Can I, or is it possible for me to add a geo to my tank?

[Zack cloutier]

Just wanted to pick your brains and see if this idea would work?

In my 125 i have
1 tiger oscar 7”
1 chocolate cichlid 5”
1 tire track eel 12-14”
1 gibbs pleco 4”
1 marble motoro 6” disc

I understand the ray will not live in this tank its entire life i am in the process of building a house witch in the basement will be a good size pond! But for now hes doing great!

I want to add a single Geo. Just to dig through the sand and i think they are beautiful. If i get a larger 8-10” male would it be aggressive enough to compete in my tank? My lfs has a large red head geo for 50$ but its in with a school of them. Is this a fish that should be kept in schools or would having a single one with my other fish be a no go?

The tank is overly filtered. 2x ac110’s and a fluval fx4. Any thoughs or suggestions would be appreciated!

 

[Rocksor]

Tank will be overstocked when all fish (even without moto and geo) are adults. With current stocking be prepared to do more than 100% water change as they approach 1 year.

 

[Gourami Swami]

If you plan on moving at least the eel and ray out within about 6 months, you might get away with one of the smaller species, though tank would be heavily stocked for sure. I do think the Geo would be better off in a group of it's own kind, and I don't think there's room for a whole group of Geos. I think smarter move would probably be to just wait until you can move the other fish out and devote the 125 to a whole group of geos.

 

[Zack cloutier]

Ok so let me ask this. What is the limit to be considered overstocked? Im not saying my tank is or is not overstocked but is there a general guideline or rule to go by?
Im just having a hard time looking at my tank with the fish currently in it and not seeing it being able to house one more good size fish. Maybe a geo isnt the route to go but there must be something else or something im totally missing here lol

 

[Allan01230]

geos do better in a group of six or so not they are a schooling fish just seem tolike to be in a colony, I had six geo altrifons with a pleco in a 125 and they used every bit of the tank as adults try a trio of mascra barbs if you like the look they are very active

 

[Zack cloutier]

geos do better in a group of six or so not they are a schooling fish just seem tolike to be in a colony, I had six geo altrifons with a pleco in a 125 and they used every bit of the tank as adults try a trio of mascra barbs if you like the look they are very active

Seems like mascara barbs would be an expensive snack for my oscar dont you think? Lol

 

[EntoStentor]

A very expensive snack. I think your tank is full as it is.

 

[Backfromthedead]

I think you could rehome/sell the ray and the eel to make your stock at least manageable. Those fish require a larger, wider tank. Wouldnt worry about any more fish tbh.

 

[Gourami Swami]

There is no set rule for stocking, the reason everyone is saying you don't have room for more fish, is because right now your fish are babies, but in 6 months to a year when they mature, the tank will look very different. Also, many of us advise based on keeping nitrates in an acceptable level (20ppm and under for most here) without having an excessive water change schedule. How many water changes do you want to do per week? If you are willing to do 2 or 3 you could probably keep another fish. If you think one is enough, you will probably have high nitrates if you added more fish, after they are full grown.

 

[Zack cloutier]

There is no set rule for stocking, the reason everyone is saying you don't have room for more fish, is because right now your fish are babies, but in 6 months to a year when they mature, the tank will look very different. Also, many of us advise based on keeping nitrates in an acceptable level (20ppm and under for most here) without having an excessive water change schedule. How many water changes do you want to do per week? If you are willing to do 2 or 3 you could probably keep another fish. If you think one is enough, you will probably have high nitrates if you added more fish, after they are full grown.

I currently do 2-3 wc a week water parameters are ideal! I have the heavy filtration strictly for a larger amount of beneficial bacteria to handle the larger messy fish lol