Something new... stocking opinion! Lol

[biguebs]

Ok, have a cycled 125 gal that is now without fish. I’ve kept all kinds of cichlids and other monsters, I have proper filtration and general set up. Water parameters are perfect. So, let’s not talk about whether I have that and figure out what I’m putting in there. Initial thoughts:

Oscar
GT - have never kept, always wanted one
Small group of clown loaches

Feel like I need something else. Maybe a couple firemouths or a JD? Maybe a small cat? Looking for feedback. Want to get them all in at once as “little guys”.

 

[Gourami Swami]

I wouldn't go for firemouths or JD personally, Oscar and GT are south American and the others are CA. I'd keep it all SA.
I might add a severum, so there are not just 2 cichlid in the tank. I find when there are only two, the dominant one bullies the subdominant one relentlessly, because there is nobody else to distract.

 

[biguebs]

I wouldn't go for firemouths or JD personally, Oscar and GT are south American and the others are CA. I'd keep it all SA.
I might add a severum, so there are not just 2 cichlid in the tank. I find when there are only two, the dominant one bullies the subdominant one relentlessly, because there is nobody else to distract.

Probably a good call, I didn’t think about them being SA. Severum could work, really just looking for enough color and motion so I don’t do something dumb and overstock down the road. I definitely don’t want just two cichlids in there, agree there as well

 

[Deadliestviper7]

Ok so how about
1 firemouth
Pair of millennium red rainbows
2 red fire koi angelfish
5 African knifefish
1 pearl gourami
Redtail hemiodus
Bunch of colorful Moscow guppies

 

[Jexnell]

There are thousands of ways to go, what do you want? A couple big fish, or a lot of fish?

 

[Bassjedi]

Ok, have a cycled 125 gal that is now without fish. I’ve kept all kinds of cichlids and other monsters, I have proper filtration and general set up. Water parameters are perfect. So, let’s not talk about whether I have that and figure out what I’m putting in there. Initial thoughts:

Oscar
GT - have never kept, always wanted one
Small group of clown loaches

Feel like I need something else. Maybe a couple firemouths or a JD? Maybe a small cat? Looking for feedback. Want to get them all in at once as “little guys”.

Maybe some sort of Pike Cichlid?

 

[Jexnell]

Going off what you listed. The Oscar GT combo could work. I had one with mine for a bit. Had to rehome her due to being a female and getting pissy ever few weeks when her next batch of eggs came. I would suggest getting male's so this is a non issue.
The clown loaches, while not ever owning them, I here they are slow growers. The cichlids could out grow them and end up as snacks. Wait till they are bigger, the cichlids then get big loaches. Like others said the JD and Firemouth are central. So shouldn't be mixed with South, due to different aggression levels.

 

[tlindsey]

You stated you always wanted a GT. GT with large group of Tetra would look really nice. You could also add Bristlenose Pleco or Raphael Catfish.

 

[NW Cichlid Keith]

Do severum, as suggested - and add a featherfin squeaker cat and curvier bicher - they won’t be bothered and will bother nobody

 

[biguebs]

There are thousands of ways to go, what do you want? A couple big fish, or a lot of fish?

Tend to like bigger fish with color or just cool in general. I’ve had all kinds of combos... Oscar, peacock bass, JD, gar, Texas, and a few more. Had to rehome when I moved, but moved again and tanks are back out of storage lol.

I know I’m getting an Oscar, they are dime a dozen but one of my favorites and the fish that got me into the hobby. Will be a GT as well because I’ve always been curious about them. Real question here is what can go with those two that will give me enough fish to avoid a square off.