Stock suggestions for 72 gallon bowfront

[jarrodaden]

Assuming I get rid of my current fish and plants, I will be completely rescaping and stocking my 72 gallon bowfront with various cichlids.

I plan to use black sand, gray stone, and minimal driftwood.

My wife specifically asked for yellow, orange, red, blue, green, and yellow colors in the tank.

What cichlids, peacocks, and / or parrots would you recommend? I need a package plan meeting the misses requirements. I plan to start with 2" - 3" fish for cost reasons knowing full well that I might get less than colorful females. I would also like to buy two of each kind with the hopes of breeding potential with at least one pair.

Pictures would be great as I know very few by name.

Thanks.

[armthehomeless]

I noticed that you put this in the SA/CA section . . . but you mentioned peacocks which are african cichlids (unless you mean peacock bass which would get too large).I think a male peacock tank would work well. Here are a couple possibilities:

Aulonocara "German Red"

Aulonocara baenschi

Aulonocara stuartgranti

Aulonocara nyassae

Mixed peacocks will fit your color palette as well. I've got nothing for green at the moment though.

[jarrodaden]

Not neccessarily looking for cichlids from any specific region. I admit my knowledge of these is limited and I could be in the wrong section.

Green terror isn't really green, but looks pretty sweet.
Venutsa (sp?) is another nice looking fish.

I assume from what I know that all cichlids are generally compatible with other cichlids as long as you add them at the same time to avoid the new addition being singled out.

Thanks for the suggestions. The stuartgranti is really nice.

[Gene D]

Cichlids from different areas can be compatible but you would be best served to stick to one region. The biggest issue would be diet and preferred environment(rock, wood, plants). You would do well to go with the Malawi peacocks for the color as well they would all eat the same food and feel at home in a rockscaped tank.

[Darbex]

If you want vibrant colors I would recommend peacocks and you can usually find some really good ones at the auctions for good prices.

[FrontosaurusRex]

Go with some geos. They have all the colors you mentioned and they are just as easy to keep as peacocks. Talk to 23jumpman23 or Tater Tot for specific names of geophagus.

[jarrodaden]

Regarding Malawi Peacocks

Are there any special environmental requirements other than rock, minimal driftwood, and no live plants that I should be aware of?

I read somewhere on the internet that some cichlids require aquarium salt.
Also, what can I do in the tank to increase my odds of breeding? Caves, etc.