Suggestions for a 125 Gal Amazon River Biotope!

[TetraFreak]

Howdy Folks!

I'm looking at getting a 125 gal tank and had some ideas but want feedback & suggestions to what would look best.

I'm thinking on a community to semi-agressive setup based on an Amazon River biotope theme.

Looking at Discus as the featured critters.


Opinions? Suggestions?


Thanks! :dive2:

 

[themadblimper]

Discus aren't aggressive at all. If you want semi-aggressive, go with angelfish.
If you're going to go with discus, some cardinal or neon tetras would go wonderful with them.
Angelfish would work with other south american cichlids such as firemouths and keyhole cichlids(my favorite. VERY peacful.) A couple of festivums would work with angels too, as they are often found together in nature. (Quite literally.) Just be cautious about mixing angels w/discus. The angels can outcompete the discus for food.
whatever you decide to do, just dont mix tetras and angelfish.

 

[Hrafnkel]

Mixing tetras and angelfish is fine as long as the tetras aren't tiny like neons. If I were going with a 125 I'd probably get a pair or two of angels, a severum (perhaps), a big shoal of cories (probably pandas), and a decent sized school of rummynose or black skirt tetras.

 

[themadblimper]

Mixing tetras and angelfish is fine as long as the tetras aren't tiny like neons

Not in my experience... Angels will eat anything that can fit into their mouths. The only tetras I would keep with them are congos and maybe emporors. Problem is congos dont come from the amazon. And angels can be nasty when they're hungry.

 

[Gambusia]

Amazon leaf fish

 

[patoloco]

Your planned tank setup describes perfectly the exhibition tank in a LFS near my house.

It's a 125 gallon tank, with coarse sand as substrate. they have a large piece of driftwood in the middle, and the back of the tank is planted with giant valisneria and twisted valisneria. The foreground is covered witn some amazon sword-like plants that won't grow past 3 inches.

Fish populations is composed by a pair of discus (almost 5" tall), and a large school of cardinal tetras and black neon tetras.

The look is amazing. The water has always a yellowish tint on it, probably produced by the wood tannings. Don't know if this is bad, but the look is awesome.

Thay have it placed right next to a saltwater reef tank, which is 4 times more expensive (fish value and mainteinance), but not nearly as beatiful as the amazon biotype.

 

[patoloco]

Amazon leaf fish

Beatiful fish. If you go on these, don't even think of getting a neon or cardinal tetra. Quick snack.

 

[Gambusia]

Yes the leaf fish are predators.

But I think they cool

 

[Slappy*McFish]

I've kept full grown angels(6" long/8" tall) with grown neons(1-1.25") without problem. Pretty much any tetra larger than an inch and quarter would be safe.
Here's a list of tetras I've successfully kept with angels.
Neon, Cardinal, Rummy-nose, Serpae, Lemon, Black-widow, Head&Tail-light, Bleeding-heart, Diamond, Phantoms, Silver-tip, Red-eye, Emperor, Buenos Aires, and Pristella.

 

[patoloco]

I've heard angels are agressive, and I witnessed one trying to eat a big (1") feeder guppie with no success. However, the angel was constantly nipping on the guppie until the almighty clown knife came and ate her.

Some times, fish compatibility will depend not only on species profile, but on individual temperament and behavior, as well as avaialble room in the tank too.

Also, if the bigger fish is well fed, this is likely to reduce the chances of smaller fish becoming snack.

My two cents.