Suicidal Stocking

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shawngt2

Feeder Fish
May 11, 2026
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0
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Toronto, ON
First post! Be kind.

I have a 210 gallon. Just recently converted to SAs. Purchased the below stocking. Most of them are 1-2" with the Chocolat and True Parrot being about 3.5". I realize this likely going to be a death wish for some of the fish and think I will setup a 75-125 gallon somewhere in the house as a scoop and sell tank for ones I decide to rehome (for ones that are too timid or I don't love and or are to pissed off and not worth the personality). The plan is to let them grow, monitor and make decisions as I go along (hoping for no deaths *fingers crossed*). I have had South Americans before and "bullet" my 8" male Jake Dempsey was one of my favourite fish that got along with everything, so experiences vary as you all know.

Just looking for feedback on the plan to reinforce and tear apart my thoughts. Please, people with experience that are open minded with a similar setup for years. Not feedback based on what they read and opinions only. Thanks

Super Aggressive to least (roughly my interpretation)
-Red Devil
-Jaguar
-Green Texas
-Vieja Synspilum
-Green Terror
-Nicaraguan
-Wild True Parrot

-Convict
-Jack Dempsey
-Oscar
-Jewel

-Chocolate Cichlid
-Gold Severum
-Green Shoulder Severum
-Red tail shark
-5 dithers

-Snowball Pleco
 
I don´t consider South American, and Central American cichlids the same.
Most water in S America is neutral to low low in pH, (7 or lower) and and soft, while most water in Central America is hard and high pH (8 or higher).
Expecting nicaraguense (that come from 8 to 9 pH in Lake Nicaragua, to coexist in a tank with severums which soft pH 5 to 7, is not being realistic.
I live in Panama and test water parameters where ever I collect cichlids, and the pH is always above 8, and hard water.
I have also spent time in Colombia and tested the water, and water parameters were 7 (or below) and very soft.

Test your water, and combine cichlids according to what millions of years of evolution, and survival of the fittest has enabled them to be healthy in the appropriate water type..
 
I have a 210 gallon. Just recently converted to SAs. Purchased the below stocking.
Hello; An interesting variation on a common practice. Many have posted about getting a young & small fish which will son outgrow a small tank. They plan to "someday" have a bigger tank but often do not before the fish get too large.
You already have the big tank and a workable plan. Some depends on reducing the stocking at critical stages.

Duanes points out an important consideration. I also have found life simpler to house fish suited to me source water. May be the ones less suited for the water will not make it too long and make some of the selection.

but good luck.
 
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