Oscars, Rays, JD's, RT's? 125-220 gallons? Need advice.

[blackwolfXKAV]

I would like to get a tank that encorporates oscars, FW rays, Jack Dempsey, and red terrors, and possibly some other larger SA cichlids. I would like to stay within the ranges of 125-220 gallons, but i would like to make a scenario for each of the following tanks

125
150
180
200
210
220

I would like to set these tanks up so that the fish are set for life. (except for water changes of course )

pairs when possible, with emphasis on at least one pair of oscars, but one ray is fine

2 oscars
2 JD's
2 RT's
1 ray (which species?? )

something along those lines...


Thank you for your help!

Black wolf.

 

[cichlaguapote]

Even on the larger end a 220g standard isn't wide enough for ray(s) for life. You need something in the 30"+ wide for life.

Also if you're mixing digging cichlids with rays it's a crapshoot but def. go bare bottom so the cichlids won't be digging and hurting your ray.

And pairs are nice but a pair of RT's is going to be pretty territorial and there's a huge chance the male RT with pwn all the others.

 

[blackwolfXKAV]

so, excluding the ray, what are some good numbers for each, w/ the RT as a single?

Thanks.

also, will the RT's do better in a harem style grouping, or is it only groups?

thanks.

 

[cichlaguapote]

(these are all my opinion choices, there are a ton of options and opinions on what will work)

125g 1 RT or 2 oscars and 1 jd
150g 1 RT or 2 oscars and 2 jd(might be a stretch for 2 jd/2 oscars)
180g 2 RT or you could try a female rt and the others if the rt is passive, male rt and the others I think would be mass murder later. You could try bare bottom with oscars/jd's/ray knowing it will outgrow it.

200,210,220 all the same foot print as 180g I belive(72x24)


All in all I think it's a bad idea to want pairs of fish together. I assume this is for breeding and will probably create problems esp. with the ray in the mix.

JD's/oscars can be aggressive but not on the same level as RT so personally I don't like the idea of them together. Just my .02

 

[jadon]

The mixture sounds nice but if doing pairs do not use breeding pairs. I have a 125 with 2 oscars, 2 jd, 2 plecos, 1 reticulated (teacup) stingray, 2 convicts, 3 snails and 1 toadfish(stonefish). Rememner also that with owning a ray with all these larger fish you will have to do alot of regular water changes. the ray doesn't do so well in crappy water. I do approx. 35% every 2 days and 75% once a month. I do not own a green terror so i have no idea how it would do with the ray.YOu could look at my pics in the gallery if you like to see what is all mixed in there. By the way i plan on upgrading to a 2000 g tank that i wil build but i am first going to have to finish moving into my new house.

 

[blackwolfXKAV]

How many oscars could i keep in each tank w/ a pair of JD's and just one RT, no ray?



thanks.

 

[---XR---]

How many oscars could i keep in each tank w/ a pair of JD's and just one RT, no ray?



thanks.

for number of oscars-
125- 1
150-1
180-2
200-2
210-2
220-2

also imo, for the 125 and 150, no o's unless the rt is female, if male then i personally wouldn't do any unless the tank had the footprint of 6'x2'+ such as with the 180,200,210,220

 

[xEchOx]

How many oscars could i keep in each tank w/ a pair of JD's and just one RT, no ray?

thanks.

The oscars won't be the variable so much as the RT will. IMO, decide wether or not you want a Male RT, or a Female. If you want a male, don't do anything less than a 180 gallon tank, if you want tankmates to survive. If female, you could do: 125g= 1Frt, 1 pair JDs (not necessarily mated), and 1 oscar. 180g= 1Frt, 1 pair of JDs, 1 pair oscars.

also imo, for the 125 and 150, no o's unless the rt is female, if male then i personally wouldn't do any unless the tank had the footprint of 6'x2'+ such as with the 180,200,210,220

What he said.