Topic: Ok, new fish time. Suggestions welcome.

[_JK_]

I've come to the rather obvious conclusion that my 44gal pentagon tank isn't cutting it for my 2 oscars anymore.  They're about a year old, and are growing yet again. :-[

They appear to be pretty healthy guys though, and I love the little buggers, so it's really sucking for me to see them go, but it needs to be done.  Even tho the wife says she doesn't care about 'my fish', she doesn't want to get rid of them either.

So, what can I put in this tank that I won't have to get rid of after a year?

If it matters, I've got a 30-60gal HOB Whisper filter, and a Filstar XP1 running, so filtration shouldn't be an issue at all.  Have a nice IC-controlled 300W heater as well, so temp should be easy to match up.

I was thinking either convict(s) or a JD?  Firemouth?  Green terror?  Any combination therein?  Obviously I don't want the tank to be bare.   There's already a pleco in there (~"4) who will be staying even after the O's are gone.  I'd like a more aggressive/active tank, but I don't want to keep having to play referee and seperating fish who don't play nice.

Ok, go!

[mrbigfish]

I was thinking what you're thinking exactly

[_JK_]

I was thinking what you're thinking exactly

How many of what ones though?

[tracey]

What are the dimensions of your tank?  Does it have a large f"loor space" or is it higher, rather than wider?  The amount of "floor space" is going to be a big factor in what fish you can keep in there.  Most cichlids base their territories on square footage and don't pay much attention to how high up it goes.  If you're a little short of bottom you might want to think about a few different species that occupy different areas of the water column, or species that are more comfortable in higher tanks, such as angels.  

[_JK_]

What are the dimensions of your tank?  Does it have a large f"loor space" or is it higher, rather than wider?  The amount of "floor space" is going to be a big factor in what fish you can keep in there.  Most cichlids base their territories on square footage and don't pay much attention to how high up it goes.  If you're a little short of bottom you might want to think about a few different species that occupy different areas of the water column, or species that are more comfortable in higher tanks, such as angels. 

It's this guy:

44 Gallon Pentagon Aquarium 22"L x 22"W x 24"H



I'm open to all suggestions really, I just don't want to have to re-stock every year because of poor planning on my part.  Buying a new tank isn't an option, since I just got this one.

[tracey]

I figured it would be higher, rather than wide    That will limit your options considerably when it comes to larger fish.  Of all the cichlid species out there, angels are the best suited for tall tanks.  They're also a little more on the peacful side, which gives you options on adding other fish like tetra's and danio's that live higher in the water column. 

If it were me, I would go with 2 or 4 angels and a small school (10 fish) each of maybe 2 different species of tetra's.  I know thats not really what you want to keep, but with the small amount of floor space that you have, you really don't have room for bigger cichlids.  GT's and JD's are definitely out, sorry    They need far more square footage at the bottom of the tank than you have.  A pair on convicts or firemouths would be possible, but only a pair of either.  With them you could also add tetra's or other smaller "dither fish" to keep up the activity and the colour aspect of the tank.  What species is your pleco?  A few bristlenose plecos would do well in an angel tank as long as you have some real driftwood for them to munch on. 

[_JK_]

Honestly, I have no clue what kind of pleco it is.   

What other fish would work with either a con or firemouth pair?

Should I forego the american cichlids and start looking at africans?  I don't really know jack about them, but is there a wider variety of smaller speicies I could work with?

edit--could a moderator maybe move this to general aquarii?

[Dan]

Maybe Giant Danios or Tiger or Rosey Barbs.  A spotted Pim Cat maybe. Certain Gouramis also could go in with them.

[JC]

Ooooooh I"ve been wanting that tank for a long time!  I envy you!

What I personally would do is put about 5 silver dollars or 2 to 4 angels in there, and a school of about 20 black neons and lots of long thin silk plants

I'd probably put 2 or 3 small loaches in it too (pakistani botia or burmese botia)

[_JK_]

Ooooooh I"ve been wanting that tank for a long time!  I envy you!

What I personally would do is put about 5 silver dollars or 2 to 4 angels in there, and a school of about 20 black neons and lots of long thin silk plants

I'd probably put 2 or 3 small loaches in it too (pakistani botia or burmese botia)

Thanks.. I really like the tank in terms of getting a lot of water volume into a small space, but as I'm quickly finding out, it's kinda limiting my options of what I really want to do with it.  Especially since I'm not really fond of angels, which is what I keep hearing to put in.   Once these guys have another growth spurt (they're due), they're pretty screwed.  Trying to find them a new home now.  The one LFS that opened in town only has 20G tanks, so they don't have room for them, will probably need to find a way to get them into the city to another shop:

[Dan]

Thats a great picture of your tank!  Personally,  I'd go with the Angels too.  Just get 4 different kinds, and it will look great.  Black velet, Altum, Diamond, etc., .  Just a suggestion.

 Love the Oscars too! You shouldn't have any problems with people taking them.

[tjaxon]

I have to agree with whomever said not to put a JD in there. My tank is identiical to yours, and my 6" JD is too cramped. I'm trying to get a 150 gallon tank for him and the dwarf frogs, and was wondering, like you, what would be a better choice for that size tank.

[tracey]

JK, are you definite on wanting cichlids of some kind for the tank?  The lack of floor space does limit your options, but I will do some research and try to come up with something other than angels    I understand why you don't really want them, I'm not the greatest fan either, but off the top of my head, they were the best option I could come up with for you.  Africans are an option, but we can rule out mbuna right from the start, they're the same as SA's when it comes to defining their territories    I'm wondering if maybe one of the apistogramma species might work in there....... they're small, but a lot of very colourful and quite ballsy for little guys  .  There is one guy I know of that has good quality stock and is happy to ship fish if you're not nearby.  Let me know if you'd like a link to his site so you can have a look

[_JK_]

JK, are you definite on wanting cichlids of some kind for the tank?  The lack of floor space does limit your options, but I will do some research and try to come up with something other than angels    I understand why you don't really want them, I'm not the greatest fan either, but off the top of my head, they were the best option I could come up with for you.  Africans are an option, but we can rule out mbuna right from the start, they're the same as SA's when it comes to defining their territories    I'm wondering if maybe one of the apistogramma species might work in there....... they're small, but a lot of very colourful and quite ballsy for little guys  .  There is one guy I know of that has good quality stock and is happy to ship fish if you're not nearby.  Let me know if you'd like a link to his site so you can have a look

I went and looked at some angels yesterday... I guess I don't hate them as much as I thought I did, but I'd rather go with something more...active?  Yah, I'd definitely be willing to look at the apistogramma-whatevers.   I'm still a fish newbie, so I'm trying to learn as much as I can.  I was looking at calvus's and cyprichromis too, dunno if they'd work though either.  Thanks for the help! 

[tracey]

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