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Stocking a 75 gallon

7K views 20 replies 3 participants last post by  rrcoolj 
#1 ·
Hi all,

I will be starting to fill up my 75 gallon this weekend, after many delays. I am planning on either different kinds of African or South American. I have no real list yet, so could someone help give me an idea of what to try and get? Also, can any non cichlids live with African cichlids, and are there any South American Cichlids that can live with Africans?

Thanks!
 
#2 ·
I don't reccomend mixing africans with SA cichlids. I think you will be much happier with a setup dedicated to either or. plus they live in completely opposite water conditions. There are so many speceis out there it will really come down to what you want I would highly suggest going out and doing your own research and finding a fish that suits you.

That being said for an african tank I always reccomend mbunas because they are common and easy to take care of. For your sized tank I would get.

6 yellow labs
6 acei or 12 demasoni
6 hongi or 6 rusty cichlids

Try to get 1 male to every 2-3 females except for the demasoni. Mbunas should only be kept with other mbunas for the most part but with so many fish in the tank you really won't need to add any other fish.

For a SA tank many people will reccomend angelfish which is fine but there are so many other types out there. You could maybe do a colony of red head tapjaos(eartheaters) with a school of tetras. You could also do a pair of severum with a school of tetras and maybe cory catfish as well.
 
#3 ·
Looks like I will end up with African Cichlids...

I'm guessing from that stock it would be a Lake Malawi community?

I really like Yellow Labs and Acei, but I dont think my LFS has Rusty's or Hongi cichlids.
Would Electric Blue cichlids or Bumblebee cichlids be a good replacement?

Also, would any type of catfish or pleco be suitable to live in the same tank?

Thanks
 
#4 ·
Do you know what type of water you have (Ph, Gh and Kh)? Africans generally prefer hard, alkaline water and South Americans softer, acidic water. Central American cichlids are a bit in the middle and may be a possibility for you. So finding out what type of tap water you have would be a good start.
 
#6 ·
What is the scientific name for the electric blues? There are a few speceis that go by that name. Bumblebees are defiantly not an option. They grow larger than most mbunas and are highly aggressive.

As for plecos you can try bristlenose plecos but mbunas have been known to eat their eyes out or hound them to death. It works for some people and not for others. For catfish synodontis multipunctatus or synodontis petricola are both good options and a group of either would do well in your tank.
 
#8 ·
I wouldn't get those. They are haps and get a bit larger and are a bit more aggressive than your typical mbuna. Plus IMO they get too big for a 4ft 75 gallon tank.
 
#10 ·
Fryeri can get at least 10" and are open water predators. Jewel cichlids are not rift lake cichlids like mbunas. They actually prefer softer water and live in a totally different ecosystem than mbunas. I would not get them. I also would not get red zebra. They have a tendency to hybridize with yellow labs and the last thing the cichlid hoby needs is more hybrids.
 
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#11 · (Edited)
Well the only other African Cichlids my LFS has are peacock cichlid and Auratus Cichlids ... how about them :) I read up on the Peacock and some people said they are agressive and others said they aren't. I can't find any good info on Auratus Cichlids.

So far I only have Yellow Labs and Acei on my list.
 
#12 ·
Yellow labs and acei are a good combo. Have you considered ordering online? that would really open your options up. Anyway again auratus are extremely aggressive fish and are not recommended. Some peacocks would be ok with mbunas but it depends on the species. You have to tell me what speceis specifically they have and I can tell you if they are compatible. Auratus are extremely common fish I doubt you would have much problem finding info on them. Just google auratus and you should get tons of results.
 
#13 ·
I have never really considered ordering online, especially because I live in Canada. I will have to figure out what kind of Peacock's the LFS has next time I go there.

I guess I will start stocking with Yellow Labs and Acei, and then check out online or other fish stores that could have a larger selection.

Thanks for all the help.
 
#16 ·
Aah one of the smaller growing peacocks. These guys will do very well with your stock I would get them. Aim for one male and like 3 females. They have a mild temperament too which is good.
 
#18 ·
Sounds good, luckily I found another fish store nearby with a much bigger selection that has African Cichlids go on sale weekly, so I may need a couple more opinions on other cichlids :-D

Thanks again

Edit... posted the same comment twice by accident :|
 
#20 ·
Woot




The fish store was all out of Acei, so I picked up these guys :).

The store also had a bunch of types Peacocks that weren't listed on their site, I can't remember what they were called but I will call tomorrow and figure out and post them here to see, as after today I don't exactly trust the employe's choices.
 

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