Upgrade planning - fun stock options?

[kewpiefishypewpie]

Thanks again! I haven't done one lick of research on Geos because of that. (I research a lot of fish LOL)
I will look into them for sure now. I do plan on having stand substrate anyway. I also think they're fairly active which is nice when you have a tank full of Polys. I have UJs so they're not total logs but they're not the most active fish either.

I have read that Pollini are most likely to get along with cichlids that have different head shapes and of course that are not black or dark. Geos fit that perfectly .

Yeah the conspecific aggression is real, I'm fortunate that my male has tolerated my female for this long. The other one I had was brutal on her, relentless.

 

[tlindsey]

Thanks again! I haven't done one lick of research on Geos because of that. (I research a lot of fish LOL)
I will look into them for sure now. I do plan on having stand substrate anyway. I also think they're fairly active which is nice when you have a tank full of Polys. I have UJs so they're not total logs but they're not the most active fish either.

I have read that Pollini are most likely to get along with cichlids that have different head shapes and of course that are not black or dark. Geos fit that perfectly .

Have one large Geophagus in with my large polys no issues at all.

 

[magpie]

Do they like buddies? I seem to see them in groups- sounds like they could go either way? Vs like cories who really enjoy each other so a solo one isn't a good idea.

Do you think he's a cool fish to have? (eg worth the bioload?)

 

[magpie]

What does everyone else think of a fire eel in a 180? Is it a bad idea?

I've read conflicting reports, some say ok, some say no.

I know a 150 rules one out.

 

[tlindsey]

Do they like buddies? I seem to see them in groups- sounds like they could go either way? Vs like cories who really enjoy each other so a solo one isn't a good idea.

Do you think he's a cool fish to have? (eg worth the bioload?)

If you are referring to Geophas yes. A group of them would be better.

 

[magpie]

Paretroplus Menarambo get enormous. Not just long but tall.

I have 8-10" in my notes.. what size do they get?

 

[jaws7777]

Sorry mags i just sae this.

Lots of good suggestions so far. My reply is going to be boring compared to the others lol.

As far as polys u know the deal. Lowers and uppers can be mixed excluding sens imo but it all depends on the temperment of the LJ's.

As far as tankmates its really up to you. I dont care for geo's and feel like the bottom areas will be crowded but thats just me.

I really like the Nicaragua cichlid suggestion. I always wanted a small group....i forgot which sex stays dull looking but a male and 3 girl friends could be really cool.

I have a 150 and u know how much i hate that tank seriously try for the 180 you'll be happier in the long run.

If it were me i wouls stay away from green terrors some can be easy going and others not so easy going ( havent kept any myself but have seen enough threads to have my doubts)

Along with stocking i would also start researching filtrarion methods (can, sumps, hobs) as that will be the real heart ams soul of your new tank.

Im not a fan of big cichlids in comms just never worked out long term for me. But if you decide to stick with just UJ's you may want to look at some of the cyrptoheros types like sajica, nanolutes, panemensis, honduran red points. Not sure if the name has changed but u should still be able to google them

 

[magpie]

Thanks Frank!

Definitely need to research the filtration aspect of things. I would much prefer a sump over canisters.

Do you have any non-cichlid suggestions?

So you think is long as I didn't have an overly huge or aggressive lower jaw it would possibly be safe with the Polli and Moke?

 

[jaws7777]

Thanks Frank!

Definitely need to research the filtration aspect of things. I would much prefer a sump over canisters.

Do you have any non-cichlid suggestions?

So you think is long as I didn't have an overly huge or aggressive lower jaw it would possibly be safe with the Polli and Moke?

Only reason why i say it could work is because some other members have done it. Me i dont know how comfy i am with it lomg term. I chose the safe route by only keeping the big 3 UJ's (teug and ornate) with LJ i sleep easier at night lol

dmcskoolkid could probably add to the discussion. When i had his 12 inch del in the big tank at the time sp.delaware was my biggest poly and she made the del look like a worm. Do i think she would/could eat it ? Probably not, i cant pin point why but i wasnt comfortable with it.

Im pretty sure Hao kept LJ and UJ

Another thing to think about is aesthetics.... hulk and the polys get along but theres some off about them in person. The polys look all prehistoric while the pearsei doesnt. Doesnt bother me but something to consider.

Im not sure about cats being that ive only had the few for a couple of months but i think the jagaurs would be fine with lower jaws....the are chunky. koltsixx kept some with laps

Florida gar would be cool but im not sure a 180 is big enough long term.

If this were me i would be thinking aboit maintenance (wc's) low maintenance would lead me to keep a few uj's and some comm friendly fish (smaller sized) higher maintenance you knkw the chore my 300 so if i were setting up a 180 i would put less than 5 LJ's boring i know but im sick and tired of the 2 or 3 times per week wcs

Thats the biggest hurdle with polys for the most part they arent aggressive which leads to us over stocking

 

[twentyleagues]

Personally I'd say no lj with ujs unless it's del, teug, ornate, weeksii. That's me though. Geos are great I have a topajo and an albino heckelii. Neither are bothered by or bother the polys. The two I've chosen are not fond of larger groups. But alot are and in a 180 or better yet 220 a small group of winermilli or jurupari or altifrons or really any of them would be awesome. Heckelii seem more like cichlids in their behavior, they will eat from the water colum or sift sand, stay alot in mid tank. Topajo only sifts sand hangs near bottom, but both are really active.