Hello everyone I'm helping my step dad with his new 125 gallon fish tank (by that he left the design and planning all to me) we've decided to go with either an African or Amazon fish theme, the tank will be planted but we're not going to be so in depth as to get native plants. I've been doing my own research but I'm hoping to hear others thoughts on this, the tank is 125 gallons we'de like as diverse a community as possible with as many of each species as possible. Like I said we're either looking for an African theme or an Amazon theme. If anyone can provide there thoughts on the matter I'de greatly appreciate it.
From what I've been looking up I was going to recommend something along the lines of
*4-5 angel fish
*2-3 discus fish
*A large school of varying tetra species maybe 15-20?
*2-4 blue rams
*A small school of corydoras catfish 7-9 or so
*He wants to get a nice looking and cool plexiglass one that grows kinda big (I don't know any native species other than bristle nose, which is small) suggestions?
*6-8 dwarf suckermouth catfish
*He also would like a species of shrimp but I'm unaware of any specific species though.
*And maybe a single ghost knife fish
*If there's small enough species of ray that would be super cool also
That's my Amazon themed idea for the most part please let me no too much? Can add more? If so what? As for African I've yet to do much research on what that could be when I come up with some ideas I'll post my thoughts.
Haha, if you want to keep angels, discus and black ghosts in a tank with shrimp consider them (the shrimp) as expensive live food.
If you plan to keep all these species in the tank tank together I recommend looking at a 500g plus tank.
Black ghost can grow 2ft long and require large tanks to navigate in, often wide. And a black ghost knife will go through most tetras, cories and other small species around 3-4 inches in length and under.
Rays also require a large tank, min for most freshwater rays are 6ft x 3ft x 2ft (L x w x h). Remember rays have a large surface area, rather sensitive and costly to maintain. You need great filtration and frequent water changes to ensure that the water condition is on point, if not the ray will suffer. Oh, and most (if not all) freshwater rays from the amazon have a disk width of 1.5ft-2ft for the males and up to 3ft for the females. That means that even in the "bare minimum" tank no decor should be present.
I also don't know your experience with fish, but discus can be quite sensitive. Unless you're familiar with the more demanding fishes I'd suggest holding off from discus. However if you have your heart set in getting discus; get adults. They often a lot more accepting of water conditions compared to the younger ones, have attained their max size - so you know if they have defects - and easier for you to care for, as the younger ones require daily/frequent water changes to reduce stunting. That and the young ones seem to do better in "bare" tanks to reduce waste. Remember if buying adults they will cost more - if you don't like the price, then don't get them. The price is the tip of the iceberg - and to get them in shoals of 5 or more, to reduce aggression. A proven pair may work, but they may be more recluse. A trio will leave a fish as the outsider where he is likely to be picked on. 5 or more reduces this chance that one fish is singled out. Oh, and discus require warmer water than most tropical fishes... Your looking at keeping them around 82F or above, which many fish don't like. Like you can tell, discus aren't cheap. Plus many often buy RODI units to ensure pure water - and a constant water quality - as well as medications to reduce internal worms.
Plus suckermouth catfish have the habit of sucking off the slime coat of fish like the angels and discus... Its not normally reccomended to keep them (suckers and flat bodied) fish together as it has the potential to not work out. Oh, and theres a common belief that angels and discus can pass diseases to each other. I personally don't think it true but I'd recommend quarantining all fishes to ensure that they are healthy!
I'd recommend:
- 5-7 angels or discus (angels are easier to care for and IMO look far better than any discus)
- 15-20 tetras (rummynoses are my fav, they school tightly together plus they have a great but neutral markings that contrast angels/discus well... cardinals are another great choice)
- 10 cories (sterbai are amazing and appreciate the warmer water that discus require)
- 2 pairs of dwarf cichlids (rams come to mind, if cockatoo cichlid get one male and a few females)
If you want it to look as "natural" as possible, I recommend cutting the stocking list to 3 - 4 species.
An understocked tank often looks far better than a tank crammed with bodies!
I do think you could do a bristlenose pleco of some sort, however. It might be a risk but it is a very slight risk from the research that I've done (with that species in particular).
For the "dwarf suckermouth catfish," do you mean a pleco or otos?
African tank - if you don't want cichlids you could do what I am sort of transitioning into: Leopard ctenopoma, rope fish, bichir, brown knife, butterfly fish, congo tetras (or any other large-bodied tetras that you like)
Or you could do fewer fish but larger cichlids. Is your water hard, soft, neutral....?
Thanks a lot this all real great stuff to take into consideration, if anyone else has good ideas please keep them coming!
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