New 180 Thoughts

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mrrobxc

mrrobxc

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MFK Member
Nov 29, 2012
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Hello Everyone,

Haven't been on here in awhile and my old profile wont work so heres a new sn.

I'm building out a new set up and I need some advice. Let's start with the stats.

180 Gallon: 6X2X2
Substrate: PFS: 200 lbs
Hard Scape: Mazanita Branches and Round River Stones of varying sizes.
Filtration: I'm planning on an Eshopps 200 Wet Dry System with a Mag Drive 9.5 (950 GPH) pump
Additional Water Movement: Internal Pump rated at 800 GPH (Sun Sun INternal Pump)
Heating: 300 watt Ebo Jager and a 200 watt Ebo Jager in the Sump
Lighting: 4X54 watt Aquaticlife T5HO suspended over tank to spread light over full tank.

I'm going for that whole Central American Laguna/Rio Biotope look. Now this is where I need some help.

I saw some Crenicichla Compressiceps at ThatFishPlace last weekend and I just HAD to pick some up so I got six along with some Regani's I put in my planted 150. I know that these are not CA but I figured they would mix ok as long as I don't stock the 180 with larger piscovores. So the million dollar question is...What should i Stock this bad boy with?

I'm considering medium sized cichlids and keeping a community of 3 or 4 species...BUT, I REALLY LOVE THE LOOK OF Vieja/Paraneetroplus. I aslo LOVE nic's.

Please advise. Very much in need of your opinions and what some of you are already doing in your larger tanks.
 
I did the vieja community and honestly it was my least favorite tank. Lots of color but no real personality. They are way better kept solo. It had a very African like vibe to the tank. Lots of movement and color but not really interactive. I have several on their own now and am much happier with it. I would just do a diverse tank with no closely related fish in it. Maybe two medium sized pairs.


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Thank you for the feedback.

What would I be able to keep with Loisellei in a tank this size? Is it big enough to hold them with a Vieja species and perhaps the Chetumalensis as a dither.

It seems the Loisellei's are the most placid of the parachromis and also the smallest.

If I were to get a group of Youngsters of Loisellei's, a group of youngsters of a Vieja Species (Bifas Candelaria), and a group of Chetumalensis...grow them out, thin out the larger species...would that work?

Lastly, whats the difference between the "Panama" variety and the standard loisellei?

Thanks
 
It's possible. Combos like this never come with a guarantee so of that is what will make you happy, try. Myself I would go for two species that max at 8-10 as I like understocked tanks with a lot of room. But a lot of people push the envelope way farther than you would be and everything turns out ok. Just have a backup plan if things go south and enjoy.


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Thank you Trace. I just went to ThatPetPlace today and picked up 6 baby Loisellei's, 6 Thorichthys Aureus Blue Flash, and 3 Sajicas.

They will go into my 90 until my 180 is cycled. I'm hoping in a tank large enough, the Loisellei's will relax a bit and let the smaller cichlids act like dithers and let them be.

I will more than likely have to thin out the Loiselleis as they grow. Is there another larger cichlid I can mix with this group that will add color? I really wanted to pick up a Synspilum that was already coloring up but I didn't want to see it grow and KILL everything. Perhaps I'm over-reacting.

Please share your thoughts on my purchase. Thanks.
 
Once I get my 180, I'll start taking some pics to post.

I have 6 Crenicichla Compressiceps too that I'll have to get rid of so let me know if you're interested.

Please share anymore feedback on compatibality since there isnt much online about Loisellei's with smaller fish.
 
The loiselli should work,trying it out,you will have room in the other tanks for back up plan.if If I were you,try to observe as they grow.then pick either all M or F.then later you won't need to worry about cross breeding/aggression

from cel
 
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