Stocking ideas for 35 gallon tank

[duanes]

I have seen many 12" JDs, and believe that most JDs in aquariums don't reach potential because they are held in too small tanks, where because the tanks are too small, water quality suffers compromising growth. I also believe these cichlids need enough room to get proper exercise to retain health, in tanks where they can simply turn around, and swim a few body lengths, does not offer the amount needed for robust health
In nature, in the Cenotes where I have seen the largest individuals, water welling up from below puts them in constant water change, constant current, and nitrates barely ever exceed 1ppm.
I also believe in crowded community tanks, those most aquarists try to maintain, growth inhibiting hormones remain because of too few water changes.
In nature when JDs are not the dominant cichlid, they suffer the presence of other cichlids.
In the two videos below, you can see in the first Cenote, of maybe only 10,000 gallons the uropthalmus dominate, and the small population of JDs are torn up, yet still because of constant upwelling of high water quality, they are large, 10-12".
027 zps4b102ffd
But below in a larger Cenote (millions of gallons) where JDs are the dominant cichlid, their population is robust, and much healthier.
Eden2

 

[jwitty]

A blood parrot would work well, as would a jack dempsey. Could go with a dwarf pike or a green spotted/figure 8 puffer (but those are brackish)


Edit: Before people claim this tank is too small for those fish, these fish hit 8 inches at most, and a 31"x18"x18" tank is large enough, the tanks width is over twice the fish's length so it can turn around fine and the tanks length is nearly 4 times the length of the fish's length, keep up on the filtration and the fish will be fine. Note if the dimensions are correct then this is actually a 43 gallon tank

Just because the tank is big enough to fit a fish and filter waste from the fish, doesn’t necessarily mean it’ll be happy or healthy in that small tank. In that small tank, something like a bp would really only be able to go in circles.

 

[TheReefer]

Just because the tank is big enough to fit a fish and filter waste from the fish, doesn’t necessarily mean it’ll be happy or healthy in that small tank. In that small tank, something like a bp would really only be able to go in circles.

Look at how much larger the tank is compared to the fish, would you complain that someone has a 12 inch fish in a 120 wide (4'x2'x2'), or that someone has a 24" in fish in a 8'x4'x4' tank? The fish has plenty of room to turn around and move.

 

[AnthonyFish20]

I would get a fh but you would have to upgrade the tank in the future because they are really messy.

 

[TheReefer]

I would get a fh but you would have to upgrade the tank in the future because they are really messy.

Well if we are talking about ones you would have to upgrade I'd say an oscar or red devil but they can hit 16"

 

[Fishnerd360]

My regani dwarf pike cichlid has nice colors and a personality. Maybe you could get a pair of them.

 

[TheReefer]

My regani dwarf pike cichlid has nice colors and a personality. Maybe you could get a pair of them.

just one of them, a pair might get a bit big. Or some of the slightly larger 6-8 inch pike cichlids

 

[Fishnerd360]

just one of them, a pair might get a bit big. Or some of the slightly larger 6-8 inch pike cichlids

These guys are small, mine is an adult and she is still around 3 inches.

 

[TheReefer]

These guys are small, mine is an adult and she is still around 3 inches.

eh, you might be able to get away with it

 

[Backfromthedead]

Look at how much larger the tank is compared to the fish, would you complain that someone has a 12 inch fish in a 120 wide (4'x2'x2'), or that someone has a 24" in fish in a 8'x4'x4' tank? The fish has plenty of room to turn around and move.

The 31x18x18 tank would only suffice as a growout tank for a JD. I consider a standard 75 an acceptable enclosure for a full grown JD.

moreover, JD are not desirable as a solo "wet pet" species ime. They are reclusive and nervous when kept on their own. They seem to exhibit much more character and personality when surrounded by lots of dithers or other smaller cichlids.