Trigon 350 Stocking Suggestions

[Gooner]

Well, not long now. The big four O is only a few weeks away and I have conviced the wife the we need a bigger tank.

Have struck a deal with the Lfs and a bit of input from the family it is almost certain that a Trigon 350 is on the cards.

I would like to stick with the New World theme but am stuck with ideas.

Current setup
30 gal (L40"xH15"xW12")
2 x "Red" Rams 1m 1f
1 x Gold Spot Severum (3")
10 x Tiger Barbs
5 x Silver Tip Tetras
5 x Red Eye Tetras
1 x Bristlenose Plec
1 x Clown Plec
Overfilterd With
1 x Eheim Pro 2224 External
1 x Eheim Ecco 2233 External
Standard T8 30w Juwel bulb + T5 24w TriPlus PC

The Tetras will most deffinately be rehomed and would like your thoughts on what else could be stocked. Quite partial to the Blue Acara and Geophagus species.

Ideas please.

 

[shroob]

So if you get rid of the tetras you are left with:
2 rams
1 severum
10 tiger barbs (keeping?)
1 BN plec
1 Clown plec


That leaves room for other fish for sure, though I would try and stick with smaller species as a trigons shape isn't exactly suited to bigger fish. If you like blue acaras I would add one, as for geo's I'm not sure on them, very very little experience with them, all I know is very basic (groups, sand substrate etc) so I'll leave that to someone else.

On another note, if the barbs havn't been a problem so far then they should be ok I would have thought, but still look out for fin nipping on the trailing fins of some fish.

 

[Gooner]

I`d like to keep the barbs but not sure how long they have got left Unsure of lifespan.

Have had them for two years now. They are well behaved, they just squabble amongst themselves and have never bothered any other fish in the tank.

Dont want anything too big, around the 6-7" mark. I know the Severum could get up to 12" max, FishBase say 20cm-7"?

 

[funkyhoney]

For severums 8" is a good minimum max size, 10" is easily attainable and 12" is an all out max.

The barbs won't be a problem in those number, they should stick to themselves.

You could try adding angels? I've kept them quite well with barbs and sevs. Perhaps a blue acara even? Both are a 'medium' sized American cichlid and shouldn't bother any of your other fish. Maybe a few firemouth cichlids could go down well.. very colourful and generally quite peaceful, max out around 6".

Hope that helps a bit..