Bigg(ish) New Worlds For A 180

[tenohfive]

I'm looking to turn my Rio 180 (180L/48 USG - 101cm long) into a SA/CA tank, with something a bit bigger than the previous community fish occupants.

I'd like something that I'll easily be able to see from the other side of the room, so I'm thinking 5 or 6 inches long minimum. I'm quite happy to only have a small number of occupants - 2 or 3 cichlids and maybe a few pictus cats or some other robust but smallish catfish. And something thats striking - not necessarily pretty but definately something that'll catch my eye when I'm in the living room, and isn't shy.

I've done some digging and some possibly options appear to be Geo Tapajos, Green Sev's, or Jewel cichlids. Most of them tick the boxes, but I was hoping someone could a) confirm they are options and I've not been misinformed and b) suggest some alternatives. The Sev option is the one that I liked the most - a couple of them and something else, maybe a couple of pictus cats perhaps?

Advice appreciated.
Cheers
Chris

 

[Truck]

I'm looking to turn my Rio 180 (180L/48 USG - 101cm long) into a SA/CA tank, with something a bit bigger than the previous community fish occupants.

I'd like something that I'll easily be able to see from the other side of the room, so I'm thinking 5 or 6 inches long minimum. I'm quite happy to only have a small number of occupants - 2 or 3 cichlids and maybe a few pictus cats or some other robust but smallish catfish. And something thats striking - not necessarily pretty but definately something that'll catch my eye when I'm in the living room, and isn't shy.

I've done some digging and some possibly options appear to be Geo Tapajos, Green Sev's, or Jewel cichlids. Most of them tick the boxes, but I was hoping someone could a) confirm they are options and I've not been misinformed and b) suggest some alternatives. The Sev option is the one that I liked the most - a couple of them and something else, maybe a couple of pictus cats perhaps?

Advice appreciated.
Cheers
Chris

not big enough for sevs IMO
have you considered:
firemouths
blue acara
convicts

 

[tenohfive]

Considered them, Acara's are an option. Any others?

 

[sswm]

Angels
Festivum
Keyholes

 

[tenohfive]

Angels: an option, some spectacular ones but most are abit bland
Festivums: only get to about 4" don't they? If so, a bit small again
Keyholes: nice but too small and indistinctive

 

[tenohfive]

I've googled it, but I'm struggling to get more info on the Blue Acara. Are they shy or confident, and would they be happy living in a tank in my front room?

How many could I get away with in my tank (will be trying to avoid a breeding pair) and what other similar sized tankmates would be suitable?

Edited to add:

How big are Blue Acara's when sold generally, and how long does it take them to grow to their adult size? And could I get away with a couple of Blue Acara's and a couple of Festivums - or would they be too shy?

 

[likescichlids]

I've googled it, but I'm struggling to get more info on the Blue Acara. Are they shy or confident, and would they be happy living in a tank in my front room?

How many could I get away with in my tank (will be trying to avoid a breeding pair) and what other similar sized tankmates would be suitable?

A possible tankmate could be a geophagus jurupari, although they can get up to 10".

 

[sswm]

It depends on the fish really...some do alright in community settings but then others can be real nasty

The problem is your tank isnt really that big, being just over 3 ft long so you dont have many options...so you should probably stick to one acara.

Check out gymnogeophagus...they are a bit smaller than Geophagus and require an period with cooler water but some of them get real colourful and you should be able to fit a few of them in your tank. heres a link to some of them gymnogeophagus

 

[tenohfive]

Cheers. Would that be one acara and nothing else, or one acara plus festivums etc?

As for the gymnogeo's, they're spectacular to look at. Will do a bit more reading on them, and see how easily available they are.

Editted to add:

They appear to be rarer than rocking horse s**t. Only one I can find is gymnogeophagus rhabdotus, which is in stock at MA St Albans, but I can't find much information on them.

 

[Brunell4070]

if you just want to keep one fish, you could probably get away with a single green terror (similar to blue acara). Usually they require a minimum of 55 gallons, but i'm sure if you kept him alone 48 would be fine.

 

[sswm]

Cheers. Would that be one acara and nothing else, or one acara plus festivums etc?

As for the gymnogeo's, they're spectacular to look at. Will do a bit more reading on them, and see how easily available they are.

Editted to add:

They appear to be rarer than rocking horse s**t. Only one I can find is gymnogeophagus rhabdotus, which is in stock at MA St Albans, but I can't find much information on them.

Heres a bit of info I could find on them. Very good looking fish imo Info

You could probably go with 4 of them in your tank.

If you go back to the link with the pics and go to contact and email the guy, I've heard that he will give you any info he can about them if that helps.

 

[minxfishy]

Firemouths, T.Meeki or T.Ellioti or T.Aureum (if you can find those). Max out at 6", beautiful colours, active, hardy and interactive fish.

Edit to add: 2 of either, with some dither fish, possibly giant danios, shoal of 6/8, they are fast enough and large enough to not be food or bullied.

 

[tenohfive]

Cheers. Would that be one acara and nothing else, or one acara plus festivums etc?

As for the gymnogeo's, they're spectacular to look at. Will do a bit more reading on them, and see how easily available they are.

Editted to add:

They appear to be rarer than rocking horse s**t. Only one I can find is gymnogeophagus rhabdotus, which is in stock at MA St Albans, but I can't find much information on them.

Heres a bit of info I could find on them. Very good looking fish imo Info

You could probably go with 4 of them in your tank.

If you go back to the link with the pics and go to contact and email the guy, I've heard that he will give you any info he can about them if that helps.

Cheers. That article was the only one I could find on them, so I think I will email him.
Going to pop into MA St A to have a look at them and see if they are in stock - won't be buying today, but should help me decide.

As for Firemouths, from the pic's I've seen I'm not overly keen on them but I'll have a look in MA and see how they strike me when seen in person.

Cheers for advice everyone.

 

[markandhisfish]

these are worth a look . very nice fish once matured .
[URL="http/www.fishforums.net/index.php?showtopic=178562"]http/www.fishforums.net/index.php?showtopic=178562[/URL]

I've googled it, but I'm struggling to get more info on the Blue Acara. Are they shy or confident, and would they be happy living in a tank in my front room?

How many could I get away with in my tank (will be trying to avoid a breeding pair) and what other similar sized tankmates would be suitable?

A possible tankmate could be a geophagus jurupari, although they can get up to 10".

my blue acara is quite confident he will usually swim to the front of the tank when he sees you approach. was a tad aggressive towards my jade eyed cichlids till they put him in his place.

deffinately no geophagus jurupari needs a much bigger tank.

agreed with minxy thorycthis eliotti or if you can find them auratum are both stunning fish

 

[Acara Man]

Blue Acaras are definately an option. Most come juvi size so about 3" max. You can buy larger specimens though. I have just bought one from my LFS who is easily 4 inches maybe slightly more. I paid the same price as a juvi for him too. I'm after a female now as I want to have a pair. Will then rehome my other 2 juvis.