Question:I have 3 tanks right now and I would like to buy one super big tank to put all of the inhabitants in. Most of the fish are from central & south america. I would like to know what size tank I should save up for. I was thinking something around 180 to 225 gallons for them all to be happy.
Tank 1: 30 gallon, 2 pair of convict cichlids.
Tank 2: 36 gallon corner, 1 Huge Walking catfish (like 16 inches long by 9 inches around)
Tank 3: 55 Gallon, 1 half-grown Oscar, 1 Xingu Pike I (full grown at 7" x 3.5 around"
I'd like to stuff all of those guys in one huge tank. I would maybe like to get rid of the convicts & get 2 more walking catfish.
What size tank would be appropriate?
From what I read,
3 walking catfish can fit in a 55gal by themselves.
1 oscar should be in a 60 gallon by itself
The convicts fit perfect in opposite ends of the 30. They've been there about a year & a half & they're happy.
and the pike can fit just about anywhere... He's slender, not very flexible, & lazy.
Answers:
Personally, I would go with a long low style tank such as a 125 or 150. That should give the walking catfish enough room to move about without bothering the Oscar and since none of the fish really need much vertical space, why buy it and fill it?
MM
Go for the biggest tank you can afford. The bigger it is the happier the fish will be.
Convicts need a 55 gallon. I had one for my pair.
I can't help you with the others, but I'm experienced with convicts.
Bottom line,the largest you can afford(if floor loading isn't an issue). I would consider a 130 as the bare minimum for that group. Also,I'd consider leaving the convicts in as a source of live food for the Oscar and the Pike. If the Convicts are large enough to avoid being eaten their relentless spawning should provide the occasional treat for the predators.
Of the two choices I would go with the 225 gallon tank. It would give your fish the most room.
if you want them altogether then get a 250 gallon tank thats what i would suggest and black convicts normaly they like a 30 gallon to them self but yours seam fine so dont worry to much and an oscar those can go in an emtpy 20 gallon alone but not very comfortable so ya with a 250 gallon tank well planted and enough hiding places you should be good
Floor space is as much a consideration on how much room these guys will be happier in as the volume.
I would try to get something that is 24" front to back because of the length of some of those fish. The oscar would be more active with space to turn around.
I wouldn't go shorter than 5 feet, 6 feet long would be better. There would be less competition for personal space that way which leads to healthier fish.
the height, and thus the volume is more for our viewing pleasure than it is for the fish as long as they have some space over or under them.
If price and space isn't an issue, I'd go with the 225. After all, it's always easier to keep the water quality better with a bigger tank. :)
I would go with a 6ft tank as well. A 180g would be perfect IMO. Its the same length as a 125g, but a little deeper, and a little higher. I think the dimensions work out to be 6'x2'x2'. By these dimensions, none of your fish should outgrow the width of the tank, or have trouble turning around. This would be a great lifetime tank for them.
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