New big tank coming, wanna help stock it?

[rvm]

Right, my 55g has been in the firing line to be replaced for a while now, but I wasn't intending to do it until mid next year. I may have the opportunity to get the new tank in a week or so now, so I want help deciding what to put in it.
I currently have a Geaophagus Jurupari, a pair of breeding Sajicas, 3 clown loaches, 1 Gibby, and a Royal Panaque in there, and I have a Severum and a pair of Rainbow Cichlids in my 50g tank.
My plan is to put the smaller guys (Rainbows and Sajicas) in the 50g along with the Royal Plec, and add some more small cichlids (possibly Firemouths or more rainbows), and move the Sev into the new tank.
The new one will be a 147g (US) tank with a footprint of 150x50cm, so I will have the Geo, Sev, clown loaches and gibby in there. Now I just need to decide what to put in there!!
VIP, I've seen the fish you came up with for David, and really like them and am interested in the Trimac, but wondered whether one would be ok, or should I get another sev, possibly an Oscar. Anyway, the choices are huge so let me know your thoughts on what I should do!! Any suggestions are welcome, and don't have to be cichlids, but will have to be big, and able to stand up for themselves!!!

 

[CFC]

Central americans and south americans dont mix well in 90% of cases, i would not advise keeping a trimac with any of your current fish.

The Geophagus (Satanoperca) is a schooling fish so ideally you should add at least another two and the severum could do with a couple of buddies too. You could add a oscar to the tank as well as filling out the numbers of your other fish but you will then be up to your cichlid housing capacity due to territory needs, you will still have pleanty of room for non cichlid fishes though.

 

[rvm]

Ok, so 3 Geos, 3 Sev's, 3 Clown Loaches, 1 Gibby, and an Oscar would go then, plus room for other non-cichlids? How about another Clown Loach, and one of those awesome catfish that you have in your picture thread CFC? Which one would go well? I like the shovelnose, would one be too big for that tank?

 

[CFC]

You could get away with two or three of the shovelnoses in that tank with the fish you plan to have, just make sure all the fish are over 4" or they will quickly become lunch. Also make sure that they are the Sorubim lima shovelnose's as these are the only species with the "shovelnose" tag that are aquarium suitable really.

 

[rvm]

Cool. Thanks for your help CFC. Let's just hope I got the cash to get the tank now (and that I can pursuade the missus!!!) I think that will be a great tank of fish even if I do say so myself!!!!!

 

[Ben]

sounds like a good mix

coudl u post some pics when its up and running? ???

 

[Vip]

You could get a trimac but the only downside is, it might claim the tanks as his own. CFC's tank setup is much better and much full.

Good luck, sounds like its going to be a nice tank.

 

[Cat]

Ok, so 3 Geos, 3 Sev's, 3 Clown Loaches, 1 Gibby, and an Oscar would go then, plus room for other non-cichlids? How about another Clown Loach, and one of those awesome catfish that you have in your picture thread CFC? Which one would go well? I like the shovelnose, would one be too big for that tank?

Can any one tell me were CFC's picture thread is I just looked in catfish forum and can't find it.

I was looking at a lfs this morning, I'm sure it was a shovelnose, I was looking at so trying to find a picture of one.

 

[CFC]

Click the link in my signature where it says HERE.

 

[Cat]

OK thanx CFC

 

[rvm]

CFC, I just wanted to check as I can't beleive I forgot this: how about a BGK? would one get terrorised by the Cichlids, or would he be OK?
They also have a pair of fish in my LFS I was thinking of instead of the shovelnoses, I'll let you know what they are in a couple of hours!!

 

[CFC]

Some people have had great success keeping BGK's with the less aggressive cichlids like oscars and severums but i cant comment from personal experience as this isnt a combination i have tried, if you try it just be prepared to move the BGK if it shows signs of being bullied.

 

[rvm]

OK. I'll think about that then, but I always wanted a BGK. may be worth a go!
I just got back from the LFS and was speaking to the guy about the tank, and what I wanted to do, and he acted completely unlike any LFS worker I know! He basically told me that I shouldn't really be keeping any different cichlids together and the oscar would kill everything in the tank, and then tried to sell me a load of tinfoil barbs and silver dollars instead!!! Methinks they're having problems getting rid of tinfoils and silver dollars!!!!!

EDIT: Oh yeah the 2 fish they had: can't remember the name, but they get to 2 feet, so a bit big. He also said that the shovelnose might eat the geos or sevs!!!

 

[CFC]

Typical responce from someone who has a very limited knowledge and experience with cichlids and thinks oscars are the biggest baddest fish on the planet, because compared to the guppies and mollies they are used to dealing they are Given space oscars are tottaly different fish and are not aggressive to other fish unless they can eat them or you have a spawning pair.

Id like to see a Sorubim lima shovelnose trying to swallow a severum, would look a yorkie trying to swallow a frisbee . Trust me ive been keeping shovelnose's for years and the largest fish ive known one take was a female congo tetra which was about 2 1/2".

The silver dollars would make a nice addition to the tank as a middle dwelling schooling fish but id avoid tinfoil barbs like the plague.

 

[rvm]

Well, just an update. I've got the tank; I'm going to pick it up tomorrow!! Gotta hire a Transit to pick it up in though!!
Got a good deal on it too, they are about £1000 new, and I got one with a Rena XP3 filter, a Fluval 404, Vecton UV25, lights, 2 air pumps, rocks and a few other bits and pieces for £600!!
I'll post pics as soon as I get it home, and update as and when I add the fish. Thanks for your help on this CFC. I think I'm going to go with your original suggestion of the Oscar, another Sev, a couple more Juraparis, 2 more Clown Loaches, a couple of Lima Shovelnoses, and I haven't decided on the BGK yet, I really like them, so I think I might give them a go. my LFS has them for £7, but they're little so I think i'll grow one out a bit in one of my smaller tanks for a while before moving him in with the big boys, does anyone know how long they take to grow??