75 gallon stocking suggestions

[mnemenoi]

I like Africans and would have a lot more tanks if I could, lol. There are the 3 major rift lake tanks and then riverine and Madagascaran tank ideas. All the lakes seem to favor High Ph and hard water that we have in abundance so they are the most easily maintained. From my experiance Madgascaran is the least done with Malawi and Victoria in the middle and Tanganyika the most favored. There has been a bloom in numerous species (even non-cichlid residents) being imported and bred. Perhaps a community with one of the odder recent imports being the focus and working the residents around them. A Tang tank with an emphasis on Tang Killifish or Distochodus, A Malawi tank focusing on their resident spiny eels, a Victorian tank with Morymids or barbs, or a Madagascaran tank with Killifish and Rainbows. Just some ideas...

[cpirnie3]

I think you could do an all male peacock tank and not be "cookie cutter". Would make a beautiful show tank. Whatever males you happy is most important. Just my $.02

Peacocks would be pretty stunning. Thanks AJ!

[cpirnie3]

I like Africans and would have a lot more tanks if I could, lol. There are the 3 major rift lake tanks and then riverine and Madagascaran tank ideas. All the lakes seem to favor High Ph and hard water that we have in abundance so they are the most easily maintained. From my experiance Madgascaran is the least done with Malawi and Victoria in the middle and Tanganyika the most favored. There has been a bloom in numerous species (even non-cichlid residents) being imported and bred. Perhaps a community with one of the odder recent imports being the focus and working the residents around them. A Tang tank with an emphasis on Tang Killifish or Distochodus, A Malawi tank focusing on their resident spiny eels, a Victorian tank with Morymids or barbs, or a Madagascaran tank with Killifish and Rainbows. Just some ideas...

Mnemenoi - you are a most interesting and inventive man. I really like your suggestions about the oddball African setup. I am going to do some research and see what I can find / see who will ship things to me here in SE Texas. Thanks again!

[cu0ngsayz]

I like clown loaches, but they will outgrow the tank. I was also thinking african cichlids, but I don't want a cookie cutter tank. Any thoughts?

clown loaches actually grow pretty slow. so i think you'll be ok for a few years haha

[cpirnie3]

clown loaches actually grow pretty slow. so i think you'll be ok for a few years haha

That is true. I could always trade in the loaches when they get larger. Thanks for the input cu0ngsayz!

[cu0ngsayz]

NP! That's why we have this great helpful community. :)

[cpirnie3]

Go time!

So thank you all for your suggestions, but I've reached a decision :)

I'm going to stock the 75 with Blue Dolphin cichlids! I know, not the most unique, but I've never kept them before, so I'm excited I may add some yellow labs, acei, or other compatible Malawi cichlids. We will see...

I picked up 4 little blues recently. As I'm still setting up the 75, they are temporarily in with my 29 Congo tetra tank, which I re-scapped with some Texas holey rock. (And yes, they are actually getting along quite well - I haven't noticed any aggression at all)

So what do you guys think of the little guys?
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