Mixing Larger Americans

[funkyhoney]

Howdy, well I don't yet have the tank in question; but I plan to buy a new tank early next year with the hopes of setting up a nice New World tank with larger fish. I've always loved Oscars, Red Devils etc. more intelligent fish with good personalities.

Aaaanyway, providing the tank is large enough, is it possible to keep 1 Oscar, 1 Chocolate Cichlid and 1 Severum successfully?

Now bear in mind, I don't have the tank yet, so this thread is to help me decide on a suitable size and whether or not I can keep what I'm after nicely. The tank I was thinking about getting would be 48" x 18" x 18" - big enough?

Thanks in advance!

 

[randallhart]

Isn't that close to a 75 gallon?
I wouldn't suggest it seeing how its big enough for the oscar alone.

 

[funkyhoney]

Yeah I thought it would be a bit of a squeeze for the oscar; keeping the other two with some other fish should be fine though right?

 

[randallhart]

You mean the chocolate and severum?
I see now problem with those two and some other fish.
What other fish did you have in mind?

 

[funkyhoney]

I'm not really too sure as for the others, maybe a few smaller fish to just add some interaction etc. to the tank, like firemouths or maybe some forest jewels.

What else would be suitable and fairly easy to come by?

 

[shroob]

It would probably be better if you say what size tank you are getting, then we could suggest fish for that tank.
If you are getting the 48x18x18, I would suggest one oscar and one FM/con or smaller cichlid.

 

[england]

can you go bigger?try for a 5ft/2ft/2ft or a 6ft/2ft/2ft then have some fun

 

[funkyhoney]

Ok, well from the looks of things (as much as I'd LOOOOVE a bigger tank) it will probably end up being a Juwel Rio 240; funds/space at the moment can't really justify anything bigger

So any idea's? Ideally I think I'd prefer to have more medium-sized fish than say, a single oscar.

EDIT: for reference, Rio 240 is 121 x 41 x 55 (48" x 16" x 22")

 

[Davo86]

I would look at cichlids that max at around 5" -8" this should leave you with plenty of options for stocking.

here are a few of the more common species that you could research

Rainbow 5"
Sajica 6"
Firemouth 6"
Convict 6"
Blue Acara 8"
Severum 8"
Nicaraguense 8-10"
Chocolate 10-12"

You could also look at some of the south american catfish, such as raphaels and pims

 

[funkyhoney]

Ok, major bump!

Now it's pretty much confirmed that I'll be getting a tank, a standard 75Gal in your scale (48x18x20)

In regards to stocking, yet again. I'll be adding a lot of driftwood to help keep the water nice and soft for a Chocolate cichlid. Now I already have a small Gold Severum in a different tank, would a chocolate, this gold sev, AND an additional green sev be too much for the tank?

Only other stock would be cleaners, probably bristlenose or whiptails, maybe a clown plec.

 

[Tobigara]

in a standard 75 gallon? that would work and i would think that would be quite nice. i love severums

i'm too sure about the clown pleco tho. they only get to like 4". if you want a pleco i would go with a BN or 2.

 

[shroob]

I think 2 severums and a chocolate may be overload. But thats just my personal opinion.

 

[funkyhoney]

I think 2 severums and a chocolate may be overload. But thats just my personal opinion.

Do you mean in regards to the amount of space they'll have or the bioload being too great?

Filtration will most likely be a Fluval 405 and an additional internal or possibly a Fluval 105 if I end up having to take down an old tank.

 

[shroob]

Well mainly space, you have potentially 3 bulky 12" fish. I personally wouldnt do it, but its your tank, all I can say is my opinion, it could work out, but I would feel that 3 fish in that tank may feel cramped. There will be trouble if you get 2 male severums, as these will fight and you will probably have to rehome one (like I had to).

 

[funkyhoney]

Well mainly space, you have potentially 3 bulky 12" fish. I personally wouldnt do it, but its your tank, all I can say is my opinion, it could work out, but I would feel that 3 fish in that tank may feel cramped. There will be trouble if you get 2 male severums, as these will fight and you will probably have to rehome one (like I had to).

Hmmm... Well I may just keep my gold severum instead of buying a new one and get a smaller companion. I was under the impression they generally maxed out at 8 inchs?