Stocking a 66 gallon

[GT3050]

I think I will be getting a 66 gallon tank (48x16x20), but I'm not really sure what to stock it with. I have a few options in mind and was wondering which would be best. If you have anything to add or take out from each suggestion let me know.

1) 1 Green Terror, 1 Jack Dempsey, 1 Convict+ a school of Silver Dollars or Rosie Barbs
2) Oscar Tank (would 2 be ok, or should I stick with 1), if I can only get one then I might add a couple Blue Acaras.
3) Oscar, Green Terror
4) Single Jag
5) Single Midas/Red Devil

What would be the best choice. If you have any suggestion to my list please tell me, or if you have another option please let me know. Thanks in advance!

[predatorcichlid]

2 oscars would not work. That leaves less then 30 gal. per oscar, not to mention the bio load would be too high. A single female jag would work but a male would be pushing it. The GT and dempesy are compatible temperment wise but there optimum water perferance differ. The GT is a SA cichlid that perfers softer acid water with a Ph between 6.4 and 6.9. The dempesy is a CA cichlid that likes harder water with some mineral content and a Ph between 7.2 and 7.8. Convicts seem to like anything as long as you keep them wet. I had a pair bred in the back of my toilet.:) In the long run the convict may run into problems if the the GT and dempesy are both males and reach twice his size. I would go with either a breeding pair of GT's (if you like them) or a dempsey and convict with a small/medium sized bottom feeder. Or a single oscar with excellent filtration and a good water maintaince.

[dbcb314]

if it were me (but im no cichlid master like ol' dude) i would do option number 1 but instead of the dithers, i would put some sort of bottom feeder. but the convict may have problems though. i dont know what to put there instead though.

[GT3050]

Well, first of all, a 66 gallon provides 33 gallons per oscar, not "less than 30 gal. per oscar". And also if you can keep 2 oscars in a 75 gallon (48x18x20) it should be ok to keep them in a 66 (48x16x20), the 75 is only 2 inches deeper.

[dbcb314]

but when you add gravel and plants and rocks, there is less than 30 gal per oscar. that two inches is 9gal differences. so yes, it makes a difference

[ROLLIN]

Originally posted by GT3050
I think I will be getting a 66 gallon tank (48x16x20), but I'm not really sure what to stock it with. I have a few options in mind and was wondering which would be best. If you have anything to add or take out from each suggestion let me know.

1) 1 Green Terror, 1 Jack Dempsey, 1 Convict+ a school of Silver Dollars or Rosie Barbs
2) Oscar Tank (would 2 be ok, or should I stick with 1), if I can only get one then I might add a couple Blue Acaras.
3) Oscar, Green Terror
4) Single Jag
5) Single Midas/Red Devil

What would be the best choice. If you have any suggestion to my list please tell me, or if you have another option please let me know. Thanks in advance!


Out of those choices, I would probably go with 1. The school of silver dollars might be pushing it, Id go for something slimmer. In my 66g I have a jack dempsey, a blue gourami, and a pleco. I might add 3 more blue gouramis (all female, the one I have now is female too), take the pleco out and put my lace cat in, and maybe add something else.

[dbcb314]

ROLLIN,

a jd with gourami's are you nuts?! im surprise there not already dead. how long have you had it like this? does this work? if it does, i might have an idea for my tank. seems nuts though

[ROLLIN]

Originally posted by dbcb314
ROLLIN,

a jd with gourami's are you nuts?! im surprise there not already dead. how long have you had it like this? does this work? if it does, i might have an idea for my tank. seems nuts though


I have had them together for almost a year. Once I moved the gourami to another tank, I dont remember why though (not because of aggression from the jack dempsey, because there wasnt any, and still isnt), but she had to get moved back in with the dempsey because she terrorized my loaches. Yes this works (for me, it might not for you, all fish are different), I have never seen a jack dempsey as docile as mine.

[dbcb314]

huh thats wierd