Differently sized pond stocking ideas

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Terror fanboii 1

Terror fanboii 1

Black Skirt Tetra
MFK Member
Sep 29, 2019
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Hi,
I have a pond measuring L=39 inches , B=29 inches and H=9 inches.
Can I put 1 green terror, 1 texas cichlid and 1 blood parrot together in this pond? I have added 5 hiding spots in it too.
(I used Aq advisor and it shows that I can keep them together and can even add some more fishes, but I don't think more than 3 cichlids can live in this pond)
 
Footprint wise your pond is the same as a 4x2 tank so I don’t think that’s a bad size for three reasonably size cichlid. However, at only 9 inches deep this probably would not be enough for fish that could grow over 6” deep.
There is the obvious concern over temperature fluctuations and if this was not an issue , and you could somehow increase the depth to say 15”, then a sexed pair of any of those type may be a better option. (Albeit the parrots would probably be sterile)
 
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Fishman Dave said:
Footprint wise your pond is the same as a 4x2 tank so I don’t think that’s a bad size for three reasonably size cichlid. However, at only 9 inches deep this probably would not be enough for fish that could grow over 6” deep.
There is the obvious concern over temperature fluctuations and if this was not an issue , and you could somehow increase the depth to say 15”, then a sexed pair of any of those type may be a better option. (Albeit the parrots would probably be sterile)
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I think you’ve got a little bit of a one dimensional view of the foot print situation

a 4’x 2’ tank with 8 square feet can possibly support a couple cichlids becuase they can get almost 4’ away from each other where as a 9sqft tank at 36” by 36” puts those same two fish in each other space no matter where they go.
This pond is a no go for 3 stout cichlids with healthy appetite for territory even if it’s deep emough
 
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Fishman Dave said:
I think I would suggest the opposite.
I think I would agree if I were buying a full grown male of each and putting them in that footprint or rather that shape space. Growing one of each from young would give a completely different experience, with any problems becoming apparent over time, giving much more opportunity to “sort” them.
what do you call “long” in the statement no not for long. 6 months? 12 months? 24 months?
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well. I appreciate your perspective. This is one of those times where everyone’s persoanl experience is going to color there POV and answer. my experience from breeding and growing out central and South American cichlids outside in vats aka ponds is that the proposed stocking plan is bogus.

“Cenote”
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“arroyos”
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As rift lake keepers do. Pretty well documented/ known/ understood that rift lake species in particular do well with stocking densities that CA and to a lesser extent SA fish, as a rule, simply will not tolerate. I refer you to my man’s trimac thread and hope you see it for what it is. They won’t randomly chase off other males and try to breed with passing females like your fish do- they will systematically eliminate one another in order of strength and size as they mature. Before they get big.
You can keep somemCA and SA fish pretty densely- but that’s keeping fish like amititlania with amphilophus, or Thoricthys with bieja etc. the fish need to be disparate in size and habitat preferences enough that they don’t view one another as competition and they need enough space to be out from under each other- and will coexist somewhat accordingly. Here are relationships that can work in smaller spaces but with less than 3-4’ to run away- the weaker fish get killed in order.

Rio niltepec trimacs
 
Thank you all for your replies ?.
Its summer time here so the temp in my pond stays 28° at day and 26° at night, In winters I will install a heater to maintain the temp.
As of now I only have 1 green terror (3.5inch) and 1 texas (4inches).

For how much time will they be able live in this pond and how much time will it take them to grow that big?

(I will be covering my pond with wooden planks on sides after that I will be able to fill the pond completely till 9')
 
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