one that kept a 6ft 180 for years (and still does) then went to a 5ft 120.
That extra foot makes a world of difference. I didn’t believe it either until I had both first hand.

I think your stock (1 gt, 2 severums, 1 chocolate) May work for a while. But your gonna run into issues, severums can be mean too. My old 10 Inch severum would square up with my 10inch Oscar and hold his own just fine. So individual fish temperament is what your gonna bet on atm.

I think if you just did a couple severums, you could add the cats and schooling fish you want. And you may lose some here and there but in the end it will work out. Or maybe do a GT with some livebearers that you don’t mind losing every once in a while and a couple of rainbow cichlids. And hope the Gt isn’t just a brute that owns the tank.
Or, you can go with the “overcrowd” technique and do your desired stock, gt, Sev, Chocolate but I think your chances of adding anything schooling in that are close to none, as adults that is. It will be fine while their juveniles.

However you decide to go, good luck.
I know your pain, I’m currently trying to figure out how to stock my own 120 now that it’s grow out residence are gone.
 
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Spence said:
So I have a new 120 Gallon (5') cycling and I'm anxiously awaiting adding some life to it. I have a Green Terror (male) and a couple Severums (assuming both female but young and hard to tell) in my grow out/quarantine tank. I'm planning on adding a Chocolate as soon as the cycle completes and I can clear out my grow out tank, but also had thoughts of a bichir or fire eel instead. I would also like to try some smaller non aggressives like rainbows or rummy nose, and also a nice little batch of Cories (won't add these if I go with the bichir). What would you all add to the Terror and Severums if you were stocking a new tank?
Click to expand...
I wouldn't add rummynose or cordydoras they will be a snack for bichir,green terror and large Severum,also a fire eel would be unsuitable (grows up to 100cm) if you were looking for a bichir suitable for that tank size. Delhezi bichir (35cm) or Senegal bichir (30cm).
Depending on how aggressive your green terror is a chocolate may or may not work.
 
OK...thanks for all the input. I think I may stick with just the GT and Severums and skip any other big(ish) cichlids at least until I can get a feel for the new tank hierarchy. Maybe add 2-3 Pictus? And see what happens if I add some live bearers. Thinking Mollies or Swordtails and hope they are ignored.
 
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Has anyone had luck keeping Buenos Aires Tetras (Hyphessobrycon anisitsi) with larger cichlids? I've read that they can be fin nippers and are so active can stress out tank mates...so makes a bit nervous keeping them with severums
 
Covetous said:
So, speaking from some one that kept a 6ft 180 for years (and still does) then went to a 5ft 120.
That extra foot makes a world of difference. I didn’t believe it either until I had both first hand.

I think your stock (1 gt, 2 severums, 1 chocolate) May work for a while. But your gonna run into issues, severums can be mean too. My old 10 Inch severum would square up with my 10inch Oscar and hold his own just fine. So individual fish temperament is what your gonna bet on atm.

I think if you just did a couple severums, you could add the cats and schooling fish you want. And you may lose some here and there but in the end it will work out. Or maybe do a GT with some livebearers that you don’t mind losing every once in a while and a couple of rainbow cichlids. And hope the Gt isn’t just a brute that owns the tank.
Or, you can go with the “overcrowd” technique and do your desired stock, gt, Sev, Chocolate but I think your chances of adding anything schooling in that are close to none, as adults that is. It will be fine while their juveniles.

However you decide to go, good luck.
I know your pain, I’m currently trying to figure out how to stock my own 120 now that it’s grow out residence are gone.
Click to expand...

Yeah all the sevs I had/saw were aggressive. My dad had a 100g with a severum,a convict pair and a salvini. The severum was the boss ;-;
my severum always wants to pick fights with my Texas pair. Nothing too serious but he instigates most of the little squabbles in the tank lol.
Imo u can either get lucky and have a peaceful sev or get a pain in the a** severum lol
 
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Spence said:
Has anyone had luck keeping Buenos Aires Tetras (Hyphessobrycon anisitsi) with larger cichlids? I've read that they can be fin nippers and are so active can stress out tank mates...so makes a bit nervous keeping them with severums
Click to expand...
I haven't tried it but generally tetras that live in groups of less than 6 tend to be fin nippers.
 
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