Stocking ideas for Ancient Fish theme tank

[cpm6t]

I would like to set up a tank of "Ancient Fish".
The size would be 6' X 2.5' X 2 (about 220 g)

I would like to have
1 Silver Aro
1 Black Aro
2 Florida gars
2 Black Ghost

Is this overstocked (when the Aros & Gars get to 2-2.5 feet size)? If not can you please recommend what else can I add.

I would like to add some colored fish (still within the theme) if possible.
Looked at Bichir, but I was not very impressed. But I might get one of them, may be.

 

[smitty03281964]

Well if you bought them small it would take some time for them to grow into that tank. Believe me they will let you know if they are overstocked. Until that happens I would not worry.

 

[cpm6t]

Yes, I already have the silver Aro 5" now. Two BGKs 3" now.
The Florida Gars at the LFS are about 7"-8" in size, so I'm not so sure putting them with the Aro at this time. From what I've read, I would like to have the gars smaller than the Aro when I mix them. Therefore I'll wait till they get the next batch of smaller GARs (unless somebody tells me there is no harm).
Also waiting for LFS to bring in some black Aros.

Any ideas for colorful Ancient fish please?

 

[jsodwi]

I would throw in a bicher anyway. Endlicheri or ornate dont look too bad. They are definately "ancient" fish

 

[cpm6t]

I would throw in a bicher anyway. Endlicheri or ornate dont look too bad. They are definately "ancient" fish

Yeah, you are right. It wouldn't be a complete "Ancient" without a bicher.

 

[Wiggles92]

Ditch the gars or the arowanas; you can't have both in the same aquarium for any extended period of time and expect for both fishes to be happy, healthy, and safe.

 

[cpm6t]

Ditch the gars or the arowanas; you can't have both in the same aquarium for any extended period of time and expect for both fishes to be happy, healthy, and safe.

I have seen advice on this forum regarding not having Gars & Aro together. At the same time there are people at the forum who are keeping them together also. Well, probably the majority have failed in keeping them together, I guess. I think I'm still gonna try this mix and see how it works out. If I fail, well, I've been warned, so can't complain. . Doesn't mean that I will not be upset.

Thanks for the advice though.

 

[Wiggles92]

Have you considered adding a South American lungfish or an Australian lungfish?

I have seen advice on this forum regarding not having Gars & Aro together. At the same time there are people at the forum who are keeping them together also. Well, probably the majority have failed in keeping them together, I guess. I think I'm still gonna try this mix and see how it works out. If I fail, well, I've been warned, so can't complain. . Doesn't mean that I will not be upset.

Thanks for the advice though.

Okay, well as long as you know the odds are against you... Be prepared to separate them at a moment's notice.

 

[Madding]

I have seen advice on this forum regarding not having Gars & Aro together. At the same time there are people at the forum who are keeping them together also. Well, probably the majority have failed in keeping them together, I guess. I think I'm still gonna try this mix and see how it works out. If I fail, well, I've been warned, so can't complain. . Doesn't mean that I will not be upset.

Thanks for the advice though.

I wish I had taken pictures of the beautiful arowana that got its eyes bit out by my gar and died later that night. Lived with those gars for a while too, then they changed their mind.

Take warnings to heart...

 

[jsodwi]

I have 3 gars from 22-28" and a beautiful 20" aro. Occasional nipped fins. As long as I keep them all well fed, I dont have any problems. I am all for the combo. Good luck