72 bowfront saltwater cleaning and stocking suggestions

[AnthonyFish20]

Yeah, also I don’t think an oscar would fare well in a 72 gallon, 125 wpuld be better. I’m torn between getting a crenicichla or a flowerhorn...Crenicichlas seem awesome and have that stealthy look to them while fh are more of a wet pet but I really don’t want to run into any problems because of their genes. My lfs has one that’s about 3.5-4” long with the tail and it seems pretty healthy. However I want to ensure that both would fare well with bichirs and I’m getting mixed views on this. I’ve seen kingofdiy keep his with a bichir but I’ve heard that fh can also do a number on them.

I think u can do it put a little decor in the tank so the bichirs arent noticed too much flowerhorn are more aggressive towards other fish that swim in the middle to top of the tank. I miss mine so much he would jump out of the tank to eat pellets from my hand.

 

[tlindsey]

Yeah, also I don’t think an oscar would fare well in a 72 gallon, 125 wpuld be better. I’m torn between getting a crenicichla or a flowerhorn...Crenicichlas seem awesome and have that stealthy look to them while fh are more of a wet pet but I really don’t want to run into any problems because of their genes. My lfs has one that’s about 3.5-4” long with the tail and it seems pretty healthy. However I want to ensure that both would fare well with bichirs and I’m getting mixed views on this. I’ve seen kingofdiy keep his with a bichir but I’ve heard that fh can also do a number on them.

The greatest concern with Polypterus and Cichlids is that if a Bichir is harrassed it will not be capable of defending itself. I have one male African Peacock with my group of 3 Senegal and things are fine atm but know it could change.

 

[mantisfan101]

The greatest concern with Polypterus and Cichlids is that if a Bichir is harrassed it will not be capable of defending itself. I have one male African Peacock with my group of 3 Senegal and things are fine atm but know it could change.

Exactly, I so badly want both species but there’s just something about polys that I can’t seem to get over. I saw a photo of a senegal bichir just staring at the camera and it eas the moat adorable and hilarious thing that I’ve ever seen; the dopy and bug-eyed expression always gets me with their wide mouths. I know the damage that a flowerhorn can do and I really don’t want it to happen to a bichir. Also I’ve heard others talk about how a 75 gallon is the absolute bare minimum for a flowerhorn and that 90 gallons would be better. I want a pet that I can interact with but will also be comfortable in my tank, hence why I decided not to get an oscar.

 

[TheReefer]

Wouldn't trust a Oscar with Senegal Bichir because of their smaller slender body shape.

I dont think itll be an issue, they both get around the same size and the bichir has spines, i would just make sure the bichir has hiding places where the oscar cant get to him, but it all depends on the oscar.

 

[TheReefer]

Exactly, I so badly want both species but there’s just something about polys that I can’t seem to get over. I saw a photo of a senegal bichir just staring at the camera and it eas the moat adorable and hilarious thing that I’ve ever seen; the dopy and bug-eyed expression always gets me with their wide mouths. I know the damage that a flowerhorn can do and I really don’t want it to happen to a bichir. Also I’ve heard others talk about how a 75 gallon is the absolute bare minimum for a flowerhorn and that 90 gallons would be better. I want a pet that I can interact with but will also be comfortable in my tank, hence why I decided not to get an oscar.

If you want a pet to interact with you a jack dempsey or green terror might work, ive also gound blood parrots have personity. Theyd be perfectly fine in a 72 while an oscar and flowerhorn may be a bit cramped in the 72, but would probably be fine.

 

[mantisfan101]

If you want a pet to interact with you a jack dempsey or green terror might work, ive also gound blood parrots have personity. Theyd be perfectly fine in a 72 while an oscar and flowerhorn may be a bit cramped in the 72, but would probably be fine.

I was going for a jack dempsey but I don’t want anything that could beat up a bichir. That’s also why I chose not to add green terrors. Right now I’m really considering a crenicichla or maybe a jd if I can find a more non aggressive individual.

 

[Zanzag]

Could go for a few firemouths in with the bichirs. Not built to deal damage and can be pretty interactive, not a wet pet but interactive.

 

[mantisfan101]

Ok so after lots of thibking I decided to get a flowerhorn and some snegela or delhizi polys. I’ll probably grt a smaller fh, maybe 2-3” and keep them with the bichirs till the grow out for the 72 gallon. That way they’ll hopefully get used to each other. To be honest I was hoping that rhe bichirs would be able to be a little more aggressive since I’ve seen so many that are kept with more boisterous and mean species but turns out they’re only a threat to fish smaller than them.

 

[mantisfan101]

edit double posted.

 

[mantisfan101]

Ok so here’s what the back filter system pooks like-
Would this be good? I’m almost done and I’m going to try to get rid of as much as I cam but the positioning of the pipes and depth’s making it really difficult. I’m also going to rinse out all the ceushed sediment from the shells from the bottom and I also found out that a little gap in between the filter system has a ton more vermetid snail shells which I don’t think I can remove. Would it be ok if I just left it as it is? Would it mess up the pH or water wuality or hurt the fish in any way? The fish can’t reach it since it’s inside of the filter unless one of them nemos their way into it somehow.