Ideas for 125 gal

[biguebs]

I made the switch to single cichlid setups several months ago after tiring of the “did my fish kill each other last night” thing (wrong mix of fish). Have 3 125s- one has a male jag, one a male midas, and the other has an Oscar/blue phantom pleco/sunshine pleco.

I don’t want to change a thing with jag and Midas. They won’t tolerate any others I’m sure and I don’t feel the need to do so. However I’m getting the itch to add something to the Oscar 125... he is about 8-9” at this point. Seems to be on the lower side of the Oscar aggression spectrum overall. Doesn’t even nip at or acknowledge the plecos.

Considering maybe a small group (3) of firemouths? Rainbow cichlids have also caught my eye. I haven’t kept either before. I don’t want to do a single other fish and I don’t want to crowd it up in there or bring in any fish that will just cause problems. Anyone got thoughts or other suggestions? Just looking for a little more movement.

A few pics. Minimal decor currently, but obviously will change it up and add hides / breaks.

 

[Deadeye]

What about a small group of silver dollars? I know two Plecos and an Oscar are a lot of strain on any tanks bioload, so I feel like more cichlids may push or too far. That said something life a fm or rainbow should be good because they won’t mess with the Oscar.

 

[LBDave]

I have a jurupari in with my oscar pair. I tried 2 jurus but one picked on the other. I also have SD's. They are great.
Pleco's are good also.

 

[biguebs]

Yes I’ve seen SD’s as a common pairing with oscars... looking for a bit more color I think.

 

[Deadeye]

What about red hooks or wide bars, a bit more colorful. Other options are tiger barbs, larger tetras, giant danios, or rainbow fish. A lot of those could be on the menu for a large Oscar though.
One of the geophagus species could work as well.

 

[biguebs]

What about red hooks or wide bars, a bit more colorful. Other options are tiger barbs, larger tetras, giant danios, or rainbow fish. A lot of those could be on the menu for a large Oscar though.
One of the geophagus species could work as well.

Red hooks could be a contender... barbs and tetras I thought about but I just don’t know if I can get them already big enough to not be on the menu.

 

[biguebs]

What if I did 3 FM and a rainbow cichlid? That pushing my luck? I don’t want to overstock but I don’t want them squaring off either lol

 

[Deadeye]

Rainbows are much mellower, i would recommend that one being grouped for security. If you are really good with water changes then it should be fine for bioload.

 

[biguebs]

I need to read up on rainbows... I was under the impression that FM do better in groups generally

 

[biguebs]

Water change wise I’m doing a weekly 50% with the python vac.