Hex Stocking

[NinjaSmurf]

I have a forty gallon hex sitting empty in my living room. All I want is a one larger cichlid and maybe a school of dithers, what I'm not sure. I prefer south american cichlids, I already have a tiny convict in my twenty gallon, and I might just move it into the hex, but I wanted to see if I had any other options. Thanks in advance.

 

[shroob]

What are the dimensions of the hex, that should help with stocking suggestions.

 

[NinjaSmurf]

It's about 22 inches tall, about 21 inches across from one flat side to the other, and each side is 12 inches wide. I checked a converter and it said it's about a 42 gallon tank.

 

[ox5477]

If you wish, hex's are perfect for angels due to their height conforming to the angels natural body shape. If you arn't in the angel mood, then maybe a couple unpaired cons would work (a pair will dominate the tank) or put the con in with maybe a fm and some rainbows. Not much else (bigger fish) will work because of the weird shape of the tank: most fish prefer a longer tank to taller for more swimming room and territorial claims. If you get a con and fm, then you could also look into some dithers like giant danios and such. They will not increase the bio-load much and will add a good amount of color and movement to the tank

 

[NinjaSmurf]

Would a con, fm, and rainbow work out with some dithers, or is that pushing it? Also, none of these will breed together will they?

 

[ox5477]

Would a con, fm, and rainbow work out with some dithers, or is that pushing it? Also, none of these will breed together will they?

I would say no to all three cichlids. Rainbows are peaceful but the con and fm might get into a little "argument." If it were a normal tank then it would prob be fine. But the shape of the tank makes the bottom area of the tank reduced. The fish will measure their territory on how much lateral space they have so I would recommend not all three of these guys. If you want to do the rainbow and con, or rainbow and fm, then go for it. Would make a nice looking tank