So, I'm trying to put together my dream tank. I know what fish I'd like to stock, but I'm a little fuzzy about the dimensions I'll need to make it all work. I'm considering whether to go with 300 gallons or 400, or perhaps somewhere in between. I plan on keeping three oscars, a Jack Dempsey cichlid, a pearlscale cichlid (Herichthys carpintis), two jewel cichlids, a silver arowana, an achara catfish (Leiarius marmoratus), a fire eel, a very large pleco, and perhaps a bichir of some sort. I already have most of the fish, but split up amongst three growout tanks. What would be the minimum tank size I would need to give all these fish the space they require?
A question about tank size
- Thread starter QuantumManiac
- Start date
silver arowana needs at least a 4 foot wide tank. In 2 years it will hit 30” with the right care.
you will need more than 400g tank
you will need more than 400g tank
Re-reading this I see that you want jewel cichlids, those will be eaten by the catfish or possibly the bichir depending on the species. I would worry about the fire eel getting enough food and possibly being sucked on by the pleco. I have no idea about the cichlids as they’re a mystery to me as a whole,
Gourami Swami
knows more about cichlids than I.
Re-reading this I see that you want jewel cichlids, those will be eaten by the catfish or possibly the bichir depending on the species. I would worry about the fire eel getting enough food and possibly being sucked on by the pleco. I have no idea about the cichlids as they’re a mystery to me as a whole,
I agree a few incompatible species for sure.
450 at the very least. Subtract the Eel or the pleco, Silver Arowana, and Jewel Cichlids for nothing, or maybe another large cichlid, and a 400-500 could fit them. Always better to go on the bigger side. Good luck
Yea I have to agree I see a whole lot of food chainery here
For the 3 oscars, jack dempey, jewels and carpintis alone I would say a 300 would be about right. When you add a silver arowana, and the other fish you listed, the bio-load goes up quite a lot. Fire eels can get quite large, achara catfish, and you say a very large pleco. The silver arowana would also need about a 4x8 to live comfortably for life. I'd say your looking at a monster tank for that mix, somewhere above 600 gallons.
If you can only swing a 3-400g, I would rethink the stocking. The cichlids and the catfish and maybe a bichir would be OK in a 400g.
If you can only swing a 3-400g, I would rethink the stocking. The cichlids and the catfish and maybe a bichir would be OK in a 400g.
Silver arowana should reach 3'+ and 40 lbs and needs at least 1000-2000 gal for life.
Achara catfish needs a tank wider than the span of its very long maxillary barbels, which in adults can reach 4 feet.
Achara catfish needs a tank wider than the span of its very long maxillary barbels, which in adults can reach 4 feet.
