Upgrade planning - help me stock

[magpie]

This is for my future tank - I have to move and then will upgrade to ideally a 180, possibly 150. It's not going to happen for a good year plus so I am just daydreaming and researching for now. J jaws7777 suggested I start a thread.


I like live plants. I don't necessarily need a densely planted aquarium but I at the very least want anubias and javas etc tied to decor. I do like plants in the substrate, though.

I will have Bichirs. Rope fish - have 3 currently and would also like to be able to keep.
(I would like to keep other current stock as much as able, which are Butterflyfish and one Ctenopoma. I have congo tetras but don't care too much about them.)

I would like to keep the drama and aggression down to a manageable level.


Considered cichlids:
I really, really want a Paratilapia Polleni!

Heterospilus
Loisellei
Sajica
Chocolate
Green Terror
Severum

Opinions on these, which would most likely work best, which do you prefer as far as behavior and temperament, etc.

Thanks!

 

[jaws7777]

Im gonna be partial tothe hets being that i have had success with mixing mine and bichirs. You know the gist..mild mannered and not a trouble maker.

I wanted others to chime in just to help give you a broader base of opinions to help with your decision. Keeping the polys was and is a top priority for me as well.

I think the combo of sajica, het and choc maybe least drama free and i anticipate them completey ignoring the polys as mine do, but see what other say.

Love the loisellei and heard they are the least aggressive parachromis but would concerned with competiotion over food. My cichlids wont go near tilapia as they favor a herbivorous diet but the loisellei may be a different story.

isde02 duanes Stanzzzz7 dan518 DMD123

 

[Gourami Swami]

I would definitely not go with loisellei, or anything that large and predatory, considering you have some pretty delicate stock (butterflyfish). Green terror might be a bit much too. I think more along the lines of sajica, or severums if you want something larger, would make sense.

 

[isde02]

This is for my future tank - I have to move and then will upgrade to ideally a 180, possibly 150. It's not going to happen for a good year plus so I am just daydreaming and researching for now. J jaws7777 suggested I start a thread.


I like live plants. I don't necessarily need a densely planted aquarium but I at the very least want anubias and javas etc tied to decor. I do like plants in the substrate, though.

I will have Bichirs. Rope fish - have 3 currently and would also like to be able to keep.
(I would like to keep other current stock as much as able, which are Butterflyfish and one Ctenopoma. I have congo tetras but don't care too much about them.)

I would like to keep the drama and aggression down to a manageable level.


Considered cichlids:
I really, really want a Paratilapia Polleni!

Heterospilus
Loisellei
Sajica
Chocolate
Green Terror
Severum

Opinions on these, which would most likely work best, which do you prefer as far as behavior and temperament, etc.

Thanks!

Those are all really good choices imo and would be fine with ropes and bichirs. Although with loisellei I would probably keep a single specimen over a pair, because there would be drama if they decided to breed. Green terrors can be hit or miss as far as aggression but if you raised up a small one in a community you should be fine. Chocolates, severum, and heterospilus do great in community tanks and wouldn't be an issue with poly's. I don't know much about sajica. It's just a matter of personal preference as to which you like more.

 

[magpie]

How many of the above cichlids would you do in a 5 ft vs. 6 ft tank?

I realize that each individual fish is different as well.

The butterflies could go if necessary. I just like them and their frowny Beaker mouths.

 

[jaws7777]

Just a suggestion magpie but if you go with a 6ft tank dont do a 150. I hate mine and wish it would have gone 180 instead. The width os way more funtional on the 180

 

[magpie]

I've read that! A 180 is my ideal for sure. Just trying to get as much info as possible in case a 5 foot will be what fits in whatever space we have.

 

[dan518]

Severums, heterospila will probably be bad for your plants, don't have experience with chocolates or green terrors so can't comment, solo male Sajica would be OK, pairs can be pretty bad.
If your just going for java fern or anubias I would try heterospila they should be alright with them.

 

[jaws7777]

Yeah my het never messed with any of my plants but ya never know maybe it was just her and not the norm

 

[jaws7777]

Also guys i have no experience with polleni how would they mix in with her pruposed stock ?