First real CA tank, need help pairing down stock list!

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RyanM

RyanM

Plecostomus
MFK Member
Oct 13, 2016
250
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Canton, OH
Collecting equipment to setup a 125g at our new house we are moving into next month. I have kept some random, common CAs in the past, but never had a setup dedicated to them.

Here is my wishlist for the tank, need help determining how many species I can have and then how many of each I should start with.

Sajica's (already have 3x at 2-2.5")

Hypsophrys nicaraguensis (must have)
Thorichthys maculipinnis (start with 6-8?)
Rheoheros lentiginosus
Cribroheros robertsoni
Herichthys bartoni (too aggressive?)
 
Thorichthys maculipinnis go with a group of 8, I found if you have less then aggression can be a problem. Lents need to be in a group as well and do best in high flow or at least high oxygen.
I think I would leave out the herichthys to aggressive for the rest of the stock
 
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I agree with Dan.
I think a group of thorichthys and a group of lents would work well,just provide lots of oxygen your Lents will need it.
I wouldn't add any more cichlids just a group of swordtails.
A group of 8 thorichthys and 8 lents should work well with lots of rockwork and line of sight breaks.
 
Great info, thanks!

The Nics were a must have and I really would like to keep my Sajica's. With my three Sajica's and a group of 3-4 Nics (end up with a pair eventually), what else should/could I add?
 
You just moved right? And you're on a well? Have you tested the water yet?
 
Oh okay, my mistake I thought I read you were moving to a house with a well. I've been having some trouble with mine and wanted to give you a heads up.
 
I'd say if your going to be doing the Sajica's and Nics for sure, I would just add more of them (maybe 3 more sajica) and call it a day, the fish would probably be happier with larger groups of 2 types than with small groups of many types. You could probably do a single robertsoni as well if you wanted.
 
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Gourami Swami said:
I'd say if your going to be doing the Sajica's and Nics for sure, I would just add more of them (maybe 3 more sajica) and call it a day, the fish would probably be happier with larger groups of 2 types than with small groups of many types. You could probably do a single robertsoni as well if you wanted.
Click to expand...

Is there another larger, fairly peaceful species I could add as a single (like a Pearsei but a little smaller)?
 
Large, fairly peaceful species are few and far between in the CA cichlid world. Robertsoni is a good choice. Vieja Regan are usually pretty peaceful but can get supposedly up to 14" ( a bit large for your tank with that many other inhabitants). A female regani would probably be okay though.
 
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