New 300 gallon stocking ideas

  • We are currently upgrading MFK. thanks! -neo
If you have 2 of any of the cichlids, you could end up with a breeding pair and they may end up beating up on your other fish. Unless you are looking to breed, I would avoid getting pairs.

I typically like building my tank around a showpiece fish, then stocking dithers, top dwellers and bottom dwellers.

Here's how I would stock a 300G:

(1) One of the less aggressive cichlids as the showpiece
(5) Apollo Sharks- Luciosoma spilopleura (surface dwellers)
(8) Filament Barbs- Dawkinsia filamentosa (Dithers that swim everywhere)
(8) Clown Loaches- Chromobotia macracanthus (Bottom dweller)

If you are buying all of these fish young, get the cichlid last so that the others have time to put on some size and become comfortable in the tank. It's always best to add the most aggressive specimen last.

Everyone has their own opinions, but I'm not a fan of cichlid only tanks. I don't really enjoy watching fish beat up on one another and posture back and forth trying to claim the limited space in the tank. I really don't like it when the bullying gets to the point of fishes fins be shredded. By going with one cichlid, he will be the boss of the tank. The others will add lots of color and nice relaxing movement....much more pleasing to watch than the bravado of a cichlid only tank.
 
Rules are not always set in stone. If you want to add a jag/gt to your Vieja stock, then grow out the Viejas a bit first, then later on add a much smaller jag/gt and see what happens. It may be a rule breaker and exist fine with the Viejas. Just be ready to pull it if doesn't work out. I've seen vids of full grown arowanas housed with discus
 
Yeah true but if it doubtful I wouldn't try it. Do you think a pair of synspila and fenestratus with a single zonatus would likely workout? Or should I do three pairs or cut out the zonatus, ect


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Three pairs might not work... two pairs might not work. Anytime you have pairs in a tank all of the other tank mates are subject to abuse from the pair... the more pairs the greater chance of conflict. Not saying it will not work, but I'd go with single fish.... or a main pair. You want your fish to look their best, no?? Three pairs, to me, equals many torn fins and missing scales. Again, cichlids are cichlids are each fish def has its own personality. Good luck!!
 
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