Some Guidlines on maintaining a healthy tank.. (overstocking)

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R

RonnieRon1

Feeder Fish
MFK Member
Jan 20, 2011
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Gahanna, Ohio
I know there will probably be several different answers to this question but im willing to look at them all. if you have lets say a 125 gallon tank 6ft and you want to keep large cichlids how many and what types can you fit in comfortably without messing up the quality of life, taking into consideration that i do 25 - 30 percent water changes at least twice a week and have good filtration. this is very important to me as i want to make sure that im not stressing out the fish or keeping them in an invironment that is not good. the reason i ask this question is i am fond of several types of fish and having a 125 is not a huge tank by any stretch of the imagination, i just want to make sure i make the right decision when keeping this wonderful fish.

thanks,

R-R
 
Theres way too many variables to give anytype of exact numbers. #1 being the aggression level of the cichlids you choose. You could keep more Geophagus than you could Festae not just because of size but because of outward aggression. Size will play into it too, @18" wide it would be ideal for fish that stay around or under 12" esp. if your gonna "overstock." Probably best to make a list of the cichlids you really want to keep then have ppl crossrefernce them for compatability and size.

Healthy tank My 2 cents - You can't filter too much water, max it out. Increase dissolved oxygen, water circulation, and surface aggitation. Perform weekly large water changes and gravel vac religiously. Feed a varity of quality foods. Perform regular water tests esp. when introducing more fish. Aviod large breeding pairs of cichlids if your keeping several different species in a community. Aviod tankbuster cichlids, those that are hyperly aggressive and stress the rest of the community. If you go with a breeding pair of aggressive cichlids or tankbusters choose another type of fish other than cichlids to be your community.
 
Otherone;4875264; said:
Theres way too many variables to give anytype of exact numbers. #1 being the aggression level of the cichlids you choose. You could keep more Geophagus than you could Festae not just because of size but because of outward aggression. Size will play into it too, @18" wide it would be ideal for fish that stay around or under 12" esp. if your gonna "overstock." Probably best to make a list of the cichlids you really want to keep then have ppl crossrefernce them for compatability and size.

Healthy tank My 2 cents - You can't filter too much water, max it out. Increase dissolved oxygen, water circulation, and surface aggitation. Perform weekly large water changes and gravel vac religiously. Feed a varity of quality foods. Perform regular water tests esp. when introducing more fish. Aviod large breeding pairs of cichlids if your keeping several different species in a community. Aviod tankbuster cichlids, those that are hyperly aggressive and stress the rest of the community. If you go with a breeding pair of aggressive cichlids or tankbusters choose another type of fish other than cichlids to be your community.
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Thanks for your insight and help,

the list of cichlids i have are (except the flowerhorn that i would like to add) is this to much aggression for such a small tank?

jaguar
livingstonii
jack dempsey
oscar
Green Terror
 
I think your tank could work. But if your jag decides to rule (some are tank busters) then it'll be tougher. I agree with otherone, there are way to many variables. But it sounds like you are on the right track. A flowerhorn??? This could also pose a problem as most of them are pretty aggresive. But once again its possible. Something I like to do is this look at each type of cichlid there are selecting one fish from each family and then ruling out a few. Like one parachromis, one vieja, one nandopsis etc. This way conspecific aggression is already not a factor.

I personally am noy of a fan of mixing centrals woth southerns but many do it successfully. I am also not a fan of flowerhorn. These are only my prefrences and you of course are free to do as you please.

My 125 is currently stocked with a jag, blackbelt, fenestrataus, nic, freddy, pair of firemouths, and a suncat. It was working well for a few months but recently my fenestrataus and black belt are trying to pair up so I will have to make some changes soon. I also want to get my freddy out of there because there's a jag as well and they are both parachromis.
 
Thanks Fish_n_va, i appreciate the reply, i am very partial to my jaguar and he/she (dont know) is pretty aggressive and rules the tank. but im willing to see what happens and if its not working i wont force the issue, it just give me a little hope to know that it could possibly work out,

thanks!

R-R
 
Absolutly, I try to help when I can. We are all learning from eachother here.
 
Go waaay overkill on the filtration and up your wc schedule. When I had all my fish in my 120 maintanance was a pain. 5 12"+ cichla, 10 dats, almost 20 bichirs. I had 2 penguin 350's and an fx5 on my tank. Along w/ a rena 600 pump for o2. And I was doing DAILY 50-60% wc's before I got my new tank. A drip auto changer would make life much easier for wc's.

But id say just keep up on your wc's. If your gonna do 2 a week just up it to 50% instead of 30% and go from there.
 
gangster;4875596; said:
Go waaay overkill on the filtration and up your wc schedule. When I had all my fish in my 120 maintanance was a pain. 5 12"+ cichla, 10 dats, almost 20 bichirs. I had 2 penguin 350's and an fx5 on my tank. Along w/ a rena 600 pump for o2. And I was doing DAILY 50-60% wc's before I got my new tank. A drip auto changer would make life much easier for wc's.

But id say just keep up on your wc's. If your gonna do 2 a week just up it to 50% instead of 30% and go from there.
Click to expand...

i was thinking about upping the wc's and also another filter is in the works to go along with my fx-5 so this sounds good,

Thanks,

R-R
 
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