Stocking Ideas For 125gal W/ 2 Blood Parrots

[johnnyr]

Hey guys,

I've got my new 125gal set up, and will be stocking it with 2 Blood Parrots. I'd like to put in some smaller cichlids (that will stay small)

Ok, Here is what I have so far for my stocking ideas:

2 x Blood Parrots

2 x Earth Eaters
2 x Agassiz's Dwarf Cichlid
2 x Macmasters Dwarf Cichlid
2 x Panda Dwarf
4 x Kribensis
2 x Bolvarian Rams

Now, Obviously all of those fish in a 125g would be way overstocked. But out of those, what would you recommend I get?

Just a note, The Blood Parrots have to stay.

Thanks!

John

 

[Waterbox]

I don't think that would be really overstocked. Just start with the species you would like the most and add more until their territories start to seem crammed up. The Rams don't really have territories but I'm not sure if the Apistos are territorial or not.

 

[DiscusKeeper403]

Doesn't seem too bad. Try to imagine all of those fish, with a territory, fitting in nicely, with room to move around without being attacked.

 

[darknirvana217]

Yeah that seems like a nice set up. Parrotfish are generally not really aggressive. i would make sure I had enough hiding and territory for all those cichlids. Otherwise you might have some fights.

 

[cheesy feet]

I think you might have problems with dwarf cichlids and parrot cichlids, some can be quite boisterous.Parrot cichlids usually get 6-8' sometimes much bigger where the dwarfs only get 2-3'.Also parrot cichlids tend not to like the low pH as the dwarfs do, but I know there easy to acclimatize to slightly higher pH so that isn't really a problem.It will probably work though, just give plenty of territory's for them.If it were me I would go with other fish like blue acaras, firemouths, keyholes, pearsei cichlids, severums, convicts etc.Thats just my opinion though As you said though you like the smaller cichlids.For the stocking I would do something along the lines of, I don't think thats overstocked for dwarfs?Maybe you could get some more in there.Just as a note with the dwarf cichlids get them at a descent size because if not they might become food.
2 x Parrot cichlids
2 x Earth Eaters
2 x Macmasters Dwarf Cichlid
2 x Agassiz's Dwarf Cichlid
2 x Kribs
2 x Bolivian rams

 

[vancouver]

I would worry about all of those fish together to be honest..

Parrots can be terrors, as can kribensis..

Dwarf cichlids will not be able to stand up to kribs or parrots... If the parrots/kribs can catch them, they will kill them without problems..

Panda cories too.. Kinda small to be going with parrots/kribs.

The only fish there that I would consider putting together would be the parrots, kribs, and eartheaters... Everything else could too easily become food.

 

[Waterbox]

Yeah I agree with Vancouver.

He reminded me about how mean Kribs can be, and I have seen a mean Parrot or two.

 

[cheesy feet]

When I had kribs they didn't seem to be too aggressive until they started breeding but even then they stay'd in their own cave.Surely in such a big tank they wouldn't pose a threat?

 

[johnnyr]

Well Just to give you guys some more info, the two parrots I already have, and they are completely harmless from what I've seen. I've had them in with a JD, Firemouth, and Green Severum, and never saw any aggression from them. I also had to put them in with some mollies for a few weeks, and again, all was well. The only time I've seen them aggressive is when the female lays eggs. (They aren't fertile of course) and the male defends the cave the female is in. It's very cute, and even in that instance they did zero damage to any other fish, mostly just chasing them away.


Anyway, So lets assume my BP's are pretty peaceful...and lets lose the Kribs.

Also, I mean the Panda Dwarf Cichlid, not Panda Cories =)

The reason I want smaller Cichlids is so the tank stays active, and I don't have only 3 or 4 huge fish lumbering around.

Another note is that my BP's are still relatively small, one is 4-5 inch, the other more like 2-3. They like eachother very much and are always hanging around together, like I said, it's very cute.

Anyway, thanks for all the suggestions, keep them coming!

 

[Waterbox]

Yeah you would know your own fishes personality so if you say they are peaceful thats good.

It might be kind of cool to keep the tank a little understocked, and see if you can get your fish to pair up and raise fry with the extra space of a 125 gallon.

 

[johnnyr]

Yeah you would know your own fishes personality so if you say they are peaceful thats good.

It might be kind of cool to keep the tank a little understocked, and see if you can get your fish to pair up and raise fry with the extra space of a 125 gallon.

Thats what I'm thinking too. A Nice, relaxed, laid back understocked tank.

 

[vancouver]

Just make sure you have some hiding places only the dwarf cichlids can get into... So just in case the parrots get hungry and decide they might want to eat one of them.