Hi all! I recently got a 150 Gal/681.9 litre tank. I was wanting to stock it with 12 Discus, 8 Angelfish, 1 Black Ghost Knife Fish, 1 Rainbow Shark, 2 Senegal Bichirs, and 1 Retro/Zaire Green Bichir. It will be planted with live plants and have houseplants with roots in the tank on top to help keep up with the nitrates. I have fluval fx4 250 gal canister filter. I have already done quite a bit of research on the species I want to get and I realize they can get big. I was wondering if this stocking is ok? Or should I decrease the number of angels/discus in the tank?
150 Gal Stocking Help
- Thread starter AllThingsPets
- Start date
Welcome to AC!
You're overstocking your tank by many times. Just 12 discus are too many, let alone the angels. Knifefish grow HUGE. I haven't kept bichirs because they are large predatory fish, interesting, but large!!
Do some more research!
You're overstocking your tank by many times. Just 12 discus are too many, let alone the angels. Knifefish grow HUGE. I haven't kept bichirs because they are large predatory fish, interesting, but large!!
Do some more research!
From my research, following the 1 discus per 10 gal rule, I could have about 15 discus. Following the same rule, I could have about 15 angels. Knife fish can grow 20 in, and require a minimum tank size of 100 gal. Senegal bichers can grow 16-20 in, and require a minimum tank size of 120 gal. Retro Bichirs can grow 12-16 in, and require a minimum tank size of 90 gal. So according to what I found, it would work out, but I might have to have a few less discus/angels, to get to 15 total. Is this not correct?
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Maybe your math work different than mine but 12 discus & 8 angels @ 10 gallons each = 200g at a minimum. Plus all the other large fish you list. & just in case your "research" didn't tell you, angels & discus often don't work well together. Good luck!
I agree that is to many fish .I dont know about fish that get as large as knife fish and Bichirs with that many fish, sometimes it is best to limit species. 150 gallon tank is very very nice!
Yes! You can have an amazing long term 150g tank, just not as you've planned it so far.
If your heart is set on discus, go all out for them with small compatible fish. Sterbai corydoras are classic companions, ambastia sidthimunki (dwarf chain loaches) might be OK instead, 12 of either. Cardinal tetras are also happy & pretty at discus temps, say 15.
You want to have an easy to maintain pretty tank, not every possible fish that will out grow or eat your "favorites". Discus require very clean water & mellow tankmates. Unless you buy adult or nearly adult discus skip most plants, substrate & "other fish" until they get very comfortable with your routine. Not all plants are happy at 80-82F discus temp but some are.
If you're tending toward angels or bichirs, they'll need different tankmates & considerations.
Keep in mind as mellow as discus or (separately) angels may seem, they are cichlids & when they pair up & want to breed all heck may break out. You'll need a plan when or if that happens. Breeding fish is a whole 'nother ballgame.
If your heart is set on discus, go all out for them with small compatible fish. Sterbai corydoras are classic companions, ambastia sidthimunki (dwarf chain loaches) might be OK instead, 12 of either. Cardinal tetras are also happy & pretty at discus temps, say 15.
You want to have an easy to maintain pretty tank, not every possible fish that will out grow or eat your "favorites". Discus require very clean water & mellow tankmates. Unless you buy adult or nearly adult discus skip most plants, substrate & "other fish" until they get very comfortable with your routine. Not all plants are happy at 80-82F discus temp but some are.
If you're tending toward angels or bichirs, they'll need different tankmates & considerations.
Keep in mind as mellow as discus or (separately) angels may seem, they are cichlids & when they pair up & want to breed all heck may break out. You'll need a plan when or if that happens. Breeding fish is a whole 'nother ballgame.
Start slow and work your way up. It's important to work your bio-load up anyways.
Side note: I would just keep discus on their own since they're so hard to keep... master just those fish first. Here is a pic of cool 150g discus tank I found couple weeks ago..
image source
Just try not to get too ahead of yourself. This is a slow battle with a huge reward!
Side note: I would just keep discus on their own since they're so hard to keep... master just those fish first. Here is a pic of cool 150g discus tank I found couple weeks ago..
image source
Just try not to get too ahead of yourself. This is a slow battle with a huge reward!
