Opinions on new stock please, had a jumper.

[PDRed302]

Well after I recently finished up her new home, my 22" silver arowana decided to jump out of her tank last night. Don't know if she pushed one of the tops open or shot out of the area that my plumbing penetrates my hood. Either way she's gone now and it sucks.

Anyways, on to my question, tank and stock is as follows.

345 gallon: 100"x40"x20"

3x Oscars: one tiger, one albino, one lutino
1x Common Pleco
3x Spotted Silver Dollars
1x Rotkeil Severum
1x Turquoise Severum
1x Firemouth
1x BGK
1x Convict
1x Senegal Bichir
1x Nicaraguan Cichlid
1x Blue Acara (growing out now, not in tank yet)

I can't really decide if I want another arow or if I want to just add more cichlids.

Any opinions? If this was your tank, what would you add and why?

I want to make sure the tank has plenty of movement, which is why I loved having a big Arow but also believe adding the right group of cichlids to the mix will accomplish.

I really think of I go the cichlid route I would focus more on CA cichlids (maybe something like a large group of rainbow cichlids) vs SA and if I added an Arow again I'd have to go with a black this time.

Opinions please.

 

[PDRed302]

Lol, I don't even listen to my own guidelines.

Ended up buying a wild true Parrot Cichlid (Hoplarchus psittacus).

Still open to suggestions, definitely staying away from the Arow route. Although I will keep one in mind for my next upgrade (years away with sane stock).

 

[DMD123]

Cool choice! I have a true parrot growing out in my 210g.

I know they are dumb and are skittish but I really like my larger school of silver dollars. I have three red hooks and three spotted. Something about the larger school always catches the eye. I get more compliments on the silver dollars than anything else. Im sure that will change as some of my cichlids get bigger. So I would say increase your SD's to at least 5 or 6.

 

[PDRed302]

Cool choice! I have a true parrot growing out in my 210g.

I know they are dumb and are skittish but I really like my larger school of silver dollars. I have three red hooks and three spotted. Something about the larger school always catches the eye. I get more compliments on the silver dollars than anything else. Im sure that will change as some of my cichlids get bigger. So I would say increase your SD's to at least 5 or 6.

You hit the nail on the head with the extra sd's. I have been wanting to expand their shoal for a while now. Looking for some that aren't just normal bland silvers, I got lucky when I found my current spotted. Hopefully I'll find more spotted, hooks, bared or maybe even some stripped before too long.

 

[Rafini]

How about a pink tailed Chalceus? I have one in my 225 at around 7". they have large scales sort of like an Arro. they ocupy the top of the water and just make that area a bit more busy. Never had a problem with mine he is great. I had a similar set up to what you have now and just got bored of cichlids. I was fed up of having fish get killed or beaten up and not being able to put new stuff in because of the size or aggression. I do still however have a chocolate cichlid, and I recommend them highly.

 

[PDRed302]

Good call Rafini. The pink tailed Chalceus seems pretty sweet and actually and fits my SA/CA theme.

From what I've just scanned about them online, it seems I'm stuck with 1 or 6 plus. Do you believe that one would work with my existing stock?

Also, are they the jumpers that they are labeled to be?

Still open to all suggestions, thanks again guys and gals.

 

[PDRed302]

Well, here he is: Senior Estabon

He's in quarantine now but will be in the display tank asap.

I'm already a huge fan of this guy! I will probably focus on finding some nice SD's and one or 2 smaller (6' or below) fish to add to the mix.

Any more cichlid or oddball sa/ca recommendations? No hiders please.

 

[Rafini]

That parrot is awesome, my chocolate cichlid always reminds me of them and if I ever get the chance to own one of those guys I will definately go for it.

A chalceus would go great with your stock. they are not a demanding fish, they are not aggressive or territorial and they eat just about anything. I suppose they can jump but any fish can jump. I've never witnessed mine trying to jump. I think that most people with a tank will have a lid just incase. either way pink tailed chalceus is a awesome alternative for an arowana and because they get to 10" -12" max they are a perfectly handleable size.