overstocking?

[babarian16]

Hey yall, im a first timer to this site but im a member to other forums. Ive had a lot of debate about this subject, but first here is my current stock; 1 FM,1 Oscar,1 JD,1 Severum and 1 Con. My question is:

Is over stocking a 90 gal a good idea with SA/CA cichlids?
Now im not a stranger to keeing fish but i am reeeelatively new to cichlids (experience with africans). I know i cant have 10 jack dempseys in a 90 gal and what not but i've been told by numerous experienced fish keepers that even with my current stock i could still add a few more medium sized cichlids to disperse aggression (which there isn't an access of). What are your thoughts? Id like to know the pros and cons and im not going to be offended with positive critscism. If you think its a good idea what are some examples of fish. (i have been told perhaps a small school of tiger barbs which i think would be kind of cool)

thanks

 

[Jc1119]

I have similar stock to yours in a 90. Jd, firemouth, con, GT and a Midas. The Jd and Midas are moving into a new 300 next week. It's just not going to work in the long run. All my fish are 6" and under and although the aggression is moderate now, if I were to keep all the above in the 90 for another month, the firemouth and GT would probably end up dead.

Alot of folks overstock African tanks with good results since no fish can claim a territory for their own. With CE/SA cichlids it usually doesn't work do well because due to the adult size of these fish, fights can often lead to death. Aside from that, a full grown Oscar will put a big big strain on your filtration system by itself. I'd say it's a longshot, but each fish is different so you really never know. But even if every fish you currently have is mellow and they all get along, adult size of these fish will put a strain on your water quality in a 4' tank. Just my opinion, but my experience is it probably won't work.

Good luck and welcome to the site!

On a side note, I too had a school of tiger barbs in the 90 before I added the Midas and GT. My Jd disposed of all of them(11) in less than a month before he reached 5".