Large Dither for 220

[duanes]

Since fire eels natural range is India and Sri Lanka to Viet Nam (and because I like my display tanks to be geographically correct) I would choose fish from those areas.
Some of the larger gouramis or barbs would be correct.
I believe a 220 is too small for peacock bass, but for a geographically correct cichid, a shoal of Etroplus suratensus (endemic to Sri Lanka and India) would work well. The are too large as adults for be considered food for the ells, and non-aggressive, so not a problem.

they get to be the size of dinner plates

 

[Achilles1763]

A couple of kelberi peacock bass could work? I am no expert but they get to only around 16 inches I think.

 

[kewpiefishypewpie]

Since fire eels natural range is India and Sri Lanka to Viet Nam (and because I like my display tanks to be geographically correct) I would choose fish from those areas.
Some of the larger gouramis or barbs would be correct.
I believe a 220 is too small for peacock bass, but for a geographically correct cichid, a shoal of Etroplus suratensus (endemic to Sri Lanka and India) would work well. The are too large as adults for be considered food for the ells, and non-aggressive, so not a problem.

they get to be the size of dinner plates

I've heard a lot of conflicting reports on whether these guys do okay in just freshwater or not. I've been of the understanding that they need some degree of a brackish environment to really thrive. One of the very finest looking cichlids in the world IMO

 

[duanes]

I kept mine in fresh water (general hardness 250 ppm, pH 7.5-8.00,) and they spawned a number of times. If I hadn't moved, I may have upped the salinity as they grew.

 

[Fish Tank Travis]

I appreciate the help guys. I'm still kind of leaning towards oscar(s). I really like the trap door kind of mouth look, such as what peacock bass and especially arowana have.

Sorry, I know I'm picky. I just want to get "that perfect fish". Lol. If there were a small enough peacock bass or arowana then I would have probably already gotten one.

 

[Achilles1763]

Oscars are awesome fish.. get 3 of different colourations a red, a tiger and either a albino or a wild gray and they will look amazing. Also with 3 they will keep their craziness to themselves and leave your eels alone.

 

[jwd]

Last I looked Jeff Rapps had some amazing oscars.

 

[kewpiefishypewpie]

Last I looked Jeff Rapps had some amazing oscars.

I was going to suggest the same, he's got some really nice looking wild caught Oscars right now. Not cheap though.

 

[Fish Tank Travis]

Ok, so I found a possible choice besides the oscar(s). Do any of you have experience with the Malawi Sand Diver?

 

[Galantspeedz]

Ok, so I found a possible choice besides the oscar(s). Do any of you have experience with the Malawi Sand Diver?

just get the oscar, you have already subconsciously decided on it...