how do you decide what to stock?
- Thread starter adamsfishes
- Start date
Haha ... Bichirs are not really my thing but I like the passion.
I already figured out 1 and 2. I really wanted a 180, but the 125 is "good enough", and I can get it into my basement.
Hardest decision is CA vs SA ... with SA I could have more variety, but damn I love Thorichthys and Cryptoheros...
With SA I would have a big group of something as the centerpiece, maybe Biotodomas or Bolivian Rams. I'd also have some Blue Acaras and probably a pair or two of Apistos. Maybe a dwarf pike or two. Laetacara. Would love to throw a GT into the mix, but that might be a bad idea.
For me its all about providing enough space, and the right natural conditions for cichlids or whatever fish I have.
I usually figure I need 10 gallons of tank, for every 1" of adult fish. For me this might mean 3 or 4 ten inch cichlids in a 100 gal tank, or 2 or 3 seven and one half inch fish in a 75 gal.
I never try to keep more than one species of any genus of cichlid in the same tank.
ie, I might a have 1 species of Cryptoheros with 1 species of Astatheros.
But try to avoid 2 species of Astatheros or whatever, in the same tank.
And am also very conscious of geography (especially where temp is concerned).
a example would be never keeping cool water Uruguayan cichlids such as Gymnogeophagus, with warm water Panamanian's such as Astatherines.
I usually figure I need 10 gallons of tank, for every 1" of adult fish. For me this might mean 3 or 4 ten inch cichlids in a 100 gal tank, or 2 or 3 seven and one half inch fish in a 75 gal.
I never try to keep more than one species of any genus of cichlid in the same tank.
ie, I might a have 1 species of Cryptoheros with 1 species of Astatheros.
But try to avoid 2 species of Astatheros or whatever, in the same tank.
And am also very conscious of geography (especially where temp is concerned).
a example would be never keeping cool water Uruguayan cichlids such as Gymnogeophagus, with warm water Panamanian's such as Astatherines.
It does help to prevent cross breeding, which I deplore.
But I also find that in nature, (except for Thorichthys and a scant few others) one hardly ever finds 2 of one genus sharing the same place. I believe this has to do with competition, when a species such as Parachromis friedrichsthalii thrives in a certain area,it means it is uniquely fitted to that area, and has driven any other close competition for similar resources out. It may be that it has evolved for the topography, temp, prey, and predators, and in nature it is always survival of the fittest, unless man gets in the way.
You may say, what has an aquarium to do with nature, none of these things need to apply, but my opinion is, all the survival skills and competition problems are magnified by the lack of area provided in even the largest aquariums. So going against nature actually compounds problems such as aggression.
But I also find that in nature, (except for Thorichthys and a scant few others) one hardly ever finds 2 of one genus sharing the same place. I believe this has to do with competition, when a species such as Parachromis friedrichsthalii thrives in a certain area,it means it is uniquely fitted to that area, and has driven any other close competition for similar resources out. It may be that it has evolved for the topography, temp, prey, and predators, and in nature it is always survival of the fittest, unless man gets in the way.
You may say, what has an aquarium to do with nature, none of these things need to apply, but my opinion is, all the survival skills and competition problems are magnified by the lack of area provided in even the largest aquariums. So going against nature actually compounds problems such as aggression.
I tend to take mad obsessions with types of fish, then change stock multiple times; the only ones I ever truly stuck with, were angelfish, though I'm now thoroughly kept busy with the planted side of aquariums, as it is constant, tweaking, trimming and technical stuff; so no chance to get bored.
I would say though, work back the way from nitrates, fish size etc; and not the opposite, e.g I like Oscars, I will "make" an Oscar work.
I've learned that lesson the hard way. You have your aquarium, so set yourself some fish guidelines, then that will help you narrow it down significantly
I would say though, work back the way from nitrates, fish size etc; and not the opposite, e.g I like Oscars, I will "make" an Oscar work.
I've learned that lesson the hard way. You have your aquarium, so set yourself some fish guidelines, then that will help you narrow it down significantly
Thanks for the comments. This forum is a great resource.
Here are my overall project guidelines so far:
Here are my overall project guidelines so far:
- A reasonable (but not strict) approximation of a SA or CA biotope.
- A sand substrate with an aesthetically pleasing arrangement of wood, rocks and plants.
- Terrestrial and floating plants to aid nitrate absorption.
- Programmable lighting system.
- Fish stock based around one large group of a centerpiece fish and 2-3 types of complementary fish.
- Large wet/dry filtration system.
- Overall system will have low net nitrate production without needing massive regular water changes.
- Target nitrate level is <5 with 50% water change every two weeks.
- Separate hospital tank in cabinet.
- System will not be excessively noisy.
if you're only going to be doing 50% changes every two weeks then you're going to have to stock really lightly to keep nitrates that low.
I agree with ehh about the water changes, my target nitrate max is also 5ppm, and to achieve it, I had to do a 30% water change every other day, and use heavily planted refugiums in addition.
I would also like to clarify what I said earlier about combining those of a single genus.
Because my focus is Central American cichlids, that was what I was referring to.
In larger bodies of water and more diverse habitats, such as the Amazon region of S America and the rift lakes of Africa, my genus restriction does not apply to those, Middle America is tiny in comparison.
I would also like to clarify what I said earlier about combining those of a single genus.
Because my focus is Central American cichlids, that was what I was referring to.
In larger bodies of water and more diverse habitats, such as the Amazon region of S America and the rift lakes of Africa, my genus restriction does not apply to those, Middle America is tiny in comparison.
Nitrate management is something I am emphasizing. I have a plan. I'll have to wait and see what my nitrate levels look like... but yeah I'll adjust as necessary to keep it low.
I understand that minimal maintenance is a necessity for my long term success in the hobby. If I had to do water changes every other day, I'd burn out. Every other week is sustainable for me.
I understand that minimal maintenance is a necessity for my long term success in the hobby. If I had to do water changes every other day, I'd burn out. Every other week is sustainable for me.
