Changed My Mind!!!

[Cstan216]

So I've got my 75 gallon ready for some fishes and finally made up my mind. I'm going to go for a Peacock Tank as this is a huge focal point in our house lol. I've been referred to Fish R Us and was wondering if anyone had any ideas as to this place vs the other options? Also, should I go for a male show tank or a mix to hope for babies (just for fun and the hobby)?

Your ideas please...Thank In Advance!

[R_sustaita]

I think Ultimate Fish is better than Fish r us. i never been there my self but heard bad stories of the place.

[Cstan216]

Awesome! Thanks for your help. I live few minutes from Ultimate so I will definitely be going there. I am thinking of making a run around town to all the stores and writing a full review of all the stores I go to. One day....one day.....lol

[ptran]

If it's a show tank, I would definitely go for all male peacocks: fast growing, nice color and low maintenance.

[moganman]

Males of different species. If you get all males of the same, you will have one or two dominant and the rest won't be as colorful. Last time I was in Ultimate they had some beautiful Malawi cichlids. Very nice stock in there.

[Andrew_B]

Fish R us has improved greatly over this past year fish wise, while Ultimate fish has declined big time (store size cut in half as well). You would walk out of fish r us with a full tank of fish with either a variety of adult peacocks or juvis. You're going to find occasional unhealthy fish at every LFS you go to, just don't buy them. It's the only LFS I go to if I am in need of anything. If you sign up for jasons (fish r us) email list, you'll get an email a couple times a week with all the new stock that arrived, some pretty good stuff you don't see everywhere else. People claim they have issues with jason, he's been nothing but cool with me. Also some complain about fish from him dying. Well, if they died on the way home, or the next day I can understand, but some whine about fish dying a month after they got home and blame the quality of fish. Doesn't make much sense to me. Just go there and make your own judgement. He probably has the biggest fish selection in town

[Cstan216]

You guys are a great help! I will definitely use this info and get something posted later on. I'm set on doing a mixed male tank. How many can I get in this 75 gallon? Not too worried about waste and maintenance as much as adult size etc.

[Andrew_B]

There a couple ways to do male tanks. 100% males, most of which only show 50-75% of their color as once dominance gets settled, there won't be much aggression. I feel the better way is to get reverse trios of each species (2m/1f), it gives the fish something to get fired up about. You're obviously not concerned with breeding, so just let nature take its course. Personally, I'd rather have 20 100% fired up males constantly going at it for the females and dominance and 10 drab females that won't even be noticed than 30 males at half color.

All depends on your filtration. You can get probably 60+ adult malawis in that tank.

[Cstan216]

I like that idea too! Originally I was worried about having a bunch of beautiful males with alot of tail nip etc. You really think I could fit 60? Jesus I was thinking 20-25 Max.

[Andrew_B]

More you put, less aggression. All depends on filtration, how much you feed, water changes etc etc. There's always going to be nipped tails, but when you add more fish, it reduces the chance of really beat up fish

[Cstan216]

Hm. I've never heard of that. I will try that out. Makes sense though. I have 2 - C306 Fluval Canister Filters and airstones, circulation pumps (to come later) so I would think I could hold a lot in that tank.

[ptran]

I like that idea too! Originally I was worried about having a bunch of beautiful males with alot of tail nip etc. You really think I could fit 60? Jesus I was thinking 20-25 Max.

Yeah, I understand that you can crowd them up to control aggression but 60+ sounds a lot for a 75 gallon tank. I have a few Borleyi that are growing so fast and huge at 6". It all depend on what you are getting, but you should do some homework first. I found this website useful in doing my homework:

http://www.cichlid-forum.com/articles/african_cichlid_genus_gallery.php

[mnemenoi]

Daves Rare Fish in San Antonio has a very good selection and ships here for relatively cheap. His website is up to date and mail order is his specialty. His Aulunocara selection is second to none in my opinion.

[Cstan216]

Here's the tank prior to adding the fish. Open to any idea's but so far I love this setup. Let me know what you think. Male Peacocks to come soon. (I think/hope)

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[mnemenoi]

Peacocks are all deeper water fish, so the scape and lighting looks great. The aeration should help in increasing the oxygenation rate, a big win with any of the rift lake tanks. I have a feeling they'll do quite well and with breeding not being a focus you can actually add in some cooler Malawi resident oddballs that are a bit harder to find.