SA Tank; what else for suitable tank mates?

[Vyyrus]

Okay so in my current 250 gallon tank I have the following:

4 - Hoplarchus Psittacus (one breeding pair that keeps to themselves even while protecting their fry)
4 - Crenicichla Elegans
3 - Satanoperca Mapiritensis

I have a 100g sump that runs around 80 gallons nominally so around 330 gallons of total water capacity.

I'm trying to decide what else I should introduce (if anything) into this setup.

Thoughts to consider: the paired Hoplarchus Psittacus are considerably less aggressive since adding the Satanoperca and Crenicichla to the mix; which has substantially helped the other two Hoplarchus Psittacus relax and be much less stressed (keep in mind all of these fish are WC).

The tank is 6' long, 2.5" wide and 2.5" high (custom built the tank myself).

The two paired Hoplarchus Psittacus have been raising their first second spawn of fry (first one was in a 125g and I have no idea what happened to the fry). The crenicichla and Satanoperca have had zero interest in the fry (exception of when the occasional fry wanders off 2' or more away from its parents then it's definitely a goner).

Last thing of importance is that I want to stick with SA fish. Maybe some catfish? I have no idea... I have zero need of dithers as the Crenicichla are very very brave fish in my experience. When first introduced the male Crenicichla (6") faced off with my Male H.Psittacus (13") and nothing happened... They both just slowly drifted away from each other after their 30 second encounter of mouth yawning and fin flaring.

I'm quite happy with the tank as it is (hence leaving the H.Psittacus to raise their young on their own vs putting the fry in their own tank). However I'm juggling the idea of a few more fish!

So hard not to get completely obsessed with this hobby...


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[shenzhenluohan]

Why not go with a colorful plec like a sunshine or a magnum?

 

[Mythic Figment]

Okay so in my current 250 gallon tank I have the following:

4 - Hoplarchus Psittacus (one breeding pair that keeps to themselves even while protecting their fry)
4 - Crenicichla Elegans
3 - Satanoperca Mapiritensis

I have a 100g sump that runs around 80 gallons nominally so around 330 gallons of total water capacity.

I'm trying to decide what else I should introduce (if anything) into this setup.

Thoughts to consider: the paired Hoplarchus Psittacus are considerably less aggressive since adding the Satanoperca and Crenicichla to the mix; which has substantially helped the other two Hoplarchus Psittacus relax and be much less stressed (keep in mind all of these fish are WC).

The tank is 6' long, 2.5" wide and 2.5" high (custom built the tank myself).

The two paired Hoplarchus Psittacus have been raising their first second spawn of fry (first one was in a 125g and I have no idea what happened to the fry). The crenicichla and Satanoperca have had zero interest in the fry (exception of when the occasional fry wanders off 2' or more away from its parents then it's definitely a goner).

Last thing of importance is that I want to stick with SA fish. Maybe some catfish? I have no idea... I have zero need of dithers as the Crenicichla are very very brave fish in my experience. When first introduced the male Crenicichla (6") faced off with my Male H.Psittacus (13") and nothing happened... They both just slowly drifted away from each other after their 30 second encounter of mouth yawning and fin flaring.

I'm quite happy with the tank as it is (hence leaving the H.Psittacus to raise their young on their own vs putting the fry in their own tank). However I'm juggling the idea of a few more fish!

So hard not to get completely obsessed with this hobby...


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First off, congrats! Not only are the Hoplarchus Psittacus rare in the hobby, but getting a pair is even rarer. Very lucky (and/or skilled).

Any chance we can get pics?

You are pretty well stocking IMO for fish. Doesn't sound like you need dithers at all, and even if dithers were an option, I can't think of anything that would compliment those colorful fish.

You might consider a pleco or catfish, but plecos tend to be armored fry vacuums and catfish in the large size scale have always been nasty IME.

I often see Hoplarchus Psittacus kept with severum. Only downside is that the sevs tend to look very similar in body shape and "design", so a non-hobbyist visitor will just think they are two of the same fish, but different colors. LOL

And if you start looking for a place to rehome some fry to, I would absolutely love to take some off your hands.

Congrats on the rare stock list and I hope it continues to thrive for you.


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