Stocking suggestions for my first monster cichlid tank (90g)

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FinalJenemba

Feeder Fish
MFK Member
Jun 12, 2012
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Hi all! Finally got a large tank together and running. This my first tank bigger than 45g, been wanting something like this for a long time. I got it all put together today but am still not sure what way to go fish wise. I have never been able to keep really large fish before, so want something big. I don't think I want just one fish, but would be ok with only 2-3. The stock that keeps going around my head is 1 Oscar (never had one before), 1 Super red severum, and a few geos, but would love to hear more ideas. My waters on the hard side ~8ph, but is very clean; it's well water from the florida aquifer. I know someone who breeds tank raised discus in it so it's good stuff lol. I already have a 45g Mbuna tank, so not interested in those types of fish.

This is the ingredient list for the tank:

1) 90g used off craigslist of unknown brand.
2) Glass tops, it ended up being an odd tank with a glass brace so I had to silicone in some custom plastic blocks to hold the two tops in place.
3) 48" Single T5 Strip Light, not super bright but i'm not growing plants and it will keep the algae down.
4) Rena XP4
5) Hydor 300w inline heater, I hate how heaters look inside tanks
6) 100lbs of pool filter sand made by the florida silica sand company, cost $10 at home depot
7) Susquehanna River Driftwood off ebay
8) Rocks from the LFS
9) Pots from home depot
10) About $40 in plastic plants from Michaels

And here are some pics:





 
I believe the severums and Geos are probably a good mix for that size tank (it looks to be a 90 long, so an adequate footprint). As adults they max out around 9", which to me is perfect for 90 gallons. Especially if you over filter, and do frequent partial water changes.
Many people think a 90 gal or even a 75 is big enough for a full grown oscar, I personally think those size tanks are too small for a 14" fish of any kind, which an oscar, under good conditions can easily attain.
The Geos will live in the lower zones of the tank, and sevs mid area, giving plenty of activity throughout the water column of the tank
 
+1 for foresters comment. Congos would be awesome but are not as easy to find and quite a bit more pricey. Giant. Danios or even buenos aires would be fine. I have both and personally like the way the danios go around the tank better. Now if only my male rtm would stop eating them. I need gianter giant danios ;)

I have severums and an oscar and love them.
 
I think a single Oscar + severum + maybe 1 other medium sized fish like a firemouth would be fine in that tank.

Nice job on it. Very pretty
 
Good looking setup!

If you were wanting to do an Oscar tank, I'd say you had enough room, a 48"x18" footprint isn't a bad space for one to grow up by any means, although I'm sure some people/fish would prefer a standard 125 72"x18" footprint for their O. However, If you were planning on having an O in there, I'd skip the tank mates and make it a solo wet pet tank.

Severum are a good suggestion, although some can max out at 12" (close to Oscar size) so if you are wanting to avoid large fish, you may not want to go that route.

If it were my tank, I'd plan on giving it to a pair of 6-10" cichlids, something like a Pair of Nicaraguan, Jack Dempsey, or maybe even some Salvini. If you want large/successful spawns, them just leave them be; but if you're like me you'll want more movement on a daily basis. Throw some nice dither's in (like the Danio listed above) along with a smaller bottom feeder or possibly even a small group of cleaners and you've got yourself a tank!

Keep us updated
 
congrats dude, I love the 90 gal I was gonna get that but then my dad helped me get a 125 so that's what I got now. in my tank I have a male jag,male mayan cichlid, a male Dempsey and firemouth. all 5-8 inches in size. they get along great.you could get whatever you want in a 90 gal. if I were you I wouldn't get an Oscar. if you want something bad a** I would get something from the parachromis genus if you know what that is if not do some research and youll find out. you could get something from the nandopsis genus like a Cuban cichlid (I have one that's 3 inches in a growout tank so I could put him in my 125 one day) the list goes on. you could get a grammodes cichlid (bad a** fish) you could get a couple dempseys. just make sure if you gonna mix and match put the more ruthless species in last and make sure they are the smaller more submissive fish when put in. for instance my jag was 1 inch when I got him and my Dempsey and mayan were like 4 inches so even though the jag is the same size now hes still unsure of himself in other words he shi** himself when my Dempsey comes around him. u shud be very excited, you just opened up a whole new door into the hobby because basically the choice is yours on what you want.
 
Thanks guys! I see where you're coming from on the O. Could I get away with one Oscar and one Severum, maybe with some dither fish? I have just been reading that they do really well together, they would be raised from babies. The only Characin dither fish I see that could work are silver dollars, could I use red head Tapajos instead? They get smaller then the silver dollars and are just as peaceful.

And I would love to have a pair of something, I just don't want to go through all the work of finding a pair and rehoming fish lol.
 
wow and you don't want any of the nasty mean fish I suggested to you.....we cant be friends if your gonna waste that tank on an Oscar.. lmao jk
 
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