90gal need ideas

[JayD976]

If you saw other post you know my 6-7yr old Oscar Gus died all of a sudden. So now I need ideas for my 90gal. If eel bad getting another Oscar so soon since Gus was my buddy personality of a dog. So I need ideas should I make it a nice large community tank, beta other Oscar and maybe some smaller new world chiclids, convert to saltwater and break down my 29gal FOWLR tank...

[donsfish]

Obviously lots of possibilities for that tank...considering the fresh loss take your time and mull it over as to what you really want to do.

[JayD976]

Yeah itsdef gonna be some time. Until then I'll keep the tank running to keep the bio-load alive plus there's still the Pleco and now dozens of snails that hitch hiked on the plants I bought.

[JohnL]

Seeing as you just lost your O I would give it a little time before you decide. I also have to say that there aren't many fish that are more entertaining than a baby O.

[OinKY]

Hard to replace a good O,so take your time.

You have lots of good ideas so mull them over. Should your heart not be in another O,there are a few other cichlids that have similar personality and make good "wet pets".

[JayD976]

I just feel bad getting another O right away. I dont want to just "replace" him cause like any other pet they are not replaceable.

But feel free everyone to start putting up some stocking ideas for a community tank, possibly O tank, and saltwater. And I'll kinda of see what I lean towards.

[JayD976]

For a community tank what would be a good center piece forthe tank.

[JohnL]

A pair of severums might be nice.

[JayD976]

A pair of severums might be nice.

Wouldn't they potentially eat ome of the smaller fish

[OinKY]

Any cichlid will potentially eat a smaller (of right size) fish. Even herbivores. You just have to stock with that in mind.
There are always Geos,Gymnogeos,various Aequidens,Krobia,Guinacara,and Biotodoma...all genus that are a little less likely to snack on tank mates. Will mix and match pretty well too.

[JayD976]

So far I'm thinking of possibly a firemouth cichlid or maybe severum. With suitable community fish and bottom dwellers. Also thinking of removing the gravel and adding black sand.

[JayD976]

so far i think i want to add as my bottem dweller crew:
-small school of 8-12 cory cats specific species not sure
-raphael catfish
-my bristlenose pleco (thats already in there)

Mid level I'm thinking penguin tetras, rummynose tetras, or....

For something all level some kind of rainbow fish

Still missing that centerpiece fish..

[OinKY]

Given that your going with a lot of smaller tank mates,consider a smaller "non-typical" centerpiece.Something not thought of usually as the main attraction.
Acaras (mostly Aequidens and Krobia) are often chosen as smaller tank mates for larger cichlids,but should be fine larger tank mates for smaller residents.Same on some of the smaller Geophagus.
Another decent choice is Tahuantinsuyoa macantzatza.

Think of it as a "mini-GT" without the attitude. Just ask for the Inca Stone Fish.

[JayD976]

Given that your going with a lot of smaller tank mates,consider a smaller "non-typical" centerpiece.Something not thought of usually as the main attraction.
Acaras (mostly Aequidens and Krobia) are often chosen as smaller tank mates for larger cichlids,but should be fine larger tank mates for smaller residents.Same on some of the smaller Geophagus.
Another decent choice is Tahuantinsuyoa macantzatza.

Think of it as a "mini-GT" without the attitude. Just ask for the Inca Stone Fish.

Nice looking fish, hard to find? Don't think I've ever seen them around here before.

[OinKY]

Being up in a heavily populated area of the Northeast (lots of specialty shops and importers) should be fairly easy.
I'm stuck out in "cichlid limbo" and can get them with very little effort.