320 gallon tank stocking

[mindstate]

I've ordered a 1225L (323 gallon) tank and 300L (80 gallon) sump. Dimension are 250*70*70 cm (98*27*27 inch). Sorry these dimensions translate badly to feet.

However, It will be a SA cichlid tank. I'm thinking about the following stocking:

7 adult Geophagus Sveni (already owned)
5-7 Heros sp. Curare
1 pair Hypselecara temporalis

Heros and chocolate cichlids will be bought as juveniles.

Sand substrate, driftwood, smooth rocks, hopefully some sturdy plants like anubias and java fern.

Any thought or comments here? Any advice?

 

[Backfromthedead]

Beautiful tank size...ive been trying to wrangle away a 96x27x27 from a coworker for years now. For me its really a perfect size.

Consider a group of chalceus that will inhabit the top of the tank. Yellowfin chalceus (chalceus erythrurus) are a more colorful option and pinktail chalceus (chalceus macrolepidota) are not as colorful but just as impressive in their own right imo.

Silver dollars are always an option for a tank this size. If its me, i would opt for a larger group of metynnis sp dollars vs a smaller group of larger dollars like myleus or myloplus.

If you can find some, triportheus hatchetfish (sometime sold as "dusky narrow hatchetfish) could be another great option as a medium sized shoaling fish that primarily inhabits the top of the tank.

For bottom dwellers, im a fan of the midsize pimelodus species like ornatus, blochii, or tetramerus. Just make sure theyre of large enough size when you introduce them to avoid becoming prey for hungry cichlids. This goes for all fish ive mentioned here i suppose. You may want to avoid bottom dwellers if you really want to showcase those sveni though.

Look forward to seeing your progress, keep us posted.

 

[mindstate]

Beautiful tank size...ive been trying to wrangle away a 96x27x27 from a coworker for years now. For me its really a perfect size.

Consider a group of chalceus that will inhabit the top of the tank. Yellowfin chalceus (chalceus erythrurus) are a more colorful option and pinktail chalceus (chalceus macrolepidota) are not as colorful but just as impressive in their own right imo.

Silver dollars are always an option for a tank this size. If its me, i would opt for a larger group of metynnis sp dollars vs a smaller group of larger dollars like myleus or myloplus.

If you can find some, triportheus hatchetfish (sometime sold as "dusky narrow hatchetfish) could be another great option as a medium sized shoaling fish that primarily inhabits the top of the tank.

For bottom dwellers, im a fan of the midsize pimelodus species like ornatus, blochii, or tetramerus. Just make sure theyre of large enough size when you introduce them to avoid becoming prey for hungry cichlids. This goes for all fish ive mentioned here i suppose. You may want to avoid bottom dwellers if you really want to showcase those sveni though.

Look forward to seeing your progress, keep us posted.

Thanks for your reply man! It's quite the upgrade for me after having multiple 50g tanks with apisto's, tetra's, corydoras etc.

I have to research your suggestions and get back to you. I will definitely update here.

 

[mindstate]

Would Hoplarchus Psittacus work with the 7 adult Geophagus Sveni and a pair of Chocolate cichlids? If so, how many?

Tapwater parameters:
Ph 7
Kh 5
Gh 8
No2 0
Nh3 0
Po3 0
NO3 0

 

[Fishman Dave]

IMO I think true parrots may be a little aggressive and will almost certainly require a lower/ much lower ph to thrive.

 

[mindstate]

IMO I think true parrots may be a little aggressive and will almost certainly require a lower/ much lower ph to thrive.

Thanks for your reply.

Ok, so what are my options for the middle and top layer of this tank?

 

[Fishman Dave]

Often think that we get bigger tanks and always keep bigger fish, when in reality, nature has groups of multiple sizes and types. I don’t keep a vast array of larger cichlids but the ones I do keep seem to work well together. Such as geophagus with angels. But then I also like activity so for that I go medium barbs like filament or mascara and Congo tetras. I find that whilst there is no definitive upper level fish, barbs and congos are often in the upper layers too.
BUT, as you can tell, I have not chosen for your SA cichlid tank.

 

[duanes]

I agree with Backfromthedead, about not limiting the tank to just cichlids (even though cichlids are "my major interest").
In most new world ecosystems, cichlids are "not" the most predominant fish feature of the system.
This may be the case in the rift lakes of Africa, but not in the new world.
Characins are almost almost the predominant fish, often 10 or more tetras, to each individual cichlid.
And these non-cichlids, act as (besides food) a source of security and comfort for the cichlids there.
I was collecting in a river today in Panama, and for each cichlid I saw, there were perhaps 50 to 100 tetras.

 

[FJB]

+1 for the Triportheus hatchets!
A group of silver dollars would be awesome.
A group of 6 Hemiodus would be great as well.
But the above should be either or, not all together.
Your tank would be sweet! Look forward to seeing it. Good luck!

 

[Backfromthedead]

ryansmith83 or aquaticeye might know something about the compatibility of that many red tiger heros in your tank. Ive heard that curare red tigers are amongst the aggressive and largest of severums. You could possibly end up with a few breeding pairs wreaking havoc on each other once they are all mature. But im sure such fish would be easily rehomed/relocated/sold.