Should I? or Shouldn't I! That's the Q!

[chen88]

Ok, with new 400gal tank coming at 8ft L x 3ft W x 2.5ft H, and a 5ftr Sump...the current live stock I will have in there will be:

(4) P13 Leo's Approx. 10" Dia
(2) P12 Henlei's Approx. 10" Dia
(3) Azul Peacock Bass (7-10")
(1) Tigrinus 10"
(1) 15" SR Aro
(2) 7" Red Parrots (I know I know!...but they are the wifes!..sigh).
think that's what I have...lol.

I have an opportunity to get another 4 SR's approx. same size as my 15incher....to start a comm.....I don't like the see lots of fights and torn fins but thought at 15" and at min. 5 of them with the Azul's and Parrots there's a lot of distraction....bio is going to be high!....

What's your thoughts! Always appreciate what you guys are thinking...to go or not to go!...I do want to add more mid to top level swimming fish at some point....so hence thinking about SR's that I have access to right now....but would also consider a school of XXL Discus although they are much much more sensitive!

 

[homebrewed]

Sounds like it is going to be an awesome group of fish

Personally after seeing so many aro communities with beat up aros I wouldn't add anymore. But thats just me. Don't like seeing such beautiful expensive fish with ripped fins or worse

 

[m_class2g]

are the other 4 super reds already in a comm? if they are liviing together peacefully already, adding them to your existing aro might work. then again the pecking order will change and you will see some chasing around regardless.

for me, id go with a single show aro. just less stress. i hate seeing torn fins, missing scales etc.

just my opinion.

 

[Cirrus]

Hi Chen - as you know I am slowly assembling (*yawn* a bit toooo slowly...) the same sort of set up as you with rays etc in a big Tenecor tank. For the longest time I was planning to do an aro com, but now I am leaning more to having a ray com with a single Asian aro. I have seen too many beat up aros lately in com set ups. Keep in mind that your rays will get much bigger, as will most of the other fish you have. Thus, if you add another 4 larger aros, at some point you will have to reconfigure your tank and part out fish.

Still, if the 4 aros are all in a stable com already, and if you are assembling everyone in your new tank anyway (meaning no pre-existing territories for all the aros), and you are okay with eventually parting out some fish, then it would be a pretty incredible tank.

 

[chen88]

the 4 SR's are currently in a comm of 7 to 8 aros and grew up together...so they are use to each other. I had try a comm tank many years ago and hated the torn fins and drop scales! but thought being larger and more distractions, they would "maybe" not fight as much!....anyways...definitely a consideration NOT to go comm....

Theo, i agree, the rays will get much much bigger as will the bass and tig, was just looking at options to fill mid to upper level of the tank....I'll hold off for now!...

Theo, I'm going towards the black tahati black sand for substrate eventhough my new tank has a black bottom.....keep hearing and being told that black rays will tend to look darker as their colours will mock the colour of the substrate....to a certain degree I guess.

 

[homebrewed]

Theo, I'm going towards the black tahati black sand for substrate eventhough my new tank has a black bottom.....keep hearing and being told that black rays will tend to look darker as their colours will mock the colour of the substrate....to a certain degree I guess.

Who makes this kind of sand? Is it good for rays?