The Great Devide....

[VirgoWolf]

I am seriously contemplating seperating my SA/CA community. This would leave me with a couple understocked tanks and room to grow. Here's how it would end up if I go through with it.

220gal
2 Oscars
1 Black Ghost Knifefish
1 L014 (goldie pleco)


150gal
1 Electric Blue Jack Dempsey
<5 Firemouths

I say up to 5 firemouths because I have 5, but depending on pairing and such, not sure how many will end up in there.

So I need to find out what else I can add to these. I know I REALLY want some Blue Acaras, but I can't find them for the life of me. I woulden't mind some eartheaters of some sort if I can work that out. If I could get some Cons to cohabitate nicely, I'd love that. I'm supposed to be getting a Gibby, so that's got to fit in there. I am thinking I might actually try some angels in the 220 since my Oscars are big sissies, but that's just an idea I am toying with.

Anyone have any suggestions?

 

[VirgoWolf]

OK, so now Big Vine has me thinking Salvini... Any hope of getting them to cohabitate with the EBJD and FM's in the 150?

Or... maybe Avalon has tempted me enough that I want a green terror? So many options... why can't they all just get along?! LOL

 

[FreshwaterJeff]

Not to further complicate things, but I wonder how a "dwarf" pike like Crenicichla compressiceps or C. regani would fit into the 150...

I'll leave the salvini question to those with experience, but personally, since BV's got that one covered, I think you should do something else

 

[lordroad]

For SA...

2 oscars
BGK
Pleco
Raphael catfish
5 Severum or 5 Uaru (depends on if your pleco is a monster, growing 12 + inches... if so I'd only do a pair of severums then.. and uarus would require a higher temp, one of the reasons I decided not to go with them, as well as their high price tag in my vicinity)

CA:

EBJD
Firemouths
Texas cichlid (luck of the draw.... could be a terrorist or a respectively mellow fellow)
Some kind of biotope catfish, don't know of any in CA though

I think a central american strict biotope would be really neat. One thing I like in my tank is the rectangular flower pot I've employed... it has designs along the sides which make it look like sunken mayan pottery or even ruins. Not in the tacky way at all too. I hate things like little castles and bubbling treasure chests and was worried the designs would look fake but I feel it adds a nice element to the tank.

I especially love texas cichlids. They are known to be viciously aggressive, but I've also known some mellow enough to habitate with oscars and green terrors.

 

[VirgoWolf]

Well I liked the idea of the dwarf Pike, but I keep asking hubby and he always says he doesn't like them enough to have one.

Yeah, I am thinking I might even just keep it simple and make maiting pairs for the guys in the 220. You know, like get a female oscar and female dempsey and such. I was interested in breeding, but I know I can't throw a female in that tank without causing some major problems, but I could always split them up and pick pairs for a breeding tank? Would that work with these guys or am I just barking up the wrong tree? Do they need to be kept together to pair up and breed?

 

[Big Vine]

I'll leave the salvini question to those with experience, but personally, since BV's got that one covered, I think you should do something else

Hehe...and remember, I'm just following several other MFTers who keep salvini---phOOey and straitjacket come to mind---so don't forget about those guys! lol

You could incorporate a salvini (or maybe even a few, if they're all female?) into a CA 'community' of sorts with other individual and/or small groups of fish such as JD, cons, firemouth...

Striking a proper balance between males and females of the various species would be the trickier part, but I know it can be done.

Sounds like you're more intent on breeding though, right?
BV

 

[VirgoWolf]

For SA...

2 oscars
BGK
Pleco
Raphael catfish
5 Severum or 5 Uaru (depends on if your pleco is a monster, growing 12 + inches... if so I'd only do a pair of severums then.. and uarus would require a higher temp, one of the reasons I decided not to go with them, as well as their high price tag in my vicinity)

Yeah, I got all excited when I saw you had a raphael, I have always loved them, second only to the redtail cats, which I can't do, so that would be great. I always figured they would be too small, but thinking about their armor, it woulden't be bad.

I thought about sevs, but I have only seen a couple that I liked, I am not too fond of the ones I can get my hands on. It's a possibility, but I'd have to find some nice ones to consider them. The Uarus, I love the juvis, but I don't think I want to dedicate that much tankspace to the adults, I'm not in love with them either.

Yeah, the plecos will be pretty big, both easily the size of a large Common pleco, that takes up alot of my space, but I love plecs.

CA:

EBJD
Firemouths
Texas cichlid (luck of the draw.... could be a terrorist or a respectively mellow fellow)
Some kind of biotope catfish, don't know of any in CA though

I think a central american strict biotope would be really neat. One thing I like in my tank is the rectangular flower pot I've employed... it has designs along the sides which make it look like sunken mayan pottery or even ruins. Not in the tacky way at all too. I hate things like little castles and bubbling treasure chests and was worried the designs would look fake but I feel it adds a nice element to the tank.

I especially love texas cichlids. They are known to be viciously aggressive, but I've also known some mellow enough to habitate with oscars and green terrors.

Definitly would like some kind of catfish in here, I love cats. The texas is nice, but it's not a must have, and with all the other options, I'd rather not take the gamble. I really like the CA's and have so many to choose from... Just kinda lost. I have a while though, the 150 won't be here for another month or two, and I might not stock it right away. I just want to make sure I get something I will really enjoy for a long time.

Big V, I would really love to be able to breed some of them, but my main goal is to make a suitable environment for them, make them happy, and have something I can enjoy for a long time.