Stocking Levels For A Hex?

[NinjaSmurf]

My brother gave me his old hex tank after he bought a new tank, so I'm looking to stock. I tried using the one conversion table but I think I messed it up, I'm not sure how many gallons it holds. It's about 22 inches deep and not quite 21 inches across. I was hoping to have maybe a sengal bichir and some sort of new world cichlid, possibly with a smaller eel and a school of dithers, like tiger barbs, but not sure how that would work. Any advice appreciated.

 

[eschaton]

It's difficult to know without the height, but my guess is based upon regular hex tank dimensions that's around a 30 gallon tank. It sounds too small for Birchirs, which should be kept in a minimum of a 55 gallon tank.

In addition, hex tanks are usually taller than they are wide. This both decreases oxygen levels (meaning less stock can be added), and means there is less area on the bottom - though as Bichirs breathe air, this isn't an issue. However, the small amount of space on the bottom is. A bichir can easily grow to half the length of that tank, meaning it will barely have room to turn around.

I wouldn't let any long and skinny fish anywhere near the tank. hexes are good for tall fish like angels, and planted tanks, but pretty shoddy for everything else. This tank sounds a bit small for angels though. I'd suggest a pair of rams or maybe a an Apisto or Keyhole pair.

 

[NinjaSmurf]

How about a convict and a school of tiger barbs?

 

[eschaton]

That doesn't sound overstocked to me, but convicts have a far meaner temper than Tiger Barbs. I'd let the Tiger Barbs grow out for a bit before adding a convict, and use a female instead of a male. I don't have personal experience with Convicts though, so maybe people in the NW Cichlid forum could be more helpful.