Is This A Good Setup For My New Tank?

[soybean]

Thanks for all your replies:

Don't get me wrong lads, I really appreciate all your input into this; its just hard to compromise on such amazing fish types =P

- x2 Angelfish
- x2 German Blue/Bolivian Rams
- x2 Opaline Gouramis
- x6 Congo Tetras
- x1 Snowball Pleco

This any better?

At the end of the day it's your tank, your choice. But compatibility requires compromise. I know exactly what I'd put in my ideal dream tank - but I can't, because everything would die or kill each other in about a day.

If anything, rule out the blue rams - beautiful, but just not compatible in terms of water requirements, etc.

 

[AmazonFTW]

I have to agree with Matt. Personally I am moving to a "biotope" kind of setup. I know pleco and corys are S Americans but I have not been able to move them on! My plants are also not strictly Asian either...

Is your water soft and acidic enough for the blue ram? They are not cheap to buy and you don't really want to waste £10 on a fish that is destine to die in a wrong setup. With 2 Angels you have a 25% chance of getting 2 males, which could be a problem. Opaline gouramis are pretty hardy when it comes to water parameters but try to get 2 females. I have no experience with snowball pleco but if you want a pleco to clean your algae then get a bristlenose. I heard they are better at that. Most pleco are nocturnal so you may not even see it. I haven't seen my pleco for quite a while now, occasinally at night time when tank and room lights are out. A bit sad really.

Adrian

+1

 

[Mr Melt]

Ok, Just got back from the LFS (better one than my usual) and they suggested the following:

- x2 Angelfish
- x1 Nicaragua Cichlid/x2 Blue Acaras/x2 Cockatoo Dwarf Cichlids
- x2 Opaline Gouramis
- x6 Congo Tetras
- x1 Snowball Pleco

How does that sound?

 

[twodoctors]

Blue acara will eat the tetras. You should see how big their mouth gets when they get big.

As above, it's you tank. Compatibility-wise, cichlids can and will eat what will fit in their mouth. They are also territorial, so if you are prepared to see (and deal with/accept) aggression then by all means try the above but without the tetras. Also remember that breeding pair of any cichlids are aggressive. You may be fine with just 1 pair in your tank. 2 pairs is asking for trouble.

Adrian

 

[mattlee]

nicaragua cichlids get very big and become quite aggressive with it. i had one that was about 5 inches that wasnt shy about picking a fight with any of the other cichlids in the tank and all were much bigger than him. i would stay clear of these fish especially in a rio 180. if i remember right they can reach 10 inches or so....

angelfish and gouramis wont stand a chance against a cichlid with attitude. i know angels are cichlids but they are easy targets due to their long fins and shape and arent very agile for reasons like escape and hideing.

 

[Mr Melt]

Blue acara will eat the tetras. You should see how big their mouth gets when they get big.

As above, it's you tank. Compatibility-wise, cichlids can and will eat what will fit in their mouth. They are also territorial, so if you are prepared to see (and deal with/accept) aggression then by all means try the above but without the tetras. Also remember that breeding pair of any cichlids are aggressive. You may be fine with just 1 pair in your tank. 2 pairs is asking for trouble.

Adrian

But Congos are bigger than standard tetras; surely they would be too big to fit in a Blue Acara's mouth?

And when it comes to pairing, what do you mean? I would only add one single pair of Acaras OR Dwarf Cockatoos, the "/" signified OR, not + if you get me =P

nicaragua cichlids get very big and become quite aggressive with it. i had one that was about 5 inches that wasnt shy about picking a fight with any of the other cichlids in the tank and all were much bigger than him. i would stay clear of these fish especially in a rio 180. if i remember right they can reach 10 inches or so....

angelfish and gouramis wont stand a chance against a cichlid with attitude. i know angels are cichlids but they are easy targets due to their long fins and shape and arent very agile for reasons like escape and hideing.

So the Nicaragua Cichlids out. What about the Blue Acara OR Dwarf Cockatoo Pair?

 

[twodoctors]

I remember at one point I has a shoal of 12 tiger barbs about 1.5 to 2 inches big. I stupidly went against the advice of LFS and got a Jack Dempsey. It was only about 2-3 inches. I have never seen my barbs school so tightly before. Overnight 12 became 11. The JD went back to the shop.

Blue Acara is supposed to be less aggressive than JD but each fish is different. Ask yourself if it is worth the risk before going ahead.

Adrian

 

[Flexa]

I like your choice of fish, but they'll get big.. lol

 

[Mr Melt]

Well I'll be adding the Congos to the tank 1st, then the hotly debated "cichlid" fish a week later.

I'll see how one Blue Acara gets on; if its aggressive I'll take it back to the LFS and get a Bolivian Ram instead.

That sound about right?

 

[minnnt]

I would go with the apistos personally as I don't think your tank is comfortably big enough for a pair of blue acaras. Look at honduran red points or rainbow cichlids too.

 

[Mr Melt]

I was looking at some Rainbow Cichlids in the LFS the other day; beautiful fish.....

I'll ask a few more people in my LFS when I head up to get the Tetras and see what they say.

 

[AmazonFTW]

Blue Acaras would be fine (they reach the same size as Rainbow Cichlids), but if they're spawning the other fish won't be too happy. Bolivian Rams would be the best choice as they're small(ish) and aren't anywhere near as aggressive as larger cichlids. A male-female pair would add a very nice bit of personality to your tank. I also agree with Rainbow Cichlids.

I personally wouldn't keep more than one pair of cichlids together, there are a lot of aggression issues that can occur.

AmazonFTW

 

[minnnt]

Rainbows are some of the most laid back cichlids there is Mine are truly beautiful! Their colour changes are immense.