5x2x2 tank stocking

[Bertie]

I have a 5x2x2 aquarium with a fx5 and wanted to know what you thought about this tank stocking,
1 red terror
1 vieja argentea
1 Vieja synspilum
1 pantano cichlid
1 salvini cichlid
2 rainbow cichlid
1 thorichthys aureus
Would you recommend any other fish or if you think the tank is over stocked,I also have a featherfin catfish.

 

[dan518]

Well over stocked, imo any of the vieja sp need a 6 ft 180 at least. Maybe look more at a pair of parachromis loisellei or a pair of salvini, hets, a group of 8 Thorichthys sp.

 

[Rocksor]

That's a small space for larger cichlids like argentea, festae and pearsei, especially if they are all males. You'll have significant aggression issues in about 2 years if not earlier.

 

[Gourami Swami]

I agree with these guys, I would not keep 12"+ fish like a vieja or red terror in the tank unless it was alone as a wet pet, or maybe with a pair of cryptoheros or the like. The pantano may do alright with small tankmates, but a full grown male would do better with a 180 gallon 6'. Do you have the fish already?
The rainbow cichlids and Aureus would do well in the tank, as would the salvini, with smiliarly sized tankmates. The salvini however is generally much more aggressive than the rainbow and aureus, which may cause issues.
I have a 5' tank with a group of 6 P. Panamensis, and a few other cichlids I am growing out. The tank is very active and entertaining, and there is not much serious aggression. Stocking heavily in a 5' tank will only work with smaller cichlids that grow to about 5-6" or so in my opinion, you really need at least a 180 to do a multiple large tank busters like vieja, etc.

 

[Bertie]

Ok, these were just ideas for the tank, do u have any other suggestions for stocking, I want the tank to be entertaining as well as the fish have some personality, in another 5ft tank but only 80 gallons I have a group of 6 silver dollars with a geo brasiliensis, they could move up to this tank if you had any suggestions of fish I could put with them, that tank will be going so I would either sell the fish or put them in the new tank but I want to start over so I can have new fish

 

[Gourami Swami]

Personally I'd do a group of 8ish small/med growing cichlids of your choice (cryptoheros or thoricthys or similar genus) with a small school of swordtails/similar fish (ameca splendens are awesome- I have 4 in my tank). You could add a larger "centerpiece" fish as well, as long as they are not too aggressive for the little guys.
So a full stock example would be something like:
1x Carpintis Escondido (large centerpiece)
6-9x nanoluteus
5x swordtails
The only problem would be finding a larger fish that doesn't bother the smaller guys. I used Carpintis in my example because I have found them to be pretty tolerant.

 

[Bertie]

Thanks I'll think I'll go with that idea, it's finding someone who sells the fish I want.

 

[Gourami Swami]

My favorite distributors are, of course Jeff Rapps www.tangledupincichlids.com, dan at www.cichlidsoftheamericas.com, and one that I just recently used and had a good experience with, www.wetspottropicalfish.com
wet spot has nanoluteus in stock, also red points and sajica. Sajica are on the rowdy side but might work in place of nanoluteus if you prefer. they also have Escondido, and Robertsoni, which would actually be better (more peaceful) than an Escondido in my opinion.
Best of luck

 

[philipraposo1982]

my vote is for a single wetpet