Jardini Tankmates

[MonsterFishGuy13]

I’ve recently acquired a 6ft tank and I am looking to get a Jardini for the tank, however I would also like to keep other fish in the tank for example Oscars, Jaguar Cichlid etc
I was thinking something like
1x Jardini
2x Oscars
1x Jaguar Cichlid
And maybe some clown loaches
Could a tank setup like this potentially work if I get all the fish at a small size and they grow up with each other ?

 

[mattybecks]

I just picked up a Jardini yesterday for my 180gal. He (don't know if a he or she) is about 5.5 inches.
He will be growing out with 15 silver dollars and 7 geo red head Tapajos. I will monitor how they do together overtime. He seemed delighted to go from a separated 30gal tank to a 180gal.
I have never kept them before, and this was an impulse buy. Walking past one of the lfs here and just stopped to browse inside. Got him for 70 USD I think it works out too. Not a bad price for my area. In my limited knowledge I understand if they grow up with those tank mates they might be fine. But I also hear this depends on the temperament of the fish too.

You would need some serious filtration in your proposed tank when all those guys are full grown.

 

[krull]

All Depends on the Personality of the Jardini...

 

[MonsterFishGuy13]

How would a Midas Cichlid do in my tank if I got those fish, because I’ve read that they can be with other fish if raised together but I’ve also been told that they are mean fish

 

[Backfromthedead]

A midas would be no better of a tank mate. If i were you, I'd either go with a group of oscars or a single large central american cichlid like a jag or midas.

What is the width and height of your tank? That makes a big difference. No matter what though big aggressive cichlids like jags and midas generally do not mix well with other fish. Very territorial and most keepers here will agree they need a single species "wet pet" type of setup.

 

[MonsterFishGuy13]

A midas would be no better of a tank mate. If i were you, I'd either go with a group of oscars or a single large central american cichlid like a jag or midas.

What is the width and height of your tank? That makes a big difference. No matter what though big aggressive cichlids like jags and midas generally do not mix well with other fish. Very territorial and most keepers here will agree they need a single species "wet pet" type of setup.

The tank is a 6x2x2 and yep your right it was just a thought really so I think I’d be best off sticking to just a Jardini and a group of Oscars and clown loaches then or would this not work out either?

 

[Backfromthedead]

The tank is a 6x2x2 and yep your right it was just a thought really so I think I’d be best off sticking to just a Jardini and a group of Oscars and clown loaches then or would this not work out either?

I will admit ive never kept a jardini, but can tell you that a 6x2 is the minimum recommended tank size ive seen from users on this site, simply because they can easily reach 24"+ at maturity. I have also read that they can be quite aggressive once they put on some size. A lot of the stories i read say they abide many tankmates until they reach 10-12", then will wipe out the rest out of the tank out of the blue.

I would not recommend clown loaches with oscars. Clown loaches grow painfully slow and enjoy warm water over 80 F. Oscars like it in the 70s and can reach 8" at 6 months of age, at which point they will begin eating all manners of smaller fish.

If i were you, i would go with 2-3 oscars and a big lurker bottom feeder like a spiny pleco (l024, l025, l114 for examples). When the oscars get to maturity they will fill the tank, and still require a diligent maintenance routine.

 

[MonsterFishGuy13]

I will admit ive never kept a jardini, but can tell you that a 6x2 is the minimum recommended tank size ive seen from users on this site, simply because they can easily reach 24"+ at maturity. I have also read that they can be quite aggressive once they put on some size. A lot of the stories i read say they abide many tankmates until they reach 10-12", then will wipe out the rest out of the tank out of the blue.

I would not recommend clown loaches with oscars. Clown loaches grow painfully slow and enjoy warm water over 80 F. Oscars like it in the 70s and can reach 8" at 6 months of age, at which point they will begin eating all manners of smaller fish.

If i were you, i would go with 2-3 oscars and a big lurker bottom feeder like a spiny pleco (l024, l025, l114 for examples). When the oscars get to maturity they will fill the tank, and still require a diligent maintenance routine.

Ah right ok then I’ll leave the clown loaches. Hmm the Jardini does seem to be a bit of a risk but I think I’ll try it out with around 3-4 Oscars. Are there any schooling fish that could work with these tankmates and in this size tank as I was hoping the clown loaches could have been a potential tankmate

 

[Backfromthedead]

Big clown loaches could work indeed. But if you buy them small (under 4") they will most likely become prey for hungry, growing oscars.

As for good schooling fish, i will pass the mic to Jexnell or Go_redfish or S Steve_C for more oscar related advice.

I will only reiterate that with 3-4 oscars+1 jardini your tank will be considered heavily stocked, and require significant water changes and filter maintenance routinely. Good luck with your tank!

 

[MonsterFishGuy13]

Big clown loaches could work indeed. But if you buy them small (under 4") they will most likely become prey for hungry, growing oscars.

As for good schooling fish, i will pass the mic to Jexnell or Go_redfish or S Steve_C for more oscar related advice.

I will only reiterate that with 3-4 oscars+1 jardini your tank will be considered heavily stocked, and require significant water changes and filter maintenance routinely. Good luck with your tank!

Thank you mate and yes I was already planning to do a significant amount of water changes as we all know that Oscars cause ALOT of mess haha