New larger tank set up, new stocking ideas neefed

[Achilles1763]

Hello, well I have moved into my new house and I have just ordered my new 7ft X 2ft X 2ft aquarium.. Which is nearly 900 litres. Basically the stock from my old tank (which is currently holidaying at my lfs) is going back in. That's my 12 inch fahaka (don't worry she is a real sweetheart and doesn't kill other fish... Too often) and my juvenile 4 inch jaguar cichlid. Basically I need some ideas for additional tank mates. My lfs is great and can order in most things for me, the plan is to put juvenile fish in not adults so they grow up together.. And the fahaka remains top dog to reduce any threat to her, and hopefully reduce the instances of her shredding anything in self defence! As you may have guessed I like large predator and oddball fish so go nuts... Any ideas?

 

[THQ]

I wouldn't personally trust small juveniles of any fish with a 12" fahaka puffer unless you have a handy tank divider.

Since both your fish species have a reputation for aggression, I would recommend some other aggressive large cichlids that grow to 1-1.5'. Dovii and umbee are probably too aggressive and will bully everything else in the tank to death.

You have heaps of choices: red devil, midas, red terror (festae), flowerhorn, trimac, texas, etc.

Your 2' width limits big oddballs such as arowanas, stingrays, clown knives, etc (I would say 3' width is optimum).

I personally am not a fan of big catfish, but you could put a black shark in. Would be one of few catfish which would hold their own against big aggressive cichlids yet still fit comfortably in your tank.

 

[Achilles1763]

Thanks, it really helps a lot to have what I suspected confirmed, I basically wanted a Dovii or Arowana... But I knew I can't really have either . I can't go up to a 3ft wide tank in the current house sadly. I also need to be a little bit careful with my Fahaka, she is not agressive at all (having been raised with other fish from a fry) and I don't want her bullied. This may sound odd but she really is not a killer (as side from a few dither fish and one rainbow snakehead she REALLY didn't like), hence getting younger fish to grow up with her. The plan being she is always the biggest and most dominant (she is 14 months old and already easily 12 inches long).

I have always wanted a red terror, but that could creat a power issue between the terror and the jag... So I would need a third to balance it out I guess?

I agree I am not much one for catfish either and consider then purely a clean up crew for anything the puffer/cichlids don't eat. But I was thinking about an ornate birchir, my lfs have a 6 inch one in stock and it would seem compatable.

Does that sound reasonable and is that then the tank 'full' ?

 

[THQ]

I have no experience with bichirs as I can't get them in my country. Perhaps ask also in the bichir subforum?