Tank upgrade with stocking question

[Anther77]

I am new to this site (just signed up). I am always cruising looking at others questions but I have one of my own now. I have recently upgraded to a 135 gallon tank. There are several of my old fish in there that will be rehomed (cardinals, rummynose, and corys). I also have some residents that will be staying (juvenile red shoulder Sevrum, gold nugget pleco, bristlenose pleco, and 5 Dension barbs. I have been trying to come up with the remaining fish and keep changing my mind. This is what my present list is. Let me know what you think. I am heading to a bigger city in a week and will be picking up some of theese fish. If you have any suggestions for alternate fish that would work let me know. There are so any cool fish out there and so little space in my tank.

2 red shoulder Severum
1 chocolate cichlid
1 blue acara
1 red hump eartheater
1 bristlenose pleco
1 gold nugget pleco

I was also thinking of taking out the acara and redhump in exchange for 5 geo. red head tapajos.

I have two Eheim 2217
The water in my area can be a bit hard(don't know numbers)
Ph in my tank is usually around 6.8

 

[DarylMac]

The pair of Severums, Chocolate Cichlid, and 5 red head Tapajos is a nice mix. I had a similar mix in my 135g.

All in all it was a very peaceful tank, but my Severums never paired up or spawned - Thad the only unknown, but I suspect it would be okay.

 

[tlindsey]

The pair of Severums, Chocolate Cichlid, and 5 red head Tapajos is a nice mix. I had a similar mix in my 135g.

All in all it was a very peaceful tank, but my Severums never paired up or spawned - Thad the only unknown, but I suspect it would be okay.

+1

 

[Fish on Fire]

Yeah, sounds like a good mix. Can't wait to see pictures. Welcome to the forum.

 

[DarylMac]

I'm assuming your 135g is the standard 72" L x 18" W x 24" Tall?

It's the 6 foot length that will make all the difference, especially if you aquascape it so that the Severums spawn at one end, rather than in the middle.

Back in the day I had a 6' 135g that was an odd ball mix of Cons, JD's, and Severums. My convicts would spawn at the extreme right side of the tank and everyone else would share the other third to a half.

It worked though. Aggression was always manageable.

 

[Alexxxxsv14]

Yah that stock is good I have 135g and have Severums and chocolate cichlid and green terror so far working out

 

[Anther77]

Thanks everyone that makes me feel more confident about adding some more fish. It's a 6 foot tank with quite a bit of wood rocks and fake plants. Just to mix it up a bit I found a Caquetaia spectabilis that I could buy. I gues I would have to replace the tapajos. Any thoughts?

 

[DarylMac]

I have 0 experience with the Caquetaia. I believe that is the Umbee family, correct? That's a large aggressive fish - I'd be cautious. Do your research. If the Spec gets Umbee size your tank will not be a forever home.

 

[Anther77]

From the limited reading I have done on them they can get to 18 inches. A little beyond my comfort zone but they are a longer slimmer fish. They are a type of pike ciclid that from what I have read it is relatively peaceful. They are beautiful but would set me back a bit in pocket change. I am definitely going to hold off for awhile. I probably can't get the tapajos until late summer any way. So lots of time for research and to change my mind several more times. I might just buy the chocolate ciclid this week if they look healthy and go from there.

 

[mrrobxc]

Thanks everyone that makes me feel more confident about adding some more fish. It's a 6 foot tank with quite a bit of wood rocks and fake plants. Just to mix it up a bit I found a Caquetaia spectabilis that I could buy. I gues I would have to replace the tapajos. Any thoughts?

You don't have to replace the Tapajos. The specs only get to a foot and mostly pick on each other. Be careful not to keep them with other robust piscovores as they have very weak jaws and can end up dislocating their jaw if they lip lock. I lost my dominant male spec when he lip locked my hoplarchus psittacus.

I like the idea of the Specs with the Geo red heads as they are both found in the Rio Tapajos. I think Caquetaia are an under appreciated group of fish.

Lastly, umbees are now classified in the kronoheros genus now.