A different take on the usual dither question.

[Volenti]

I'm after a largish fish to encourage schooling behavior in my 90gal community tank, it's mostly Australian natives, predominatly wild caught, smelt 40+, mainly. The smelt school very well (used a 5'' oscar to test) and on the whole were too fast for the oscar to catch. Even a plain looking fish like the smelt look awsome sweeping around the tank in a tight group.

What other options do I have?, ph is 7, temp range 80 +-5. Preferably just the one specimen, doesn't need to be pretty or colorfull.

 

[tankyou]

Strange I have never seen smelt in an aquarium like that before. Pics would be cool. The Oscar seemed to be a good idea to me just make sure it doesn't get overstocked 90 gallons is not that big when you are talking Oscars.

 

[davidefc]

jack dempsey, green terror, blue acara, salvini, texas, red devil, female red terror, green texas, tiger moto theres loads dont pick anythink which will grow bigger than 12 inch

 

[BushFishRox]

ya I would get a large aggressive cichlid so every now and then he would try and chase the smelt..

 

[Volenti]

Here's a tank shot for reference;

I was thinking of a slow predator (something that's not usually a piscavore), the oscar actually would have been perfect, other than the large size they get to and the tendency they have for "redecorating".

 

[ewurm]

ya I would get a large aggressive cichlid so every now and then he would try and chase the smelt..

I agree. Jag might be good.

 

[Nova 8]

Why not get some more natives, do you plan to upgrade the tank at anytime in the future. If you had a bigger tankyour options would be much better. I would look towards perches and trout.