Need help with future stocking of 75 gallon

[Jadie.Glitch]

Hi there,

Getting closer and closer to being ready to add fish to my tank (still at least two months out since I'm taking things slow and making sure conditions are as good as possible... plus I'll be doing a no-fish cycle starting from scratch to get things going).

Anyways, my husband and I have posted some questions on here and someone suggested that we look at a list of freshwater fish and pick out some that we really like, then post them in a new thread and ask for suggestions/comments/concerns.

ANY feedback you can give me on which fishies from this list will work together and how to get it done will be great!

Our tank is a 75 gallon. We know we can't have EVERYTHING which is why we need help with the elimination. Also, on top of this if it's possible I'd like to have a bit of movement. I don't want to have an entire tank stocked with single fish that sit in one spot. A couple school of something flashy would be good. My husband loves the loaches and bottom dwellers, and I'm partial to anything neon or brightly colored.

Here's the list (kinda grouped, kinda not):

Flat Flyer Plecostomus (http://www.petsolutions.com/Flat-Flyer-Plecostomus-L-235+I47076+C79.aspx)
Red Fin Plecostomus (http://www.petsolutions.com/Red-Fin-Plecostomus-L-024+I47430+C79.aspx)
Rhino Plecostomus (http://www.petsolutions.com/Rhino-Plecostomus+I47900+C79.aspx)
Chinese Algae Eater (http://www.petsolutions.com/Chinese-Algae-Eater+I48000+C79.aspx)
Lohachata Botia Loach (http://www.petsolutions.com/Lohachata-Botia-Loach+I55120+C79.aspx)
Clown Loach (http://www.petsolutions.com/Clown-Loach+I69035+C79.aspx)
Tiger Shovelnose Catfish (http://www.petsolutions.com/Tiger-Shovelnose-Catfish+I48420+C79.aspx)
Striped Raphael Catfish (http://www.petsolutions.com/Striped-Raphael-Catfish+I48300+C79.aspx)
Electric Blue Lobster (http://www.petsolutions.com/Male-Green-Cobra-Guppy+I20010+C79.aspx)
Blue Mystery Snail (http://www.petsolutions.com/Blue-Mystery-Snail+I71650+C79.aspx)

Red Snakeskin Discus (http://www.petsolutions.com/Red-Snakeskin-Discus+I30080+C79.aspx)
Diamond Blue Discus (http://www.petsolutions.com/Diamond-Blue-Discus+I30097+C79.aspx)
Brilliant Turquoise Discus (http://www.petsolutions.com/Brilliant-Turquoise-Discus+I30015+C79.aspx)
Red Turquoise Discus (http://www.petsolutions.com/Red-Turquoise-Discus+I30075+C79.aspx)
Ocean Green Discus (http://www.petsolutions.com/Ocean-Green-Discus+I30370+C79.aspx)

Black Veil Angel (http://www.petsolutions.com/Black-Veil-Angel+I25100+C79.aspx)
Gold Angel (http://www.petsolutions.com/Gold-Angel+I25675+C79.aspx)
Black Lace Angel (http://www.petsolutions.com/Black-Lace-Angel+I25700+C79.aspx)

Congo Tetra (http://www.petsolutions.com/Congo-Tetra+I39600+C79.aspx)
Scissortail Tetra (http://www.petsolutions.com/Scissortail-Tetra-Rasbora+I41300+C79.aspx)
Neon Tetra (http://www.petsolutions.com/Neon-Tetra+I40530+C79.aspx)
Head and Tail Light Tetra (http://www.petsolutions.com/Head-Tail-Light-Tetra+I40020+C79.aspx)

Male Green Cobra Guppy (http://www.petsolutions.com/Male-Green-Cobra-Guppy+I20010+C79.aspx)
Neon Swordtail (http://www.petsolutions.com/Neon-Swordtail+I13500+C79.aspx)
Longfin Zebra Danio (http://www.petsolutions.com/Longfin-Zebra-Danio+I36060+C79.aspx)
Neon Redtail Moon (http://www.petsolutions.com/Neon-Redtail-Moon+I16830+C79.aspx)
Yellow Tiger Moon (http://www.petsolutions.com/Yellow-Tiger-Moon+I15825+C79.aspx)
Velvet Red Tux Swordtail (http://www.petsolutions.com/Velvet-Red-Tux-Swordtail+I12600+C79.aspx)
Golden Wonder Killie (http://www.petsolutions.com/Golden-Wonder-Killie+I39840+C79.aspx)
Hap. Milomo (http://www.petsolutions.com/Hap-Milomo+I91440+C79.aspx)

