Need stocking advice on 1st Cichlid tank

**Rocksor** · 02-20-2013, 03:46 AM

Originally Posted by 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

That's a lot of fish for a 90g. A severum can get to the size of an adult hand (around 6" in diameter and close to 2" thick) when given the right care.

**blsnelling** · 02-22-2013, 12:33 AM

Where could I purchase a Rotkeil? I've been searching, and coming up empty.

**Sandz** · 02-22-2013, 02:06 PM

I dont know where you are located but my favorite shop in teh USA is the wet spot. They are selling them for $4 at 1in. If you are ordering all your fish, they will be able to get you a great package deal and shipping will only happen once. Otherwise you could address a LFS to see if they will custom order one.

**blsnelling** · 02-23-2013, 10:35 PM

My first Cichlid! It's a beautiful little female Black Convict. She's only about 1 1/2" long.

Look at the beautiful colors in the fins!

**fishmommie** · 02-23-2013, 11:40 PM

The convict is beautiful but you've just changed your stocking completely :o)
Here's info from a profile I picked up when I googled:
Compatibility/Temperament: This is not a community fish. Best in a species tank; a pair may be kept in a 36-inch (40+ gallon) tank. In much larger tanks (over 6 feet) it may be kept with a few other Central American cichlids that are robust. This species is very aggressive and territorial, and when spawning becomes very violent to all other fish including much larger cichlids.
Read more: http://www.tropicalfishkeeping.com/p...#ixzz2LlwwFBcf

Just thought I'd share that with you as I don't think you can now stock with any of the fish you were thinking about :o(

I'm also a bit confused. I thought you had just begun a fishless cycle ... did you change your mind and decide to cycle with fish?

**blsnelling** · 02-24-2013, 01:49 AM

This fish is not in the new tank. I will be starting my fishless cycle probably Monday. I didn't have a chance to pick up my ammonia yet. Maybe I'll be taking this guy back. I saw those beautiful colors and couldn't help myself, lol.