Hey guys, new to the forums and the site. I have a 150 gallon tank at home with some stray fish (friends couldn't keep them so I opted to take them)-5 star general and jack dempsey (they seemed to have paired), texas cichlid (dominant) and another more docile cichlid that I haven't been able to determine what it is (those 2 paired), and finally a green terror. The texas cichlid was once the smallest and has now become the alpha in the tank. Any suggestions on whether i should add more cichlids and what type?
What can I keep?
- Thread starter VAGUE
- Start date
Those fish alone will arguably require more space than your 150 can offer in the long run, assuming the footprint of your tank is 60"x24". I'd highly recommend you consider either
1) reduce the number of cichlids in that tank,
2) keeping the present quantity, but getting no more, and hoping you dont experience fatalities
3) get a couple african mbuna cichlids, on the pretense that you'll be getting another 55g or larger tank within the next 3 months - year, depending on how big your fish are now.
its very interesting that your JD and general have allegedly paired-off; pairing-offs between africans and americans seems to be very rare. I doubt you'll get any fertile fry from them, though.
1) reduce the number of cichlids in that tank,
2) keeping the present quantity, but getting no more, and hoping you dont experience fatalities
3) get a couple african mbuna cichlids, on the pretense that you'll be getting another 55g or larger tank within the next 3 months - year, depending on how big your fish are now.
its very interesting that your JD and general have allegedly paired-off; pairing-offs between africans and americans seems to be very rare. I doubt you'll get any fertile fry from them, though.
i wouldnt say it to small. all the fish he has take a while to get any real size to them. And besides look at my 150 i dont have no casualtys from fighting i have them from freaking poisond driftwood
Personal opinion does have a hefty say in regards to tank size.
My rational behind tank size for cichlids is this: They are territorial by nature; they like their personal space.
Its certainly proven that-- much of the time-- cichlids can be 'overstocked' and/or just 'get along', when they would otherwise be expected to attack each other.
But I feel these sort of setups repress their true nature, which is what I seek to observe when I look at my tank. I also hate seeing excessively-bullied cichlids sit in the corner of a tank looking gloomy, which can still potentially result from 'overstocked' tanks.
My rational behind tank size for cichlids is this: They are territorial by nature; they like their personal space.
Its certainly proven that-- much of the time-- cichlids can be 'overstocked' and/or just 'get along', when they would otherwise be expected to attack each other.
But I feel these sort of setups repress their true nature, which is what I seek to observe when I look at my tank. I also hate seeing excessively-bullied cichlids sit in the corner of a tank looking gloomy, which can still potentially result from 'overstocked' tanks.
i understand what ya saying. But none of my fish get picked on and i got no realy single bully. When you have a slightly overstocked tank it can cut the agression levels way down compared to only haveing a couple sparse fish in the tank. When i first stocked my 65 gal with my midas, original texas i use to have, jewl fish, two oscars and i probly had something else in it back them. I was told it would never work . Fish were gonna die. Never had the problem in begining the midas showed dominance and that was history he runs ****. No fighting just a short chase here or there. and it not always the midasgiveing a short chase. I graduated from the 65 to the 150 i have now. I also no i need a bigger tank. And i will be either thining my tank out alittle this spring . Or building a pond so i can move some into it. I also need to set my 75 back up and im gonna either put my midas pair or my florida jags in there.
I dont think your tanks to small, most of the fish are in the same agression level and all but the one you dont know about yet wont get above 10" thats more then enough room for them
I think your tank size is fine. If you are worried about them being in their natural environment then build a river behind your house. You are providing them eatch 30 gallons of space which is a little tight if that was it, but I think you'll be fine.
NO more fish in that tank though.
NO more fish in that tank though.
piranha45 said:
I kind of side with p45. I have a solitary Jag in a 92 gallon tank, all by itself. At this time it's the best that I can provide, and although I suffer numerous bites, and watch as the giant stump in the tank is flipped over, I take a bit of satisfaction in knowing that I haven't overstocked the tank (in ideal conditions, the Jag would have a much larger area to protect).