Cichlid and BGK tank

[Davidiator]

Hi yall,
I might be getting a 150 gallon tank this week/weekend and was wondering what to make it.

Definite fish going in:
8" Black Ghost Knifefish x1
3"-4" Clown Loach x1
1" Clown Loach x4

I want the tank to be VERY colorful and pretty.

The equipment will be 2 Eheim canister filters that are both rated to filter 200 gallons on there own.
And i don't know what light i will go with (probably a led light strip)

Basically i want fish that will be VERY colorful and will live with the BGK and the CLs

I love GTs and Oscars but I know that both will kill the other fish so i need something else.
thanks

 

[Gourami Swami]

I don't know too much about knifes, but as far as colorful less-aggressive cichlids, geophagus are great. Lots of south American options that are tolerant of tankmates. guianacara, keyhole cichlids, cupidos, festivum to name a few. Not sure if the bgk would eat them, but some larger tetras would look great too. And they would all be from SA. would make a nice tank

 

[Davidiator]

Well I heard that the BGK can live with anything 3" or larger and that won't attack them

 

[Ogertron3000]

I'd go for electric blue acara, peaceful, colourful and decent size without being too big.
I find they are the most commented on fish in my tank by all my non fish keeping friends.
Geos are also a good suggestion as mentioned above or even some type of Rams or apistos.nyhese might be a bit small when the BGK grows though.

 

[Davidiator]

Will this stocking work?

BGK x1 (already own)
Clown Loaches x5 (already own)
Hi-Fin Pleco x1 (already own)
Electric blue Acura x1
Angelfish x? (How many can I have?)

 

[Davidiator]

Well scratch the acara lol.
How many angelfish could I have with the BGK, c Loaches, and pleco?

 

[Davidiator]

I hate being indecisive!!!
But if i was to sell the BGK could i make the tank a cichlid tank? I don't want small cichlids i want a GT and a pearl cichlid for sure.
maybe even an Oscar...
what else could go in with those 3?

 

[Backfromthedead]

assortment of acaras maybe? you could have a nice group of geos. you could have a chocolate cichlid or a severum. or even a group of angelfish if youre into them.

 

[Davidiator]

could i breed GTs and still have some sort of other fishes?

 

[Gourami Swami]

could i breed GTs and still have some sort of other fishes?

Yeah, other non-cichlid tankmates like tetras, maybe some chalceus, would be pretty easy to do in a 150 with a pair of GT in my opinion. While breeding they might need to be divided if your pair becomes ultra-aggressive. But they might just ignore the non-cichlids as long as they stay out of their immediate fry-area.