Cichlid Compatibility

[jvc66]

Hi guys,
so I am halfway moved into the new house so that means my timeline for my new tank is getting shorter and shorter. Originally was going with a 180 gallon but decided I might as well push for the 225 (72x30x24) for my order.

I had decided on mimicking Stanzzzz7 Andinoacara Rivulatus tank but now questioning it since I will be keeping my existing bala sharks that I currently have. I currently have 4 since one managed to sneak out. One is 7" and the other three are about 4". So whatever stocking I do have these balas will be included since they are my girlfriends favorite. So I am thinking the Green terrors are out of the equation unfortunately.

First group would be the balas, 6-8 Geophagus Red head Tapajos, 5-6 assorted Severum, and maybe a few festivums.

Second group would be the balas, 1 Vieja synspilum or melanura (need some help between the two), 6-8 thorichthys maculipinnis or ellioti. I think thats all I can do for that?

thanks for the help!

 

[Gourami Swami]

Why no green terrors with bala sharks? No reason that shouldn't work IMO.

 

[jvc66]

Why no green terrors with bala sharks? No reason that shouldn't work IMO.

I am still pushing for it but worried with 6 Green terrors and smaller bala sharks they might become lunch at some point. If I were to do the GTs I would grab two more large bala sharks to try and give them a better chance

 

[Gourami Swami]

Bala sharks get huge, and at 7" and 4", there is zero chance of a green terror eating them. GT's grow slowly, and top out at 10-12". Your other stock list contains a vieja, they get much larger than the GT's grow faster, and would be more of a worry. But honestly, either stock, nothing is going to eat 4" balas unless you had like a 12" piscivorous fish like a parachromis.

 

[jvc66]

Bala sharks get huge, and at 7" and 4", there is zero chance of a green terror eating them. GT's grow slowly, and top out at 10-12". Your other stock list contains a vieja, they get much larger than the GT's grow faster, and would be more of a worry. But honestly, either stock, nothing is going to eat 4" balas unless you had like a 12" piscivorous fish like a parachromis.

I guess I am just over thinking it. Reading DarylMac thread about his SAEs getting picked off made me worry a little more. All three options could be awesome tanks so I will be deciding with the gf since she likes all the different colors

 

[Gourami Swami]

Yeah man I would not worry about balas, SAE's are super thin-bodied in comparison, and get much smaller. In a year or so, your bala's will probably be bigger than your GT's

 

[jvc66]

Yeah man I would not worry about balas, SAE's are super thin-bodied in comparison, and get much smaller. In a year or so, your bala's will probably be bigger than your GT's

One of the little guys has not really grown in length in what I would say a year length wise. Just gotten thicker which I thought was a little strange. but the other two small guys keep getting bigger. Cant wait for them to be as big as my other bala. Just interesting to watch them zoom around the tank

 

[Dustin3006]

Get the Gts and balas

 

[jvc66]

Get the Gts and balas

thats two votes for GTs now

 

[FishKing5]

Hi guys,
so I am halfway moved into the new house so that means my timeline for my new tank is getting shorter and shorter. Originally was going with a 180 gallon but decided I might as well push for the 225 (72x30x24) for my order.

I had decided on mimicking Stanzzzz7 Andinoacara Rivulatus tank but now questioning it since I will be keeping my existing bala sharks that I currently have. I currently have 4 since one managed to sneak out. One is 7" and the other three are about 4". So whatever stocking I do have these balas will be included since they are my girlfriends favorite. So I am thinking the Green terrors are out of the equation unfortunately.

First group would be the balas, 6-8 Geophagus Red head Tapajos, 5-6 assorted Severum, and maybe a few festivums.

Second group would be the balas, 1 Vieja synspilum or melanura (need some help between the two), 6-8 thorichthys maculipinnis or ellioti. I think thats all I can do for that?

thanks for the help!

Everybody seems to have green terrors. A group of Melanura or synspilum are awesome especially in a 225. Theres no technical difference between the two but I refer to synspilum as your typical red heads with the blue bodies, the melanura I refer as the fish with more orange and blue in their bodies and are more elongated. The synspilum are more football shaped. The first pic is a melanura from the Laguna Yaxha location to show a difference.