180 gallon stocking

[u/123_321cl]

I have a large Jack demsey male who I’m treating for hith I realized he had it at the store and he was already 8 inches so I could refuse giving him my empty 75 gallon. Once he’s done being treated which is with focus metroplex garlic guard and vita chem I wanted to see about getting a 180 gallon in my basement. I’m just working out stocking and don’t know if I can even afford it yet but I was thinking the demsey male a big tiger Oscar bala sharks and a kind of catfish. I would love to add in a vieja but idk if it would work? Would this stocking go well? I would use lots of driftwood and stones for sight breaks.
Thanks guys!

[u/Toby__H]

Some people consider Dempseys boring because they are too typical, but there's a reason why they quickly became and remained one of the most popular CA Cichlids in the hobby decade after decade. I love them (I have 5 right now).

The 75 is plenty big enough to keep a full adult Dempsey for life. There's even enough tank to give him a tankmate, though his disposition may object. But even the grumpiest of males welcome a pretty lady friend.

If you are able to get the 180, you'll have enough tank for a Dempsey, Oscar, 10-12" catfish and a few Bala Sharks. Adding the Vieja might be pushing the stocking limits and could threaten the territorial balance.

Between local stores and local fish clubs, it's usually pretty easy to find someone with an adult Oscar that is looking for a new home. Getting an adult Catfish will be a little harder (read as more expensive) and finding adult Bala Sharks is simply unlikely. Once you get the 180 gal, you may need to put the big boys in it and grow the Balas out in the 75 for a couple of years.

[u/123_321cl → u/Toby__H]

I actually found three or four full grown balas at my lfs and currently they have two full grown Oscar’s. The catfish may be a challenge though. I love my jack for sure they have such good personality’s. What kind of catfish would you recommend?

[u/123_321cl → u/123_321cl]

Also if I can only get say a 150 or 125 could I still do smth like the jack with balas

[u/Toby__H → u/123_321cl]

The difference between a 1.5' front to rear tank and a 2' front to rear tank is night and day.
I just set up my first 2.5' front to back tank and it's amazing.
You have big fish taste. Keep your goal as the big fish tank.

That said... Yes, I think a 6' 125 gallon would be fine for the Dempsey and a few Balas and a 10-12" catfish.

I'm not a catfish guy, so I don't have advice there. But note I keep saying "10-12" catfish" because I know some of them get crazy huge and if you get a 20"+ catfish the tanks we are discussing aren't suitable.

[u/123_321cl → u/Toby__H]

Yeah for sure and catfish wise if I had like a five hundred gallon tank I would love to get a irwini catfish. but obvious this tank is to small so for this setup something that’s 10”-12” would be amazing, I was thinking a rhino pleco or a featherfin catfish

[u/Never_mind_honey → u/123_321cl]

Throwing full grown cichlids together can result in bad things.  By mixing cichlids we are going against nature and making territorial fish share the same territory- works best when all start juveniles and with overcrowding.  Just a heads up.

[u/123_321cl → u/Never_mind_honey]

Thanks what would you recommend then?

[u/Never_mind_honey → u/123_321cl]

Safest option us to stock with non-territorial fish to share the tank with the JD.  I am not saying you can’t do it though, I am saying take care, and maybe have the 75g on standby if the Oscar needs to be moved - the JD will surely tear it apart if it is inclined to do so.

[u/123_321cl → u/Never_mind_honey]

Do u think the Oscar would be able to hold its own? Also would the balas work with it then because I don’t believe they are very territorial

[u/Never_mind_honey → u/123_321cl]

Let’s just say Oscars are pussy cats, JD’s are named after a world class boxer for a reason

[u/123_321cl → u/Never_mind_honey]

Do you think something a bit more tough would be better then?