Please Inspire Me ! 150G Stocking

[hamfist]

Just looking for a bit of inspiration on finishing the stocking of my 150G (5x2x2).

Current "centrepiece" fish are ...

1 x chocolate cichlid
1 x green sev

Others are ....

2 x Satanoperca leucosticta
1 x Geo. steindachneri
4 rainbows (Melanotaenia splendida rubrostriata)

Also have 3 x Brochis multiradiatus and 1 x blue acara, which are being rehomed for various reasons. Just not sure what to finish the stocking with.

Looking for one (or two) more medium sized cichlids to increase the midwater presence.
They need to be relatively peaceful, as my choc is a big wimp and the sev is only a little boy at the moment. But don't want anything too small. Maybe about 5-8" full grown max size.

Maybe I should just leave as it is, as I already have 4 x potentially 10" fish plus a 5-6" fish in there. they are all juvies too. It's difficult to imagine how full the tank will seem once they are all grown.
I think the 3 x eartheaters for the bottom is enough. Maybe I will add 2 x female G.steindachneri for my current male. Although I am cautious about this as male steiny's are reputed to be terrors with both other males, and also harassing females for nookie. I do love my male steiny theough. He is an amazing character .... and is utterly beautiful too !
Definately no catfish, they just don't interest me.

The blue acara seemed a good fit. However, it has taken a real shine to the chocolate cichlid and is stressing my choc out, hence the BA will be rehomed.

Any thoughts ?

What would you do if you were finishing the stock of this tank ?

Oddball suggestions also welcome !

 

[kaivalagi]

One of Star4's Rotkeils...or do you want something different to another sev?

 

[hamfist]

...or do you want something different to another sev?

Ideally something different. yeah.

 

[kaivalagi]

I would say a Nicaraguan Cichlid (Hypsophrys nicaraguensis) but they can get a bit feisty...? Not quite a CA I know...

Mmmmm, could you squeeze a parrot cichlid (Hoplarchus psittacus) in there?

 

[hamfist]

I would say a Nicaraguan Cichlid (Hypsophrys nicaraguensis) but they can get a bit feisty...? Not quite a CA I know...

Mmmmm, could you squeeze a parrot cichlid (Hoplarchus psittacus) in there?

Hmmmm. Both are a bit feisty for what I'm looking for.

Just been tempted by some Vieja regani that my LFS has in. Of the viejas, these are supposed to be some of the most peaceful.

 

[star4]

If you liked the blue acara but its not working out what about A. Metae, very colourful and peaceful.

 

[markandhisfish]

or you could start from scratch with a couple of oscars

 

[hamfist]

If you liked the blue acara but its not working out what about A. Metae, very colourful and peaceful.

Thanks. A good suggestion.

or you could start from scratch with a couple of oscars

 

[mattlee]

how about a diadema? very similar to the metae but gets a bit bigger

 

[rdp50734]

Blackbelts? Vieja argentia?

Does it have to be a cichlid?

 

[hamfist]

Does it have to be a cichlid?

I think so, yes.


Diadema - yes, possibly. One of my LFS had a load of these in a while back.

Any of the vieja/paratheraps-type fish are verging on being too aggresive. All individuals are different of course but, from what I can gather, the synspilus and the regani are probably the most placid of them on average, and are probably the only ones I would consider.
Argentea are fairly reknowned for being absolute terrors.

 

[ChilliPepper]

I was going to suggest some Bosemani Rainbowfish, but saw that you ideally want another cichlid.

What about a Jack Dempsey? Beautiful fish, and speaking from my experience, tough but not argumentative. I have a female though.

 

[Wills]

Not sure on the synspilus but I have heard the Regani are quite a calm but is that quite calm compared to other Veijas or quite calm compared to other cichlids in general? Something Ive not been sure of.

A good little group of fish I really love and am just waiting to find some up north is the Theraps genus Theraps Coerules and Theraps Lentiginosus are my favorite two and get compared to Ellioti in levels of aggression but they are an utterly gorgeous fish that should be available but just are seriously rare but occasionally show up and I believe there are a few batches of both down yours and Goats way

What about some kind of Pike cichlid? Is it the Saxatilis types that are meant to be really calm? But then again some C.Regani would do well in there just depends on what kind of size you could find them at?

Wills

 

[hamfist]

I was going to suggest some Bosemani Rainbowfish, but saw that you ideally want another cichlid.

Strangely, bosemanis were definately on my mind if I ended up not getting a cichlid.

What about a Jack Dempsey? Beautiful fish, and speaking from my experience, tough but not argumentative. I have a female though.

JD's .... lol. not for me.

 

[hamfist]

Not sure on the synspilus but I have heard the Regani are quite a calm but is that quite calm compared to other Veijas or quite calm compared to other cichlids in general? Something Ive not been sure of.

Ditto for me. Although I have been observing a batch of V.regani over the last couple of months in one of my LFS and they defo seem pretty laid back, even for cichlids in general. Having said that, they are all still very small.

A good little group of fish I really love and am just waiting to find some up north is the Theraps genus Theraps Coerules and Theraps Lentiginosus are my favorite two and get compared to Ellioti in levels of aggression but they are an utterly gorgeous fish that should be available but just are seriously rare but occasionally show up and I believe there are a few batches of both down yours and Goats way

What about some kind of Pike cichlid? Is it the Saxatilis types that are meant to be really calm? But then again some C.Regani would do well in there just depends on what kind of size you could find them at?

Wills

Never heard of either of those Theraps species. Minimal info on the www also. What is max size ? Also, whereabouts down here have you heard of batches ?

Pikes ... probably out of the question at the moment as my little male steindachneri is only 2" long at the moment (and he is a definate keeper !). He wouldn't last long with any pikes until he's grown a fair bit !