New 75 Gallon

[Flumpus]

My wife and I just setup a new 75 gallon tank. It's in the process of cycling, and now we're starting to consider what we want to put in it. We've already decided that we want some bigger fish (used to keeping tetras, corys, rams, etc...). The dimensions of the tank are 48x18x21. I think this would be plenty big for a nice variety of African cichlids, but I don't evn know where to start. The tank has black sand right now, and to get the desired PH I'd add some limestone rocks (did the same with my brackish tank). I'm not concerned about water stats, I know how to get those where I need them. I just need some suggestions about which fish, how many, etc... As for what we'd like, I'd say everything at least 5" full grown, and colorful (my wife also likes fish with interesting faces ). I appreciate any advice yall can give me!

 

[modernhamlet]

This is a good site to get some ideas...

http/www.cichlid-forum.com/articles/cookie_cutter_75g.php

They also have profiles and articles of many cichlids...

http/www.cichlid-forum.com/profiles/

Make sure you read up on each fish for it's behavioral and dietary needs. There are many African cichlids and many of them are incompatible. Research is key.

I have a 75g mbuna tank and absolutely love it. Good luck!!!

 

[sylvia]

Those links are very good but, if you want a place to start, my favourite not-so-very-aggressive mbuna are labidochromis caeruleus, pseudotropheus acei, iodotropheus sprengerae, p. saulosi and p. socolofi so I would reccomend those 5 species highly .

 

[freddyk]

I'd say everything at least 5" full grown

Check out the Haplichromines of lake Malawi, they'll suit what you're looking for.

 

[Flumpus]

Hmmm... ya know what, those Haplichromines look great! We both really like them. Thanks for that link also, it's very helpful. In the past I haven't necessarily liked the overstocked cichlid look in tanks, but now that I'm looking at the fish more in depth I'm starting to come around

 

[freddyk]

In the past I haven't necessarily liked the overstocked cichlid look in tanks

A little crowded is good, but Haps do best with a little room anyway, and aren't generally overstocked the way mbuna setups tend to be. Once you come up with species you like it's a good idea to run them past some experienced keepers. As with any cichlid they are not necessarily compatible, even if they seem very similar - sometimes especially because they seem very similar. Good luck

 

[Flumpus]

Well, according to that Cookie Cutter 75g page, I've found some stuff I like. Of the ones we like, it suggests five of these, four of these, and two pair of these. Is that reasonable? That's certainly not what we've decided on for sure, but we do like the look of the fish, and the difficulty in keeping them doesn't seem high. Also, how common are these in stores? I know I can get one of my LFSs to special order fish, but didn't know if I was going to have trouble finding any of these. Thanks again for the help!

 

[freddyk]

Nice choices. The only thing I noticed - the Aulonocara are also polygamous so you'd be looking at a trio with these. These are all dimorphic and the females lack the color of the males, so the only color in the tank will be the males. I don't mind this since I go for the natural behavior and prefer to have the females, but if color is your priority you migh want to consider an all-male tank.

Availability often depends on location, none of them would be easy to find in a store around here. If you can find breeders and clubs locally they can be much better then dealing with the stores.

 

[Flumpus]

Instead of the first one I posted about, what about four of these? Thanks for all you help freddy, it's much appreciated

An all male tank doesn't bother me, because I don't necessarily want any breeding going on, unless all males will cause an aggression problem.