Is it possible to have a large variety of dwarf cichlids in a 75g tank?

[Complexity]

I'm ordering a second 75g setup, and I'm debating on which way to go with it. My initial thought was to make it a second planted tank, but I also adore dwarf cichlids. So I'm debating which way to go with this tank.

One thing that I'm not sure about, if I go with a cichlid tank, is how many different kinds of fish I could really put in it? My most favorite fish is Pelvicachromis taeniatus ("fancy" kribs). Their aggression is low enough to add to a regular community tank, but you can't put more than one (maybe two if you really push it) pairs in the tank.

Is it possible to have a dwarf cichlid tank filled with a large variety of different cichlids? Would they just fight all the time or any chance of them breeding? Can I go with a mix of, let's say, 1/2 dwarf cichlids and 1/2 others?

If I want a tank full of different fish that do not spend their entire existence fighting, do I need to stick to a community tank or can I have a dwarf cichlid community of some sort?

[Zulaab]

Since you already like Kribs.. I could make the suggestion of Nanochromis parilius another awesome looking little dwarf african river cichlid.
They will need a planted tank with a cave (same as a Krib) and you will find joy in these guys too.

http://www.cichlid-forum.com/profiles/species.php?id=1349

[Complexity]

I'm reading up on it now, and it's very much a fish I'd enjoy! At first glance, I'm a little concerned that my water may be too hard and too warm for them. Have you ever had them?

I've been looking at the fish you have, and I really like a lot of them. I just don't know anything about them. Looks like I'll have some studying to do so I can decide what I want in my new 75g setup. If you can think of any other fish I should check out, let me know.

[Complexity]

BTW, I should clarify that I'm willing to make this second 75g a non-planted tank. It would give me some variety in my tanks and fish; plus, I think it would be easier to maintain than a planted tank.

[Zulaab]

I have had two pairs of Nanochromis parilius in a 29g.. just a bit to small for two pairs to be be happy. In a 75 they would be fine. Specially if you get alot of plants in there etc.. In a 29g the one pair spawned for me. I got some from Fish Gallery for about $10 a piece. Two pair will work in a 75 with two other pairs of kribs.. The Parilius are only agressive conspecific. To others they couldnt care less who is in their territory.

[amilcar]

it can work....but expect war.....plus allot of dither fish would be good good examples are colombian tetras,black tetras, and other tetras along those lines plus rainbows would make it interesting aswell

[Complexity]

I'm definitely interested in getting Nanochromis parilius.

So if I got Nanochromis parilius and Pelvicachromis taeniatus in a heavily planted tank with lots of caves, is that pretty much it for my cichlid list? Would I then need to stick with community fish for the rest of the tank?

Another fish that I have always wanted, but never got, is synodontis petricola. Would they cause too much activity for either of the two fish above? I'd have to double check, but I think synodontis petricola prefer to not be alone so I'd consider getting 3-5 if I got them.

[Zulaab]

Another fish that I have always wanted, but never got, is synodontis petricola. Would they cause too much activity for either of the two fish above? I'd have to double check, but I think synodontis petricola prefer to not be alone so I'd consider getting 3-5 if I got them.

The Petricola is a rock dwelling fish, its going to want open water and rocks. This is a cat fish that will scavenge anything is can find, beautiful fish. I would say you can get them but they are going to need a completely different kind of setup in comparison to a planted tank.

You are going to want to have a sandy bottom, open space and rock structure for them to move about and around. Then you will need a cave for them to spawn in, incase this is what you want to attempt.

[Complexity]

Wow, incredible info! Thanks so much for sharing your knowledge.

Sand with rocks is what I've been mulling around in my mind, but it seems all my fish choices, except the cats, draw me back to a planted tank.

[Zulaab]

If you decide to go with Petrocola cats, you have just opened yourself up to a WHOLE new world of fish that will enjoy a few plants here and there.
You can now get into keeping Tanganyika cichlids, which by themselves have a whole new personality that you dont get to see in river cichlids.

[Complexity]

Well, that's what I'm debating. But if I do that, what fish can I put together? Will I just end up with a tank of sand, rocks and fish swimming around in circles, fighting with each other? I like watching fish with unique personalities, such as cave dwellers and mouth brooders. I love watching them raise their young even if only a few manage to survive. It's watching their behaviors that interests me.

I was originally interested in having a Tang tank, but got into planted tanks. I know I love planted tanks and the fish I can have with them. I don't know what I can have if I go a different route.

I know I don't want just a few big fish a tank. My preferences tend to draw me to tanks with lots of fish where they create their own special homes in different parts of the tanks where they live out their own little lives — instead of a big group of fish swimming back and forth all day long in a group home — if that makes any sense. That's why I was thinking of sticking with dwarfs.

But if I can't achieve that without a planted tank, then I'll go ahead with a planted tank and concentrate on getting different fish from what I have in my current 75g planted.

[Zulaab]

Tangs come in a HUGE variety you will not be disappointed.
Petricola's can handle a lot of different fishes out there.
Tell me what you are looking for and I promise you I can put a tank together that will make you sit down and watch it all day long.

[Nickintex]

Next thing you know, Jesper will be trying to turn you troph!

[Complexity]

Tell me what you are looking for and I promise you I can put a tank together that will make you sit down and watch it all day long.

That's the problem. I don't know the different fish well enough to say which ones I like.

I like colorful fish. I like fish that have personalities, but aren't as concerned about me as they are in their own little world. I like fish that find a place to call home and then go about personalizing it (as in how Pelvicachromis move the substrate to get it just right).

Not much to go on, I know.

Next thing you know, Jesper will be trying to turn you troph!

No offense to all the troph lovers on here, but they're just not grabbing me. Too repetitive for my tastes. It seems the tanks I've seen with them have trophs and only trophs, and even if their colors are different, they all look the same and act the same for the most part. That's actually the opposite of what I'm wanting. I want a large variety of different fish that behave independent of each other, not as a single group.

[Nickintex]

No offense to all the troph lovers on here, but they're just not grabbing me. Too repetitive for my tastes. It seems the tanks I've seen with them have trophs and only trophs, and even if their colors are different, they all look the same and act the same for the most part.

Don't let Geoff see this...:icon_hang: