Topic: New 150 gallon

[Dan]

Hi,  I just finally got my 150 gallon up and running.  my fish are the following:

2 Oscars  (paired)  Long finned Red Tiger & Pumpkin Oscar

2 Torqu. Severums
1 Blue Acara
2 Bala Sharks
1 Irred Shark
2 Silver Dollars
1 Pictus cat
1 Pleco

I guess, my questions are: Will this combo work or do I eventually have to give some away? Can I add another fish? If so, what do you suggest, if a small Cichlid.  I have had it now for 1 month and 1/2 and have had no problems at all so far with aggression.  Any opinions or suggestions would be appreciated.

Thanks

 

[ezdave]

actually I think thats a nice combination
 The only thing I can see is maybe that the Acaras would nip at the Oscars until they got to sufficient size but, Hey congratulations on the new tank
 

[tracey]

It sounds fairly good for the mix of cichlids, although you might find that since blu acaras are slower growing, your lonesome one might get a little bullied.  Not 100% sure on the sharks, but I do know that bala's prefer to be in schools, and I'm not sure that two different species of sharks would be a good idea, not sure if the iridescent might consider the bala's to be a threat or not    It might work better if you had either tinfoils or bala's rather than a mis of the two.  Both of them like to school, so maybe 4 bala's or 4 tinfoils instead of a mix.  I'm sure someone else will come along soon with some better advice

[Freaky Jason]

Personally, I'd trade in the bala sharks and the irridescent shark.  both grow very large (balas to ~13" and irridescents to around 36") and both are schooling fish.  I'd trade them for about 4 more silver dollars and 2-3 more pictus cats.  those cichlids will probably be ok in that large of a tank so long as the blue acara is never small enough to be eaten by one of the oscars.  I probably wouldn't add any more cichlids.  If you do add any more they'd probably be a bit cramped and might get territorial which would lead to problems.  If you decide to add another cichlid or if by some chance you decide to trade the acara, you might give consideration to the Chocolate cichlid (Hypselecara temporalis).  I believe they grow around 10" and are similar in temperament to severums and oscars.

[Lovesmydevil]

I think thats awsome.  WOW   150 gallons lucky son of a u know what :Combination I think is good.  But every fish is different in personality.  So latter down the road u may have the most aggressive biggest blue acra ever and have to change. Probably not but remeber fish like big cichlids are smart and do develope liked and disliked personalitys.

[Dan]

I probably say that the Blue Acara is the most non active fish I have in there. I should mention that all my fish are atleast 3 to 4 inches long already.(sorry)

Is 12 a good number or can I add 1 more fish?

I know I'd be pushing it with another Cichlid.I actually miss my old Albino Oscar.  I like having atleast one white/pinkish fish in that combo.  What about a pink Kissing Gourami?  does anyone know about them.  I hav heard they are a little bit of an instigater and get quite big.

What can anyone tell me about Irredes. Sharks.  I know alot about Balas.  LOL, sorry for all the questions on this post. Just want as much research as possible, before I go out and get anything.

Thanks

[ezdave]

On the subject of Pink kissing gouramis. My personal opinion is they are total bully's. I bought two a long time ago. I just had to have them. No matter what I put them in with they were constantly sucking on the fish. I figured I would put them in with the cons and let them get an attitude adjustment, Ha they wore my cons out. I put them in the cold water tub/pond with my koi/goldfish they still aggravate everyone.
 They seem to be a little fragile until they hit 2 inches but, after that they can be like leeches as far as the other fish in the tank are concerned.
  Iridescent shark:
          Although they can grow to 4 foot in the wild they probably won't get past 18 inches in an aquarium.
There have been reports of them jumping 6 feet but, 3 feet is more likely so a well covered tank is an absolute.They have a lifespan of about 10 years. They are a schooling fish but, should after an appropriate time join with the balas in schooling activity. This is a 50/50 thing and like Tracey said it would be better to get either all balas or all iridescent. Most people will recommend that when keeping the iridescent that you keep them in a school of six or more while the balas are mostly recommended at three or more.

[ZombieSlayer]

First suggestion is to get rid of the irred sharks and the balas.  Once fully grown you're going to have a serious bio load and an overstocked tank.  I have 4 oscars and 3 bala sharks in a 240g tank and have to do weekly water changes to keep the nitrates around 40ppm.  I have 2 emp 400's and a wet/dry setup on this tank and have a gallon per hour turnover of 1700.  I'm either going to have to get more filtration, lose a pair of o's, or hopefully get this 125 from this guy in the next town over.  So if you don't get rid of the sharks, you will have to do water changes of at least 30% every week...if not twice weekly, depending on your filtration.

Second suggestion, if you can find one 3-4" get a pink gourami   Yea, they'll try to bully everyone in the tank...but the oscars will put him/her in their place  

[Dan]

If I were to trade in the  Docile Blue Acara and get a Firemouth, then add the Kisser, maybe it would be quickly put in it's place by the Oscars and Severums, whom are both paired and the FM.  I think he'd only go after the Sharks and Silver Dollars. Has any one ever kept Kissers and had them be peaceful?  I just wanna make sure before I add one. Or should I just add a tinfil Barb and get rid of one of the sharks instead. I have just heard that Kisser are pretty cool fish to keep from a buddy of mine.

Thanks!  I'm open to any suggestions.

[Dan]

Bye the way,  I have kept different American Cichlids, and does anyone else agree, that the Blue Acara is one of the boring Cichlids there is? Don't get me wrong, it's a beautiful fish, but both ones I have kept, just don't seem to have any personality to them. Just my opinion.     

[Dan]

ok, Thanks for the help from all who helped me.   I'm going repost the same question a little differently under General Equ.  Until I get some more info, I'm gonna chill out from buying anything, just yet. 

[raven]

does anyone else agree, that the Blue Acara is one of the boring Cichlids there is? Don't get me wrong, it's a beautiful fish,

Well, they aren't the most exciting fish, but the ones I had, well, the female was a bit boring, but the male 'hybrid' was very active and had OODLES of personality. I miss them. Maybe it's because they are fairly non aggressive, if you put 'em in a tank with more submissive fish, I guarantee you'll see more action, as their natural cichlid attitudes will shine in the face of opportunity! 

[Dan]

That sounds cool Raven.  I have noticed that it will chase or nudge the 2 Balas, Irred, and 2 Silver Dollars every once in awhile.  I think it's a little intimidated though by the Oscars and Severums, twice it's size

[raven]

LOL, Can you blame him?! They get way bigger and meaner, that's for sure!

[Dan]

LOL. absolutely!  It's not like it's a Jewel, Con or FM, that will fight back, no matter How big the Fish is.