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There has been more talk with the husband about getting my 55g. A 75g may be a reality...I explained to him it wouldn't be much more in inital cost and the size difference is only in the width of the tank.

Anyhow, here is a list of fish I'm interested in. Obviously I can't have them all but I'd to get some different stocking ideas.

-Jack Dempsey
-oscar
-green terror
-severum
-convict
-salvini
-Texas

I'm really just tossing around ideas right now so any other suggestions would be appreciated as well.



Last edited by Theresa_M at 13-Oct-2004 08:28

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There is water at the bottom of the ocean

A pair of dempseys and a pleco or two sounds nice. In addition, a school of about 5-6 giant danios sounds good, although it does kind of ruin the CA/SA theme, but if the jacks end up breeding, you'll want some targets other than the plec.

I just upgraded to a 75 g not long ago, definitely go with the 75. If you have the money and space you will not be dissapointed, especially if you go with some of the larger SA cichlids. The extra width is a new feature that you will miss with the 55g if you decide on that.


Last edited by openwater at 12-Oct-2004 19:33

Get one Oscar, and a pleco. That’s what I have in my 75gal. The Oscar will become on of your kids, I don’t know what I would do if mine died. Most likely cry...

A 75 will definetly be better, as that extra with really allows the fish to have more room.

I'd go with what you want..if your trying to breed, I'd go with a trio of severums and let them pair off, and sell the extra. Oscars are great, a pair will be okay in your tank. I wouldnt go with convicts, people usually end up thinking it's a nuiscance to their tank, if you want to keep it, get a 30 gallon for it.

Most of the fish you listed can be kept in pairs in the 75, in a 50 you'd most likely only be able to keep one oscar, jack dempsey, or texas. The 75 really kicks up the options.

Oh, Texas cichlids! They are one of the most beautiful cichlids I've ever seen. It would be great if you could get a breeding pair...they get my vote.

i'd have to say texans. they get big and very pretty. my mum loves em. a large n/a crayfish would work with them for a while...

Thanks so much for the replies

In choosing a plec for the tank, would I have to get a certain type? In other words, is size a concern or do these fish generally leave plecs alone?

Am I essentially looking at a pair of one species or can any be combined?

Giant danios were mentioned...are dither fish necessary? If so, what would I be looking for in terms of size?


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There is water at the bottom of the ocean

Dither fish may or may not be necessary, depending on the temperament of your cichlids, but they're always a plus. As for the plec, I'd get something hardy, large, and well armoured, such as a pardalis, or a small gibby. There are some other large plecs that I can think of off the top of my head which might do well, but they are fairly $$, and if it doesn't work out with the common, at least you'll only be spending several bucks.

Do you have any plans on filtration yet? Thinking that your most likely going to pick some large cichlids, the filtration will be a very important factor.