Need stocking advice on 1st Cichlid tank

[blsnelling]

My 14 year old daughter Anna, and myself, are setting up a new 90G tank. You can see our setup here, LINK. It's a 90G tank with an Eheim 2217 filter.

I would love to get your advice on stocking it. I love variety and lots of color. I've settled on CA/SA Cichlids in order to avoid the most aggressive Cichlids. I want to be able to mix in some schooling fish. Anyway, here's what I'm currently considering.

1 male Rotkeil Severum
1 male Golden Severum
1 male Blue Acara

3 Denisoni Barbs
3 Boesemani Rainbows
3 Congo Tetras
3 Silver Dollars
8 Juli Cories

[ameliaaahx]

Hi, and welcome to AC! I'm Angelology from the other forum. Did you see my post on there?

Other than that, the following link may interest you. It's a member on here's 90g tank journal and what you had in mind really reminded me of their tank -- maybe you'll find talking to her helpful. Mommie I hope you don't mind me linking your journal!
http://www.aquaticcommunity.com/aqua...ad.php?t=93939

[blsnelling]

Yes, I did. Thanks for the tip!

[madagascariensis]

I would replace the Julii cories with a bigger Cory species such as the emerald, banded or bronze Cory. Other than that, I would recommend picking only one species out of the denisonii barb, rainbow fish, and Congo tetras and doubling that species' numbers.

[Cermet]

I agree with madagascariensis - the schools are far too small and you need to reduce the species and increase the numbers that you decide to use. A 90 gal can handle at least fifteen corries on the bottom and they'll do far better in a bigger group. Corries like 'caves' or overhangs to hid in/under.

[talldutchie]

I would love to get your advice on stocking it. I love variety and lots of color. I've settled on CA/SA Cichlids in order to avoid the most aggressive Cichlids. I want to be able to mix in some schooling fish. Anyway, here's what I'm currently considering.

1 male Rotkeil Severum
1 male Golden Severum
1 male Blue Acara

3 Denisoni Barbs
3 Boesemani Rainbows
3 Congo Tetras
3 Silver Dollars
8 Juli Cories

I know I'm overly cautious and a light stocker but...

Avoiding agression and then two male severums? And a blue acara?

Those three and the silver dollars means a hefty amount of bigger fish already.

The denisoni really do best in lower temps than the rest and they love some flow. Those, the rainbows and the congos need bigger groups if they are going to be around big cichlids.

The gravel on your initial pictures didn't strike me as very cory friendly.

How hard is your water? If you're keen on cichlids have you considered shell dwellers?

[Honey Badger 1]

I stock my tanks lightly also and I could be wrong, but I don't think a 90g will give enough territory for two severums to claim. I would only get one sev, the acara, and one or two larger schools of the other fish you listed. The silver dollars will get to large to be comfortable with the other fish in a 90g so I would choose from the barbs, congos, and rainbows.

[fishmommie]

You've gotten some really good advice - and no Ameliaxx, I don't mind that you shared the link to my journal. I've learned a lot on this journey:o)
From what I've picked up, I'd not go with bosemani as a 4 foot tank is not quite long enough for them. they really love to scoot and would be cramped. I didn't get any for just that reason. Congos are a great choice - from my experience. I love mine. I'd also agree you need at least 6 - more would be better.
Silver Dollars - not so much. I tried 3 in my tank. it was a nightmare. They were so skittish, always ramming into the glass and the entire tank ended up in a panic. They went back to the store and I ended up treating town fins on 3 fish due to the total upheaval.
So far my 2 sevs are doing fine together - we'll see how that progresses as they reach maturity. A single angel does well with the sevs, so does my jurupari and the blood parrots - which are so much fun. I avoided the acra for aggression reason but have had no personal experience with them.
I have a lot of visual barriers in the tank to help curtail any aggression if it crops up but as it stands now, they all swim together during the day even though it's clear they've staked out night time territories.
Good luck and enjoy your tank. I know I really enjoy mine.

[blsnelling]

Fishmommie, I read your entire journal. Very interesting and informative. I love your tank and fish selection.

[Honey Badger 1]

When I give advice on stocking a tank I think about the adult size and temperament of the fish, not the juvenile fish we buy at the store. Keep in mind, Fishmommie's tank has only had fish in it for about 6-8 months, and her fish are not mature yet, so her fish are not yet showing their true aggression. They may continue to work, or they may not, time will tell, sometimes we luck out and fish don't live up to their reputation.