Advice on stocking a 90 gallon

  • We are currently upgrading MFK. thanks! -neo
I can understand that you are very excited with your new aquarium but the two species you have in there already are both capable of reaching a relatively large adult size 8"+. Realistically there isn't enough room for multiple territories, though this upgrade was quite substantial for you. Personally i'd think about removing either the jd or severum and then add a group red rainbow fish (Glossolepis incisus) these can get to around 5" and are stunning sight in a well maintained and appropriate aquarium. A species that would compliment this suggested stock imo would be a single L200 green phantom.
 
So, I really enjoyed reading everyone's input - thank you!! Here's what I'd like to try:
-1 JD
-1 Gold Severum
-1 Vieja Synspilum
-1 Firemouth
-3 Dorityis (or Glossolepis)
-2 or 3 Clown loaches
-1 snowball Pleco

I'm getting everyone at 3-4". If in a year the tank seems crowded, I'll get a bigger tank :)
 
I'd seriously skip the Synspilum. I hate the tank police, but that's not a good idea. I found this picture on an ad on craigs list, does this fish look comfortable? I feel claustrophobic just looking at this picture. It's a 75 gallon, so essentially your tank.

00202_ayPu74n6KkP_600x450.jpg
 
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Lol!! Ok! Ok! I'll skip the vieja. :) Maybe the next tank... So all else good then? I'm happy to skip the 3 "dithers" (in the interest of tank bioload) but cichla thinks they're probably a good idea... And redraven, I do like the green phantoms but I just like the snowballs better... (I love my Jd and gs, they seem to really like each other so far...)
 
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Smart decision, your fish will thank you for it. Without the synspilum, I don't see a problem with the stock. Cichlids are variable in behavior, so you might have problems if yours end up being aggressive. But I would give it a shot, I think you will likely be fine with that mix.

The stocking will be on the heavy end when fish are large, so if you want to skip the rainbows, might not be a bad idea. But, I don't think the 3 rainbows are pushing you over the edge. Should be ok with them in there too. Either way, I'd recommend at least once a week 50% water change as the fish grow. Monitor your nitrates and if you have a problem keeping them at or under 20ppm, up the water changes.
 
Gourami Swami said:
Smart decision, your fish will thank you for it. Without the synspilum, I don't see a problem with the stock. Cichlids are variable in behavior, so you might have problems if yours end up being aggressive. But I would give it a shot, I think you will likely be fine with that mix.

The stocking will be on the heavy end when fish are large, so if you want to skip the rainbows, might not be a bad idea. But, I don't think the 3 rainbows are pushing you over the edge. Should be ok with them in there too. Either way, I'd recommend at least once a week 50% water change as the fish grow. Monitor your nitrates and if you have a problem keeping them at or under 20ppm, up the water changes.
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Gourami Swami said:
Smart decision, your fish will thank you for it. Without the synspilum, I don't see a problem with the stock. Cichlids are variable in behavior, so you might have problems if yours end up being aggressive. But I would give it a shot, I think you will likely be fine with that mix.

The stocking will be on the heavy end when fish are large, so if you want to skip the rainbows, might not be a bad idea. But, I don't think the 3 rainbows are pushing you over the edge. Should be ok with them in there too. Either way, I'd recommend at least once a week 50% water change as the fish grow. Monitor your nitrates and if you have a problem keeping them at or under 20ppm, up the water changes.
Click to expand...
So, now that my stock is figured out, who should I add next? How long should I wait? (Ammonia and nitrites are 0, nitrates just under 20....)
 
Probably doesn't matter the order you add them at this point. One thing I would recommend, is when you add the firemouth, do a water change just before and change the décor in the tank around. This way your fish (hopefully) won't feel like there is an intruder on their already established territory.
 
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