Stocking Advice Needed Please

[star4]

Hi, Firstly I have no idea about large Chichlids (I have a couple of Kribs in one of my tanks) and am looking for some good advice.

I have two 15" common plecs and a 8" common plec all residing in a 4x2x2 tank (rescued the two biggies and was given the 8") I am running an external (fluval 405) and internal filter (Juwel Jumbo). I have managed to get them a bigger tank (5x2x2) which I am in the process of cleaning up.

When I move them I would like something else in the tank. but I am getting conflicting advice (the net and LFS). I was thinking of going for larger cichlids, I have fallen for the Frontosa, but I have now found out these are not suitable. I have a thing for stripy fish and have also ruled out the convicts.

My other choice would be some silver sharks. I was thinking 3 but some "community creater" sites have shown I can have lots more?

I dont want to fill the tank with lots of other fish, just 2 or 3 middle - top dewlling fish, but I am unsure what to have, so any recommendations would be great.

At the end of the day I want what is best for my two big guys, they were in an awful state when I got them, and the one is so tame now he loves having his nose stroked and will turn over for his tummy to be tickled. (they also both come to the surface when I call thier names!! lol)

I dont want to end up with some "nice fish" and upset my plecs and cause problems for the fish I add. (I hope you understand what I am going on about lol).

The tank I am setting up is going to be minimalistic, with a large piece of bogwood and some smooth stones. What I have read and been told Cichlids should be ok, but I would prefer advice from people that actually keep them rather than go rushing off and buying something totally unsuitable.

Thanks in advance.

 

[markandhisfish]

get a sev mate you wont regret it .

exhibit a lol

 

[star4]

Mark thats naughty just posting pics of such a beautiful fish lol

Will have a google for info on them though.

 

[Davo86]

How about 2-3 Bala sharks, 3-4 nice big striped Angels and then a medium sized 'centrepiece cichlid

 

[markandhisfish]

if you go to the pinned thread at top of this section ( more shameless self promotiopn lol) there are links to species profile etc

 

[star4]

Hi dave, I like the idea of the sharks, they are nice. I dont think angels will be fully suitable as the filters I am running at the mo give quite a powerful current and I have read angels dont do too well in stronger currents. (But thats just what I have read).

Thanks Mark will have a look

 

[star4]

oooooooooooooohhhhhhhh your little green Serv is adorable. I have just had a quick read (will study later when Kids are in bed!!!) I am thinking of no substrate at all in the bottom of the tank, would this bother severms?

 

[markandhisfish]

probably wouldnt bother the fish too much but would look a lot nicer with substrate. also depends what other stock you get too. a lot of cichlids like to dig/sift through the substrate

thanks i love my sevs. the little green is just starting to colour up a bit now .

 

[Davo86]

no probs, for stronger currents you could try torpedo barbs,
and maybe some larger rainbows like Boesmani, iranian reds etc..

A bare bottom tank would make cleaning much easier, although it can cause some fish to become skittish,
I wouldn't advise keeping known skittish species such as silver sharks, Silver Dollars, etc.. in a bb tank

 

[star4]

Thanks Dave, I didnt know about a bb tank upsetting fish, thats great to know. The tank is bb at the mo, and as you can imagine with two huge plecs it does get rather mucky! I have had a thought about the bottom as I have some of that polystyrene tank backing stuff. (normal people fit it inside to the back) I was thinking of having it on the bottom but not siliconed down but weighted with the large rocks so it can be lifted to keep the tank clean. Maybe that would help with the sharks? but it wouldnt be suitable for Servs then if they like to dig?? I do have some "rock terrace" I could possibly create a section with some substrate for diggers.

So many questions lol so many fish to choose from.

I really appreciate this guys