Stocking A 120 Gallon

[MrNiceGuy]

I'm hopin to get myself a 120 gallon tank for cichlids in the near future. I'd like to stock it with fish that can co-exist without too much aggression. I've been told that avoiding pairs is the best way to do this. I'm hopin to get some stocking ideas from more experienced people. I'd like to get cichlids that are readily available at most pet stores. Here are a few that I like and have seen locally..

firemouth
convict
dempsey
acaras


How many cichlids could i realistically fit in a 120 gallon? I plan to buy all of them young so they are less likely to bully eachother.

 

[holidayinn]

Hi, would need to know the dimensions of the tank, as its not just volume but territory.

If it was me with a 120, assuming it is 5 foot long, could keep 3/4 large 'more chilled out' common cichlids with good filtration e.g. Oscar/Chocolate, Sev/Con/FM and a JD with dithers, plecs etc. As always much depends on individual fish's personality. HTH.

 

[meguro]

2 jaguar cichlids

 

[Cichlid_Crazy]

^ to small

 

[MrNiceGuy]

Hi, would need to know the dimensions of the tank, as its not just volume but territory.

If it was me with a 120, assuming it is 5 foot long, could keep 3/4 large 'more chilled out' common cichlids with good filtration e.g. Oscar/Chocolate, Sev/Con/FM and a JD with dithers, plecs etc. As always much depends on individual fish's personality. HTH.

5 foot long sounds about right. I read that Oscars produce a lot of waste? Does this apply to all cichlids or are Oscars messier? If not I think I'd like to try

one oscar- as the main attraction

one firemouth- as a rock dwelling, behind the scenes kinda guy

and two others..

i like convicts and jack dempseys but i hear they're more likely to cause trouble. are there any other common cichlids that are less aggressive? thanks for the help

 

[holidayinn]

IME Convicts can be problematic. Never had any issues with JD's in terms of overly-aggressive behaviour, but then I've not kept many. Could maybe consider Festivum, Severum, Rainbow, Sajica, Geophagus Brasiliensis etc...in general SA cichlids are more peaceful then CA apart from Red & Green Terrors.

 

[meguro]

^ to small

Only by 5 gallons according to this
http/www.fishforums.net/index.php?showtopic=212788

 

[holidayinn]

^ to small

Only by 5 gallons according to this
[URL="http/www.fishforums.net/index.php?showtopic=212788"]http/www.fishforums.net/index.php?showtopic=212788[/URL]

It would depend on the dimensions, Jags can get to 16-18", so if the width of the tank is 18", its not something I would do. Alternatively could try smaller Parachromis such as Loiselli, Freddie and RTM all get to 12" or so. But I think the OP is after a docile/semi-aggressive cichlid community. Oscars are messy, probably the messiest, but all large cichlids are...

 

[Cichlid_Crazy]

The problem with Jags is they are unpredictable in size....as most know they can attain 3ft in the wild (male) and are caught reguarly at that size.....they tend to stunt in tanks but I have seen some on MFK well over 2ft.

IMO nothing under a 8ft tank is suitable if you are being responsible of what might be.