Stocking Ideas For New Tank

[Ross101]

I've just got a rio 400 (think its the 450 litre one) and i'm moving my cichlids into this tank but i'm wondering what else to stock it with.

Current stock:

1x Large Male Gold/orange Severum 8"
2x Rainbow cichlids 4"
1x plec
1x Female Nicaragua Cichlid 5"

I want to keep it to fish no larger than the severum so no oscars etc, but not much smaller than the rainbows.

I really want a Blue JD but I don't know what else to get. Maybe try some females sevs (how many?) with the male severum?

Any ideas would be great.

 

[kaivalagi]

Will you have a sand substrate?

You could add a nice group (~5) of smallish Geophagus such as Red Head Tapajos...and maybe one female sev to pair up with the male?

What plec is it? If a smaller variety add another one too...?

 

[Ross101]

Will you have a sand substrate?

You could add a nice group (~5) of smallish Geophagus such as Red Head Tapajos...and maybe one female sev to pair up with the male?

What plec is it? If a smaller variety add another one too...?

Its a fine black gravel substrate.

I thought I read the sevs dont pair easily. how many females should I add? Will there be space for 2-3 females? I like the look of the Red Head Tapajos, I think a group of same species fish would look nice. thanks

The plec is common . I might trade him in and get some smaller though

 

[hamfist]

The plec is common . I might trade him in and get some smaller though

Good idea, long term.

As for adding another sev. THey can be very fussy about mates, and just adding a sev of the opposite sex is by no means a guarantee that they will pair up. They may just as likely squabble and fight continuously.
Personally, I think cichlid communities are much nicer without any breeding going on (espec with the larger cichlids). And due to that I would stick to a single sev.
Other options are Sajica cichlids -- really nice if you can find some nice ones.

If you are going the eartheater route I would recommend you look at the Satanoperca species rather than Geophagus ... my reasons for this being that the Satanopercas are simply much more gentle and much less likely to fight and squabble.

A Blue JD, as you suggested, might also fit in well, although with any cichlid mixes it's never completely predictable. Well worth a go though if you fancy one.

A lot of the fish you have, and that are being suggested, are bottom 1/3 dwellers. It might be nice also to have some uppper layer activity. Personally, I'd go for a small shoal of dwarf neon rainbows (Melanotaenia praecox), but you could also consider angel fish, or any of the upper layer larger tetras.

SOunds like you are going to have some fun stocking this tank !

 

[star4]

I agree with Hamfist I wouldnt risk trying another sev with a male red spot not at 8" anyway, you might (only might) get away with adding a smaller sev see if the male accepts it as it grows up.

There are loads of aequidens to choose from, pulcher, tetramerrus* (I am sure I have spelt it wrong?), diadema*, metae & port acara.



* Might be bigger than what you are after though.

 

[kizno1]

The Geophagus would work with gravel there earth eaters so shift through sand for food with gravel it could get caught or scratch the insides of there mouths and gills.

A EBJD should work ok as there not to aggressive so shouldnt cause any problems.

What about Hypselecara coryphaenoides there a smaller type of chocolate and only getting to 8" you have room for a pair.

For catfish maybe a Jaguar catfish or Pimelodus blochii or a groups of Pimelodus pictus or Holpo catfish.

Maybe swap the Common plec for a Royal or Cactus plec

 

[Ross101]

Thanks for all the suggestions. I wouldn't know where to begin to find half these species.

I actually bought my severum as a pair. But the male bullied the female once in my smaller tank (was fine in the shop). I think he was annoyed being downsized from the shop tank, hes the main reason I upgraded...(I hope he appreciates it when he moves into the new tank tomorrow)

I have a real love for severums and really wanted some golden/green ones. I may try adding some smaller females and hopefully he won't pick on them all if theres a few and they're much smaller.

I agree that the rainbows are a good idea for a sort of group fish, my LFS has some good sized ones. I'll see if he can order me some of the ones mentioned.

cheers