Stocking advice for 125 gallon

[colbywebre47]

Hey yall I currently have a 125 gallon planted tank with lots of plants and driftwood. I am looking for some ideas for fish that I could add, and I am pretty much open to anything you think will fit. I currently have a fairly large (12-14 inch) Ornate Bichir, a 6 inch blue phantom pleco and a 6-7 inch zebra pike cichlid. What other fish do yall think I could add. I was thinking some sort of schooling fish, or maybe another large more peaceful cichlid. My bichir is pretty docile and has never been fed feeders, and neither has my pike cichlid, it is also pretty timid.

 

[A201]

Dawkinsia Filamentosa Barbs are a larger schooling Barb. If you keep a cooler temperature, 68 - 75 degrees, Denison Barbs are another larger Barb species.

 

[colbywebre47]

Dawkinsia Filamentosa Barbs are a larger schooling Barb. If you keep a cooler temperature, 68 - 75 degrees, Denison Barbs are another larger Barb species.

Ive looked into those, sorry i should’ve mentioned it in my original post but i keep my tank at 82 degrees F. Since thats the best temp for the pike cichlid( who is the centerpiece)

 

[tinylostwine]

Dawkinsia Filamentosa Barbs are a larger schooling Barb. If you keep a cooler temperature, 68 - 75 degrees, Denison Barbs are another larger Barb species.

The blue phantom (L128) won't love that.
You could try some of the larger tetra like Buenos Aires or silver dollars - though silver dollars can be very skittish so if your tank is in the middle of a room that might be a problem. Long term not sure how the blue phantom is going to behave with the pike.

 

[colbywebre47]

The blue phantom (L128) won't love that.
You could try some of the larger tetra like Buenos Aires or silver dollars - though silver dollars can be very skittish so if your tank is in the middle of a room that might be a problem. Long term not sure how the blue phantom is going to behave with the pike.

Pike cichlid is very timid, he only comes out to eat very quickly then darts back under his piece of driftwood. The plecos cave and the pikes cave are on complete opposite sides of the tank. I think it would be beneficial to have some dither fish. I really like silver dollars but ive read that the decimate plants. I was thinking something along the lines of a pair of geophagus.

 

[TClare]

Geophagus will dig up plants, unless you only have epiphytes. How about Mesonauta (festivum or flag cichlid)? They inhabit the mid to upper parts of the tank so would not disturb your other fish.

 

[colbywebre47]

Geophagus will dig up plants, unless you only have epiphytes. How about Mesonauta (festivum or flag cichlid)? They inhabit the mid to upper parts of the tank so would not disturb your other fish.

I actually really like those and I have strongly considered them before. Havent been able to find any for sale, but they seem like the best fit for sure, thanks!

 

[tinylostwine]

I actually really like those and I have strongly considered them before. Havent been able to find any for sale, but they seem like the best fit for sure, thanks!

wetspot frequently has them - you have to add the various species to your notify list so when they become availalbe ... it is actually more painful than that since you have to add all the species at all the sizes and in some cases tank bred or wild caught....

 

[colbywebre47]

wetspot frequently has them - you have to add the various species to your notify list so when they become availalbe ... it is actually more painful than that since you have to add all the species at all the sizes and in some cases tank bred or wild caught....

I actually just found some 4 inchers for sale on predatory fins, which is where I got my pleco.