Stocking a New World Mixed Tank....

[Mellis67]

Hi all I'm back to the hobby after about 10+ years of being away so please be gentle... I am thinking about my stocking for a Mixed New World tank and I want to make sure I'm not setting myself up for disaster... This is an idea about what I would like my tank to have in it...Tank stats are as follows:

40 gallon tank
AquaClear 70 HOB Filter 300 gallon per hour
300W Heater
Has a rock cave, 3 good sized pieces of bogwood and a good deal of plants although I wouldn't say it is heavily planted.

2 Firemouth...(a pair)
2 Bristlenose Plecs
2 Cryptoheros nanoluteus (Yellow Convict)
6 Tiger Barbs... (I know they don't really belong but I need a dither fish that will be able to stand up for itself... Any other "dither" suggestions are appreciated)


Thanks for your help.. I just want to make sure the pros don't think I'm setting myself up for disaster...

[chc]

Sounds like a fun tank!

As for other dithers, livebearers (mollies, swords, etc.) would be more characterisitic of a Central American ecosystem. Also, they tend to stay near the surface of the water which allows more room for the cichlids. You can actually find some cool wild-type livebearers for good prices online (some of the members here sell them from time to time too).

If you go with the FM's and the nanos, I'd put caves or other cover at opposite ends of the tank to spread out the territories. Also, some bunchy plants at the surface and throughout the tank will further break up the sight lines. The "out of sight, out of mind" rule often works well with cichlids!

Depending on the specific room temperatures in your tank room, you probably won't need a 300w heater. I always shoot for something that cannot cook my fish should the thermostat fail. There's no need to keep your temps any warmer than the high 70's, so a much smaller heater may work for you. It's different in each situation though. I've had many tanks that require no heater at all -- the warmth from the circulation pumps, room temperature, and sun exposure is often plenty. Test it out before investing in a large heater...

[Mikeinco]

Sounds like a fun tank!

As for other dithers, livebearers (mollies, swords, etc.) would be more characterisitic of a Central American ecosystem. Also, they tend to stay near the surface of the water which allows more room for the cichlids. You can actually find some cool wild-type livebearers for good prices online (some of the members here sell them from time to time too).

If you go with the FM's and the nanos, I'd put caves or other cover at opposite ends of the tank to spread out the territories. Also, some bunchy plants at the surface and throughout the tank will further break up the sight lines. The "out of sight, out of mind" rule often works well with cichlids!

Depending on the specific room temperatures in your tank room, you probably won't need a 300w heater. I always shoot for something that cannot cook my fish should the thermostat fail. There's no need to keep your temps any warmer than the high 70's, so a much smaller heater may work for you. It's different in each situation though. I've had many tanks that require no heater at all -- the warmth from the circulation pumps, room temperature, and sun exposure is often plenty. Test it out before investing in a large heater...

Sounds good to me Chris but I would think the Mollies and Swords would perish. I would probably get a group of 3 loaches but the tiger barbs would probably work too.

[Mellis67]

Ok so I've heard that the best way to get a pair would be to have 6 of the species. I'd prefer for them to make their own pair. So I'd like to get 6 firemouths to start the process at what length would they begin to pair off and what should I be looking for? I'll then sell or give away the remaining 4 (I don't think 2 pairs of firemouths would be a good idea in a 40 gallon). About the nanos... Should I try for a pair of those as well? When should they be added? Should I just order a male and a female or let them pair themselves? Sorry for the amount of questions I just want to do this the right way...

[tiedyeman]

I wish you the best of luck. I tried the same thing with FM and the most dominant one killed all the others. If it was me I would def not put nannos in with FM. I've never had or seen a FM that wasn't extremely aggressive--murderously aggressive.

[Mikeinco]

Ok so I've heard that the best way to get a pair would be to have 6 of the species. I'd prefer for them to make their own pair. So I'd like to get 6 firemouths to start the process at what length would they begin to pair off and what should I be looking for? I'll then sell or give away the remaining 4 (I don't think 2 pairs of firemouths would be a good idea in a 40 gallon). About the nanos... Should I try for a pair of those as well? When should they be added? Should I just order a male and a female or let them pair themselves? Sorry for the amount of questions I just want to do this the right way...

Thats going to be the problem with a tank that size. I would probably get them really small and get several of each and remove the extras once you figure out pairs. Thats really the only way you can get the stock you want and i wouldn't try getting larger fish and hoping that they will pair off because it doesn't usually work out that way.

[jgentry]

Sounds like a cool tank. Personally I would probably go with a single firemouth and a pair of nano's. While a 40g is a nice tank size it just doesn't suite well for multiple pairs. A nice firemouth with a pair of nano's and some dithers would make a nice display.

[Mellis67]

Well I got my firemouths. 6 of them... Lets hope they adjust and don't decide to kill each other.. I can definitely see which one is the alpha male... There is some chasing but no real violence so far. They are all about 1.5" so I imagine it'll be some time until they pair off..

[chc]

Sounds good to me Chris but I would think the Mollies and Swords would perish. I would probably get a group of 3 loaches but the tiger barbs would probably work too.

Yes, some would certainly get knocked off (fry at least from time to time), but you'd be surprised how well the larger livebearers can do with cichlids.

If you introduce large mollies or swords first (perhaps to cycle the tank) and then young FM's or Nanos I wouldn't expect too much trouble.

I even have the comparatively smaller mosquito fish living in a tank full of large predators. Of course, they have lots of floating plants which allow them to outbreed any predation.

[Mellis67]

That is a good thought. I'd rather not do the barbs for the obvious reason.... They don't belong... Mollies on the other hand could be very nice as well as provide an occasional treat to my cichlids in the form of fry. I'm sure some will make it because I do have alot of floating plants..

[Mellis67]

Ok.. I may have to rethink my arrangement here... I've been watching the 6 firemouths and their behavior these past 24 hours. The dominant fish has claimed one half of the tank already and keeps the others out of " his" area pretty well. The other 5 are herded together in their half and seem ok with each other so far although from time to time they will chase each other. Whenever they wander they get promptly herded back to their side. I think I may go with J. D.'s advice and go with one firemouth and a pair of C. Nanoleutus. More and more I realize 2 pairs won't make it in my tank. I'd much rather have a breeding pair of the nanos. Once I return/rehome the ones I have. I would imagine I would now get the 6 nanos and let them pair off.. I know the remaining firemouth will still have his side of the tank but I'm thinking he'll be more tolerant of another species. Btw he doesn't even look twice at the dither fish and they roam the whole tank without a problem... Any thoughts or input please let me know...

[pitdogg2]

I would not put 2 BN pleco's too much waste for the others unless you plan on water changes every other day. I use one in a 75gal. to keep all the wood clean and it's a bare bottom tank, so the amount of pleco poop is amazing it's like a 2:1 pleco poop to 6 rotkeil severums and 10 red-eyed tetra's
my .02

[Mellis67]

I appreciate that... I'm honestly not sold on the places either it just seems everyone is trying to sell me on them... The only things I really want are the C. Nanoleutus and the T. Meeki 2 of each or I'm thing just one Meeki. Add some fitters and I'll have a very interesting tank IMHO.