Stocking 500 Gallons. Please Help.

[dcj38]

As some of you guys know I am builiding a pond with about 500 gallons of water. I live in Florida where most of the tropical fish reside in the canals, and rivers. I already have 2 big oscars, which will be put in the pond when ready. I was thinking that I will put 2-3 jack dempseys, and 2-3 green terrors in this pond. Can you guys think of any other fish that are big and colorfull that I can put in. Today I am removing all the fish from my signature down below except the plecos, as they are going in the pond. I know you guys are going to cringe at what im going to say next, and that is I will be placing all the fish i buy in a 29 gallon for about a month and a half, but dont worry as I will buy the fish small. After this small time period they will happily go in the pond! So please recommend me some more fish.

Adam

 

[sylvia]

If I were in your position, I would first be patient and only buy all the fish once the 500 gallon was ready. I'd also not go for any cichldis however... Actualy, my tank would probably contain osphronemus goramys Anyway, in your case, I would look into getting some large schooling fish and, perhaps, some of the various larger catfish. Ask in teh appropriate forums (cyprinids and catfish) and check the fish index for inspiration.

 

[Ben]

i agree with sylvia, you dont only have to get cichlids, but you could get large scholling fish like tin foil barbs and large catfish like common and sailfin plecos

DD

 

[dcj38]

i agree with sylvia, you dont only have to get cichlids, but you could get large scholling fish like tin foil barbs and large catfish like common and sailfin plecos

DD

I totally agree with you guys with the tinfoil barbs and catfish. I went to the lfs today, and saw some nice tinfoil barbs, and nice catfish. I also traded my African cichlids in for store credit, as I restrained my self from buying other cichlids.

 

[Matty]

maybe a decent-sized school of balas?

 

[Ethos]

But you might want to keep in mind that nature can kill - Your fish and your wallet. I know that my grandparents have endured some very nasty storms down there, and not just hurricanes.
Snakes, turtles, crocks, and other animals like fish for a treat...

 

[VENOM]

texas cichlids are pretty and are similar level of agression as the dempsey.

Try some silver dollars and tinfoils too.

 

[dcj38]

But you might want to keep in mind that nature can kill - Your fish and your wallet. I know that my grandparents have endured some very nasty storms down there, and not just hurricanes.
Snakes, turtles, crocks, and other animals like fish for a treat...

Snakes, turtles, crocks, and other animals will not be a problem as it is in a screened area.

 

[EliteFishy]

Ill will go for a silver awowana.

 

[MasterP]

I say that you should put some red devils in, a peacock bass could be a possibility, and I agree with EliteFishy about the silver arowanna. You could put 50 guppies in and let them breed for a constint supply of live food( or atleast see how long they last).

 

[prankster705]

Jaguar cichlid, red devil, peacock bass... you could go for only piranhas...

 

[pica_nuttalli]

i personally would hesitate to add anything more valuable than $50. as ethos mentioned, there are a lot of risk factors whenever keeping fish in an uncontrolled environment.

go with Central American fish like oscars because they are evolved to live in a semi-temperate environment like Florida. the closer a fish's homeland is to the equator, the less equipped it is to handle seasonal temperature fluctuations. i also suggest that you keep an eye out for fish described as doing better when kept at alternating temperatures with a "winter" period. again, this is indicative of a fish that is more likely to thrive when subjected to the elements of Florida.

 

[KageBunshin]

Ill will go for a silver awowana.

Hell yeah!


But... Sorry to be a party pooper but how about a nice koi pond. I have relatives in florida and I hear the Predator Pond Birds can be a big hassle for a pond owner. I have lost about 40 bucks of fish here in southern california from egrets, and they are pretty rare in california too (atleast where I live). Koi and Goldfish are bred to be seen from above. Cant say much for ciclids.