Large SA Tank

[HFRCampbell]

270 gallons. 6ft L 3ft W and 2ft T.
Im using a white sand substrate. it going to be planted i dont know what plants yet but i want to go all SA trying to make this as biotopeish as possible.
So for the fish, im derfinitly going w 10 or so bolivian Rams, but i need a species of appistos to go with them. Also a small group of geophagus are going to be in there probably around 6 of them. Whats some other fish that would go good with the previously listed fish.
10 Bolivian Rams
8 Appistos ??
6 Geophagus Altifrons
2 Severums
6 Satanoperca Mapiritensis
10 Cory Cats
1 Gold Nugget Pleco

Whats a fish for uper strana?:wink:

 

[Alex.]

Hatchetfish are top dwellers.

I'd recommend a large colourful shoal too. Cardinals maybe?

 

[freshwaterfishfan]

You can never got wrong with Dicrossus filamentosa (or maculatus if you can find enough).
Steve

 

[chris1932]

I agree with hatchets but you need to make sure there isnt an inch of space in the hood or you will find them dryed up on the floor in short order.

Chris

 

[HFRCampbell]

okay well what about a appisto species? and also a breeder that i could get these from, im going tro buy the dithers and such from my LFS, but i want the prize fish, bolivians and appisto, to be good quality and im willing to pay about 8 or so a fish.

 

[chris1932]

PM me or check my list, where are you from?

Chris

 

[Anubias Design]

top shoalers, Apistos and Plants

How about a school of Hemiodus? They don't jump as readily as the hatchets and they're larger, so they'd look really good in a tank that size. Another one to consider would be a Chalceus.

As far as Apistos, it's more a question of finding one whose looks you like. Since you're going to add Bolivian rams, you might want to go with an Apisto that has a more elongated body shape such as one of the agassizii so that you get some contrast there.

The plants will be tough with the Geos as they tend to nibble softer leaved species and to uproot larger specimen plants. I'd suggest fudging the biotope on the plants and using Anubias and Java fern, which can be attached to rocks and/or driftwood and are therefore not in much danger of being uprooted and have tough leaves so they're usually not eaten. Other good choices would be smaller Nymphaea species and any of the Aponogetons. If you really want appropriate plants, I'd recommend the various Echinodorus but would suggest planting them in small pots and covering the top of the pot with rocks that the Geos can't move in order to help keep them rooted.
Mark

 

[chris1932]

Good advice as always from Mark. It would need to be a pretty big apisto because after awhile the Geos are going to get big enough to eat small fish.

 

[Anubias Design]

Some of Chris' double red agassizi would be good. They get huge!
Mark