CenterPiece Fish Ideas??

[joebrez]

Good Morning.

I have been looking for a Mid-swimming Centerpiece fish for my FW75.

Filtration, I have an Aquatop 3 Stage Canister (264GPH) and a Penguin 50 (200gph) for surface agitation. Additionally, I have a Marineland 400 Power-head in circulation mode (Aimed towards filter intake). So I think I can cover a pretty hefty BIO-Load.

My Current Stock:
· Dwarf Neon Gourami
· Dwarf Flame Gourami (The two have split the tank and leave each other alone)
· 3 Bolivian Rams
· 2 German Blue Rams
· 5 Silver Hatchet Fish
· 1 Candy Stripped Pleco
· 1 Black Khuli Loach
· 1 Mystery Snail

I’m very planted in a sand substrate with a nice amount of Mopani wood (5 “Med” pieces).
My numbers are very consistent w\ A-0, N2-0 and N-3 10ppm, with a neutral PH of 7.2. Hardness is always in the middle due to Lake Michigan water.

I have thought about a couple of Festivum or maybe a Blood Parrot, however I have heard that Parrots, like Severum, are the fish equivalent to a lawnmower and my plants would be toast. I know a common answer would be Angels, but haven’t had any luck with them with Tankmates. I know they like to be alone.

Ideas?

 

[Scottyhorse]

I personally would add a large school of tetras.

 

[Fishy Smell]

You have a centre peice of rams there already really. You could maybe add a small Angelfish if you want one cool new addition. Then add some decent size schoolers, congo tetras maybe. And i would lose the mouse. I say a small Angel because they live better in a community if bought small. Don't get a Festivum, a Severum and definately not a parrot. Too big / aggressive for the rest of the tank. Get a black background as well.

Other ideas would be a pair of Keyholes, or a rainbow cichlid, you might get away with a firemouth but thats a bit more hit and miss, especially with Rams. Mines a pussycat though, but then again my female convict is mostly as well. I generally find avoiding pairs in cichlids avoids trouble, although Keyholes would even be fine as a pair.

 

[joebrez]

The mouse is for my daughter!! He stays!


Thanks for the ideas!!

 

[joebrez]

@fishy smell. You mentioned that Festivum are aggressive, I've never read that.

Did you have a bad experience ?

 

[Rivercats]

Angelfish do fine in a larger tank as long as you have at least 6. Aggression is then spread out and rarely is any one angel harassed. Currently I have 12 adult breeding angels in my 220g. Also one or two could easily be done. Your other fish are established and if you buy angel/s with a body size of a dime or nickel will be Juvies and you won't have issues with them and your other fish.

 

[joebrez]

6 angels?? I think 6 Angels almost max my capacity by themselves!!

 

[Rivercats]

Not really, not in a 75 gallon. Plus as they mature and you possibly get a pair or two you can easily rehome the odd fish out. Two pairs in a 75 with a couple tall plants like Amazon swords with the stock you have already isn't overstocked.

I have 12 adult angels, 25 rummynose tetras, 25 cardinal tetras, 12 threadfin rainbowfish, a powder blue DG, a red flame DG, a sunset gourami, 13 harliquen rasbora's, 3 whiptail cats, 25 cory cats, 1 longfin albino BNP, 18 oto cats and my bioload is fine in the 220g.

 

[Fishy Smell]

@fishy smell. You mentioned that Festivum are aggressive, I've never read that.

Did you have a bad experience ?

No, not had one. I was looking more at the size with those really.

I know what you mean with the mouse, at one point i had scooby doo and scrappy in one tank and spongebob in another, nightmare!

 

[Fishy Smell]

I've heard Angels are really best in 6's as they are a schooling fish. I would agree your tank is big enough if you just add them.

 

[azmodan]

A school of Congo tetras or snakeskin barbs would look terrific. Also maybe look into denison barbs? Never had them personally but I know they're popular in larger sized tanks.

 

[AaronW]

Maybe some rainbow fish? They are always fun!

 

[Kelseytingler]

I have 2 blood parrots in a planted tank and they don't bother my plants, but it does depend on the fish. Mine do great though. They're wonderful fish