Got a new tank, need idea's

[GDominy]

Ok, I just picked up a 105 Gallon corner tank (its not a bowfront, its a 5 sided tank). Its a beast, with the long sides measuring 30" x 30" x 32" tall. I want to house my large pleco in here, but that leaves a lot of room for something "interesting".... (I'm willing to re-home the pleco if the "interesting" fish is really cool)

I figured now would be a good time to think about some of the large cichlids with real personality. I've kept oscars before, and loved them, but I think I want to try something different.

Can you guys offer some suggestions? I don't have too much experience with larger cichlids so I'm not really sure where to begin.

I'm hoping to get 1 or 2 fish to share this tank (or more, if the space allows it, or for smaller cichlids). I'm looking for interesting behavior, colour or appearance is secondary.

[DarthV]

Hrmmm the larger fish with personality would have a hard living in a short tank like that. How about a pair of Salvini ?

[GDominy]

Yeah I was a bit concerned about that myself, so I know most of the really large beasts are out. Unfortunately though my 6 foot tanks are reserved for my always growing loach collection.

Salvani's look pretty interesting, definately a contender :-)

[Deb2]

Green Terror? You could also put in something else. Green terrors have lots of personality and aren't as aggressive as some of the others (usually). Maybe green terror and a couple of severums.

[Tightdog1]

2 words,

GOLDEN JAGUAR.
or just a normal jaguar

check them out here:
http://www.aquamojo.com/managuense.html (aquamojo.com/managuense.html)

blue acaras are very nice too i got 6 of them and i love them, they have such nice colors. esp the iridescent blues.

[cichlidgirl57]

What about some firemouths or a frontosa? :rolleyes:

[DarthV]

I think most of the posts are missing the point that his tank is an odd shape for a 105gal. I guess you could cramp a 12" long fish in there...and it might do well...but you could get 2-3 6-8" fish in there and have some nice action going on.

[GDominy]

Originally posted by DarthV
I think most of the posts are missing the point that his tank is an odd shape for a 105gal. I guess you could cramp a 12" long fish in there...and it might do well...but you could get 2-3 6-8" fish in there and have some nice action going on.

Exactly! I was thinking about a pair of firemouths maybe? They stay smaller, and maybe I could add something else in that size range.

[Zack]

What about some dwarf cichlids?? rams and apistogramas. Are you planning on planting it?? If so a shool of 10-15 cories,3 rams,3 apistogramas of your choice, and 15 neon or cardinal tetras would be awesome.

[GDominy]

I already have a tank full of apsito's and rams :-) Thats my 90 gallon, its a 3 x 2 x 2 foot tank. I also house Angefish in there with Glow light tetra's and Lemon Tetra's. Here is a picture of it from 2 months ago. The plants are at least 3 times this size now.

http://aquafiend.plantedtank.net/images/Apr1203/90_sm.jpg


I was hoiping for something a little bigger for this tank, but many fewer fish, like 2-3 specimins.

[optix]

There is absolutly positively no way a jag would fit in there comfortably. Male or female. My pick goes with a pair of salvini's or a single saum (green terror)


EDIT: actually after some thought I rule out the saum idea too. I'd go with pair of salvini, firemouths, blue acaras, or my personal small cichlid fave cons :)

[GDominy]

Salvini's are looking very cool, the more I read the more I like! What else can they be housed with? I'm also starting to like firemouths from what Ive been reading. Can they be housed together or is this one of those hit and miss combinations?

[optix]

salvinis are those guys I keep my trust at a minimum with. They are ambush predators and while some may be tame, you will for sure come across some highly aggressive ones that will make you think they were picked on by a jag for far to long or something :p. If you get salvinis. I'd make that my only fish. They would live well with your pleco just not any other mid to top dwellers as almost anything no matter how quick can be picked off by these guys.

[GDominy]

What about a pair of firemouths and Cons?

[optix]

Firemouths and convicts could work as long as the cons aren't breeding. Breeding cons can be a pain for other fish sharing the same tank. Blue acaras and firemouths would do very well together. Maybe get two male cons and they should do fine with the firemouths or acaras

[DarthV]

I'd try a couple salvini and JDs and maybe a couple male cons. Start with younger/smaller fish and grow them out and see which ones you like the most and keep those.