I want a gentile giant, recommendations?

[bigpoppax2]

I have some odd pairings already in my 120 gallon tank, and my wife won't let me get rid of her angels. I really don't want to either I've had them for 6 years. So they are full grown.

The problem is I also have two red hook silver dollars, and they are picking on my angels. I'm to the point the red hooks are going back.

What else is in the tank: 10" pleco, 5" pictus cat, (2) 5" Bala sharks, (2) full grown angel fish, and a 5" lima shovelnose cat.

I'd like one big fish, a gentle giant. So I can keep what I currently have. Any suggestions? Oscars are aggressive for the most part, but the size and color is about what I'm looking for?

What else is out there? Around the same size and with some color.

Thanks in advance for any and all advice.

[TomFromStLouis]

Is there anything more beautiful than a discus? Maybe you want to get more than just one though, and maybe you'll need to raise your temperature a bit, but it is a tough choice to beat. Pretty much any color you want these days....

[t_h_e_s_a_c_k]

I definately agree with tom. Discus fish are one of the most gorgeous fish around and aren't agressive. A pair of discus fish would be the best choice for what you're looking for.

[ryan]

angels school with discus also i believe...

ryan

[Dangerdoll]

I agree, Discus would be a mighty fine addition and they do get along with the Angels. Word of caution though and someone correct me if I'm wrong, I believe your safest bet in adding the Discus would be to make sure they are equal in size if not bigger than the Angels, otherwise, the Angels could pick on them. But they are definitely a thumbs up for me, may be a little expensive buying them bigger, but their cost is well worth the beauty they could add to the tank.

[mickey]

Festivums, Blue acaras or severums may be another alternative if you didn't want to go with discus, they are also less expensive.
Cheers.

[bigpoppax2]

Thanks for the replies everyone.

Correct me if I'm wrong, but discus ask for some very clean water and dimmer than normal lighting? I typically do a 20-30% water change every two weeks and have 2 Emperor 400 HOB's. I'm wondering if this would be sufficient for discus?

I had thought about a Blue Acara, but I was unsure of their temperment.

The only drawback for the discus would be the price, but I'll see what me lfs will do for me.

Any other opinions? I'm willing to go bigger, I did say giant.

[DeVitaf]

Giant gourami maybe?

http://tropical-fish.net/Gourami/giant_gourami.jpg

This isn't me :p. However, it does give you a good perspective on the size of the fish.
http://www.aquarticles.com/images/Indian%20Aq%20Stores/m03%20G%20Gourami%20Ma-600..jpg

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Giant Gourami
Osphronemus gorami

Origin: Southeast Asia: probably limited to Sumatra, Borneo, Java, the Malay Peninsula, Thailand and Indochina (Mekong basin). - Found in medium to large rivers and stagnant water bodies including sluggish flowing canals

Temperament: Young fish may be aggressive in establishing territories, but grow more peaceful, as these are established. Excellent for community tanks with large fish. Will eat small fish.

Feeding: Easy to feed, will accept almost any food. Grows very quickly. Plants are an important addition to the tank. Quite hardy.

Temperature Range: 68-82°F.

pH: 6.4-8

dH range: 5.0 - 25.0

Adult Size: 24"

Sexing: The male has longer, extended anal and dorsal fins.

[cdawson]

you should just stay with what you've got, those are all pretty big fish already. Your shovelnose will be 15" when full grown, the pleco 18", the bala sharks 14". Unless you're upgrading to a bigger tank I wouldn't add any more fish to that tank.

[delmore]

Discus???

He'd have to:
* do massive water changes 3x per week
* feed live food
* and possibly an RO filter system.

That's a lot of work -- and money!

[bigpoppax2]

cdawson, I'm not doubting you on your sizes, I know my Balas will be large but the full grown size on the Lima is a lot bigger than anywhere else I've ever read.

I usually see 7-10" max for the Lima.

And the pleco is always hiding and under his driftwood, so he's not really taking up any swimming room.

This is why I just want one, decent sized fish.

I've kept SA cichlids, africans, and a amazon tank. I'm done with really big fish that get too big.

Keep the replies comming.

[KateA.]

I'd like to add more tank water to that notion of discus for your tank, sorry. I don't think they will like their other tankmates. The angels would be okay, but the balas and the other larger catfish would be too much. Discus are extremely shy. And then there is the water parameters, pH around 6.5 and a slightly higher temperature around 80 degrees. This might throw off the other fish. So, I'm not sure what that leaves, but we don't want them eaten or picking on the angels. Festivums are great fish and would do great with the angels, if you can find them large enough. I can't think of any other "show" fish that doesn't get huge and that will get along with the others.

[scott]

You had mentioned an Oscar. I think if you added a juvenile in the two inch category and it grew up with all of the fish bigger than it it would never bother anybody. I think an oscar would be fine, you might need more filtration though. Oscars are not outwardly aggressive, they are just hungry, this gives them a bad rap because they will eat smaller fish, but because of the angels body shape it will never be attacked and your other fish are two large/fast for the oscar to bother itself with. Just my two cents.

[nolemite]

Originally posted by bigpoppax2
cdawson, I'm not doubting you on your sizes, I know my Balas will be large but the full grown size on the Lima is a lot bigger than anywhere else I've ever read.

I usually see 7-10" max for the Lima.



Dawson is correct on the size of the Lima. I had one that grew to 12" in a 90. Gave it to a friend who specializes in true giant fish, and he put it in an 800g, where it got to have too big of an appetite and was moved to one of his XXXL tanks. Anyway, the fish has grown at least another 2-3" since he got it, and is right around the size that Dawson mentioned.

[goldfish freak]

I agree that discus would not be appropriate for your tank or water changing schedule.

How about a tinfoil barb? They can grow up to 10 inches or so and are not aggressive.

[AikidoGuy]

chocolate cichlids :cool:

[bigpoppax2]

Thanks to all that have replied, I went out last night and got a small tiger ocsar. He'll need to grow out a bit in my 30 before I introduce him into my 120. He's tiny, about 1.5" if that long.

What's the opinion on HITH with oscars, I've heard water quality, I've also heard vitamin deficiencies were the thought cause?

I'd say there are a lot of opinions on said topic, is there anyone who has read something concrete?

[scott]

Do a google on hole in the head. It appears there are two kinds, one is indeed linked to high nitrates and vitamin deficiency and the other is an infection by a protozoan from what I can tell. I have also read that it is caused by high nitrates and low vitamins and then ther protozoans take advantage of the weakened tissue and move in.

I think you will be happy with your choice! Good Luck!

Don't grow him to big before you introduce him or he might chase other fish around. IMHO a month would be a good grow time.

[cdawson]

Originally posted by bigpoppax2
And the pleco is always hiding and under his driftwood, so he's not really taking up any swimming room.


Plecos make a lot of waste especially 18 inch plecos with poo longer than their body.

[bigpoppax2]

Agreed on the poo. Espically when he gets a good handfull of alge tabs.

I forgot to mention my clown knife, but he's only about 6-7" right now and from what I've seen he's a real slow grower. LFS has one that's about 14" but he's also 12 years old.

That's my reason for a little reluctancy in throwing the oscar in the 120 right away. I'd say a month of growth time would be about right.