Aggressive Tank ideas

[ROB281]

Hola folks, long time no see

finally getting back into the aquarium game after a couple of years out, and am looking to make an aggressive tank. My last tank was 65 gallons, and I had a couple of small juvenile Oscars, and I have to say watching them dispose of feeders was something else, and I believe I'm hooked.

I have a 48x18x24, and was told it holds 87 gallons (seems odd to me), and am looking for ideas, I'm thinking an Oscar with some Severums to pretty it up a bit

love to hear everyone else's thoughts

[marauder_77868]

It actually works out to 90 gallons. Here's a real good place to start if you want some ideas to try something different and aggressive and make a difference at the some time. http://www.hillcountrycichlidclub.com/cares/

[stevenallenbarnard]

with oscars and sevs, are you looking to do an amazon tank, or are you open to any central americans too? also, what kind of filtration are you runnin? that can play a big part too.

[ROB281]

right now it has an old bio wheel hob, but it needs to be overhauled before the fish go in

I plan on running dual hob's probably get a 350b to compliment the existing one, I like constantly moving water, and have never been comfortable with just a single hob, I always feel like the water on the filter less side has got some bad stuff in it, and I feel there's nothing wrong with overkill

I may even add a powerhead or two

as far as fish go I'm willing to try something new, oscars are familiar to me which is why I was leaning that way

[Rico]

come by FG and pick up some Festaes(Red Terrors)

[ROB281]

would anything survive in the tank with a terror?, never had one so I have no clue

also what's the story on jack dempseys?

[Rico]

in a 90g you could keep a pair. while they are young you can have others but that wont be permanent. jack dempseys are less agg. if you are just looking for something to eat live foods you can go with a puffer. i like to stay away from feeders because sometimes they can carry diseases. i started out buy oscars, arowanas, clown knives, pbass, ect.. just to watch them eat but once i started reading online info i switched their diets.

[FrontosaurusRex]

alright..another Baytown guy!! If you're looking for aggression and beauty, I think you should go with Geos. There are a couple of guys on here that can give you specific names but the Geos I had were very aggressive and equally as beautiful. I saw a really cool looking albino Oscar at Fish Paradise the other day. He was platinum with orange eyes...really cool fish.

[Miles69]

two HOB are not going to be enough for two Oscars with friends.. Messy fish. I have 3 2217s running in a 110 with two oscars and still do weekly 30%water changes to control their mess.. Also with a short tank of 48" you might have more agression than you want..if you add another large tank mate.. They need room to get away and hide some times.. Just my 2 cents.

[marauder_77868]

Most Geophagus aren't that aggressive...so if you're looking for aggression and want to mix some in, choose wisely. Most, but not all Geophagines will be found in three genera...Geophagus, Gymnogeophagus, and Satanoperca. The aggression really varies. Also, not all of them get really large. It depends, I suppose, if you want larger fish as well.

[ROB281]

two HOB are not going to be enough for two Oscars with friends.. Messy fish. I have 3 2217s running in a 110 with two oscars and still do weekly 30%water changes to control their mess.. Also with a short tank of 48" you might have more agression than you want..if you add another large tank mate.. They need room to get away and hide some times.. Just my 2 cents.

thanks for the heads up, I didn't plan on two Oscars though, I know I don't have the room for that.

If I go with an Oscar I want tank mates that can hold their own with him

[Matt in Houston]

I would suggest you try something completely different than what youve done before, something unique. I find its the best way to learn more in a hands on fashion and gives you a chance to expand beyond your comfort zone and grow within the hobby. A tank that size is probably too small for what youre really looking for, which sounds like an aggressive big fish community tank....but its a good size for many other choices.

How about looking into some dwarf species, like dwarf pike cichlids or maybe appistogramma? Sandy, river rock bottom with a few twisty branches....maybe sink some ketapang leaves to the bottom for cover...dimly lit, with a dark purple painted background.... :)

[FrontosaurusRex]

Keep talking to Rico, he knows a TON about SA/CA cichlids and I'm sure he can point you in the right direction. (just dont let him sell you those overpriced fish at his new store...LOLOL)

[jisatsuguy]

how about a gangster asian set up? i saw one on monsterfishkeepers a while back that was sick... arowana and stingrays... it was crazy but its gonna have to be a big tank...
www.monsterfishkeepers.com peacock bass would be interesting...

[Matt in Houston]

how about a gangster asian set up? i saw one on monsterfishkeepers a while back that was sick... arowana and stingrays... it was crazy but its gonna have to be a big tank...
www.monsterfishkeepers.com peacock bass would be interesting...

The tank he is asking suggestions for is 48 x 18 x 24....none of those species would do well for the long run in a tank that size. As you mentioned, he would need a much bigger tank.