I just changed a planted 135 into a fish only tank. I had several fish in a grow-out 55 that had outgrown the space and are now in the 135: a 7" albino pacu, 4 "regular" silver dollars (3"), 5 red spot silver dollars (2.5"), 4 red hooks (various sizes the largest about 4"), and I left the 8 or so bushynose from the previous set up. The tank contains a riverine type flow with a large powerhead at one end and two large sponge filters as the other connected by under gravel PVC pipe, also a large hang on the back filter. The tank contains driftwood and one large rock shelter so there are quite a few hiding places. The fish are much "happier" now that they have more swimming space, the pacu was very unhappy the last month or so.
I want to add some cichlids but do not want anything overly aggressive. So far I have one Firehead in quarantine, he was getting beaten up by much smaller cichlids in someone's tank and they brought him to a LFS. He's very pretty and so far, very timid, although I have read that they can be everything from peaceful to very aggressive. I have considered Severums, I have had them before and might try the red spotted or orange shoulder varieties if I can find them. I would prefer to keep the tank central/south American fishes and may add a Leporinus and some Pictus Cats as well, but any help on the cichlids would be appreciated.
BTW all the silver dollar-like fish above were sold as common silver dollars at PetSmart, including the red hooks, so it pays to keep a sharp eye out for oddballs at the box stores. I had never seen the red spot silver dollar before, they seem to stay relatively small compared to the others. Can't find to much info on the though.
I want to add some cichlids but do not want anything overly aggressive. So far I have one Firehead in quarantine, he was getting beaten up by much smaller cichlids in someone's tank and they brought him to a LFS. He's very pretty and so far, very timid, although I have read that they can be everything from peaceful to very aggressive. I have considered Severums, I have had them before and might try the red spotted or orange shoulder varieties if I can find them. I would prefer to keep the tank central/south American fishes and may add a Leporinus and some Pictus Cats as well, but any help on the cichlids would be appreciated.
BTW all the silver dollar-like fish above were sold as common silver dollars at PetSmart, including the red hooks, so it pays to keep a sharp eye out for oddballs at the box stores. I had never seen the red spot silver dollar before, they seem to stay relatively small compared to the others. Can't find to much info on the though.
