Some help for my 125g

[haut92]

I have a 4 month old freshwater 125g that is going strong with:
6:congo tetras
3:redtailed loaches(would like to add a few more of these but they seem to keep fighting with eachother, probably need more hiding spots?)
3:Otto's that have no trouble keeping the whole tank clean
1:Clown pleco
1:Black angel (had three but they were immediately attacked by the congos and I lost 2 over the last 2 weeks:(

All fish are on the larger side of 1 to 2 and 1/2 inches long.

In the end I would like at least one blood parrot as my centerpiece.


So what I am looking for is some suggestions on what else I could add. I liked some black ruby barbs at my lfs but I wasn't sure if they would be too compatible. Other than that I'd love some suggestions to fill out my tank a bit more. I really hoped to have a black veil angel pair but it looks like my congos would prefer I had none. I was also thinking maybe a school of corys, but I havn't really found a species I really like yet.

Also, would it be better for me to get a male and female blood parrot or would it be better to stick with one? I'd like to add them asap so they can start growing but I'm worried they might attack anything smaller I added later.


Some of my tank details:

Standard 125g with dark sand/gravel mix and lightly planted with a few swords and anubi. 1 large piece of driftwood that spands the whole tank and an xp3 and an in tank submergible filter(for 40-75 gallons I think? Low light setup that is going to need more lights as soon as I have more money.

Any and all suggestions appreciated. Let me know what you would do:)

[Scrup]

ever looked into the laser cories?
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[Sarkazmo]

Add another 10 Otos for sure... at least. You're going to have to stay away from fin nippers with that angel in there. He's probably going to go the way of the other two with the Congo's. A pair of German Blue Rams would be nice for bottom dwellers. A school of silver or marbled Hatchet Fish would be great for the surface. Maybe a pair of Dwarf Flag Cichlid or a couple of the more peaceful Apistogrammas...

Definitely you should add in a school of Cory cats, they're just wonderful little fish, very entertaining to watch.

You need something for mid-water....... I just got these Von Rio Orange Tetras that are really nice, I don't know if they'll go after the Angel's fins though. Here's a pic of 'em.

Sark

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[haut92]

I was never really a fan of hatchets and I am afraid I would not be able to adequately feed 10 more ottos, I am not planning to supplement them with much more than the occasional algae wafer.


No on knows anything about the black ruby barbs? I think they would work well in my tank if they are compatible.

[Garrett]

The Ottos are pretty easy to supplement feed without any real expense-pick up a cucumber or something once a week at the grocery store, blanch a few slices a couple days a week and toss 'em in the tank. Little buggers will take care of the rest.

I'd be wary with the congos in the tank of slower moving or placid fish.

Not sure if it carries through with loaches, but in some species of fish like that adding a few more can spread out the aggression and relax everyone a bit. I'd definitely recommend more cover, it seems like you're pretty sparse in the tank. Breaking up line of sight may give the angel some relief.

[haut92]

So I've done some looking around and am interested in boeseman rainbows, firemouths and maybe GBR's. I still like blood parrots a lot though.


How would any of these fish do in my current situation? How many of each could I/would you do, maybe a pair of each and 4+ bows to finish the tank or would any of them create any conflicts?

[MCHRKiller]

I would leave the firemouths and BPs out of the mix with the otos, firemouths like most CAs would have no problem picking a little oto to death. I would also think about increasing your filtration a bit either by adding a 2nd XP3(which IMO is perfect filtration for a 125G) or at the very minimum an Aquaclear 500. Live plants need good water circulation, and the additional bioload you plan to add could use the extra filtration.

Personally Id probably leave the angel alone, they get *very* pet like and impressive when housed as a single fish. I would aslo bump your congo shoal up to atleast 12-15 members you will see that they keep more to themselves in the higher numbers. I would also add to your red tailed loach numbers, a group of 5-6 would be very impressive and with additional hiding places would also tone down the squabbling a bit as it would be dispersed among more members. As your tank becomes more and more planted do add more otos atleast to about 6-8 they shouldnt have much trouble finding food with the occasional algae wafer in a moderately planted tank. Rainbows would do well with the fish that you have, a shoal of 8-10 boesmanis would be very impressive.

[haut92]

I would leave the firemouths and BPs out of the mix with the otos, firemouths like most CAs would have no problem picking a little oto to death. I would also think about increasing your filtration a bit either by adding a 2nd XP3(which IMO is perfect filtration for a 125G) or at the very minimum an Aquaclear 500. Live plants need good water circulation, and the additional bioload you plan to add could use the extra filtration.

Personally Id probably leave the angel alone, they get *very* pet like and impressive when housed as a single fish. I would aslo bump your congo shoal up to atleast 12-15 members you will see that they keep more to themselves in the higher numbers. I would also add to your red tailed loach numbers, a group of 5-6 would be very impressive and with additional hiding places would also tone down the squabbling a bit as it would be dispersed among more members. As your tank becomes more and more planted do add more otos atleast to about 6-8 they shouldnt have much trouble finding food with the occasional algae wafer in a moderately planted tank. Rainbows would do well with the fish that you have, a shoal of 8-10 boesmanis would be very impressive.


THANKS.


I really like the rainbows and the parrots. A school of rainbows, bumping the number of the schools I have, and one blood parrot would complete my tank I think. Need to work on the plants and hiding spots first, any good suggestions for something made out of all the extra floor tile I have?

[Garrett]

Floor tile might be a bit iffy, if only because I'd be worried about it cracking and hurting the loaches as they dig around. You might be better off getting a few pieces of driftwood-my buddy's loaches absolutely love the stuff, wouldn't even get out of the stuff when we were moving it between tanks. They just sort of hung on for the ride. Maybe get some fish-safe epoxy and build some sort of cave? Wouldn't look natural, but that doesn't bother some people.

Blood Parrots are cool, I know they're not generally aggressive. I've seen some that have to be dyed, though, I'd stay away from those for obvious reasons.

Again, pack out the Ottos when the tank's got some more foliage. They seem to get along better in groups and the addition they make to your bioload is negligible. I'm going to expand my pair to a group of 5 or 6 after I knock out an annoying ich outbreak.

[haut92]

I've already got an around 20 lb 5 foot long piece of driftwood in there that they love. I am looking for things to put on the sides and back of the tank, then once the plants fill in I should be set.


My lfs has more dyed blood parrots than undyed. I would probably find a better store when I by them.


What order would you suggest adding the fish?

[Garrett]

It really depends on what you decide on getting. I'd pad out the shoals first, and when you introduce the blood parrot, rearrange the tank a bit so the angel isn't territorial. It probably won't be a problem, given the size of tank you've got, but angels are weird buggers. I'd do the ottos last after you get more plants in there, though, make sure there's enough biomass in there to support them without too much attention.