Silver Dollar (http://www.petsolutions.com/Silver-Dollar+I66700+C79.aspx)
Clown Knife (http://www.petsolutions.com/Clown-Knife+I64200+C79.aspx)
Peacock Bass (http://www.petsolutions.com/Peacock-Bass+I68300+C79.aspx)
Black Ghost Knifefish
(http://www.petsolutions.com/Black-Ghost-Knife-Fish+I64005+C79.aspx)Tiger Oscar Cichlid (http://www.petsolutions.com/Tiger-Oscar-Cichlid+I33500+C79.aspx)
Electric Blue Jack Dempsey (http://www.petsolutions.com/Electric-Blue-Jack-Dempsey+I32890+C79.aspx)
Gold Severum (http://www.petsolutions.com/Gold-Severum+I34300+C79.aspx)

This list is way longer than I thought. :jaw-dropping: I definitely need help narrowing things down.

Thanks!

[Aphotic Phoenix]

If you want discus you'll have to base your stocking around them as they require much higher temps than what is healthy for many tropicals. They are not the easiest fish to keep, so definitely do a lot of research first before you decide to go that route, but do keep in mind that some of the advice given about them being super delicate often refers to wild types.

Angels make nice centerpiece fish, but keep in mind that as they get bigger they can eat small fish such as the neons you've listed.

The Black Ghost Knifefish can actually get 20" long, which you may want to consider since the standard 75 gallon is only 18" deep.

Oscars also get quite large, and require heavy duty filtration as they are messy eaters. May get aggressive, and will eat anything it can fit in it's mouth/catch.

Electric Blue Jack Dempsey's are supposedly less aggressive than normal ones, but from what I've heard it's hard to get a good survival rate in young fish. You may need to purchase multiple juvi's just to get one surviving adult.

[Pearl]

Hello and welcome to AC. As for advice on setting up your tank, first let me say that I'm something of a newbie to this forum and to aquariums. (I set up my first tank nine months ago and now I have four, including one that's seventy-five gallons.) I also suggest that you go on-line and research, research, research all the species you mentioned. That said, let's go down your list so I can share what little knowledge I've gathered over the last nine months.

1. While I'm not familiar with flat flyer, red fin or rhino plecos, many species will grow too big for a seventy-five gallon, two exceptions being the bristle-nose pleco and the clown pleco.

2. It's my understanding that Chinese algae-eaters are too aggressive for community tanks.

3. Clown loaches will grow to one foot long and do best in groups of five or larger. In other words, seventy-five gallons is too small for these beasties.

4. Where bottom-feeders are concerned, you can't beat a school of coryadoras catfish in a community tank.

5. Tetras, swordtails, guppies and danios also do best in schools. Therefore, I suggest that you choose three or four species, then get six or more of each. Also, some tetras can be nippy. This certainly applies to serpae tetras. I've read that it also applies to Congo tetras.

6. As for the cichlids (angels, discus, severum, Jack Dempsey, etc.), I've been doing hours of research on these species since I intend to build my new tank around a pair of the smaller, less-aggressive cichlids (and I'm still feeling dazed and confused).

Good luck with your new tank!

[angyles]

honestly, MOST of your list is either to large for a 75G, too difficult for a first setup, or too aggresive for a community.

while a 75G tank seems large, many of the fish on your list grow over 1ft long and would barely have enough room to turn around. Discus are quite specific in their needs and difficult as a first fish.

I would highly recommend that for a first tank, you stick with a relatively easy commiunity setup involving schoolers, bottom dwellers and 1-2 centerpiece fish. For the schoolers you should be looking at rasboras, danios, tetras, barbs. If you want live bearers in place of these, be prepared for lots of babies :-) For the bottom dwellers you should look at various cories, small locahes (skunk, khuli a couple others but NOT clowns) and maybe some small plecos or catfish. The striped rapheal and bristle nose pleco are great options. For the centerpiece fish you could do angels or gouramis. Last but not least, algae eaters. Chinese algae eaters get BIG and MEAN. I loved mine dearly, but eventually rehomed them because they start eating only flake food, picking on eahc other horribly, and are generally bullies in the tank. Your best bet is ottos or siamese algae eaters. Ottos are easier to find.

specifically from your list, here are the options that are realistic

Lohachata Botia Loach (http://www.petsolutions.com/Lohachata-Botia-Loach+I55120+C79.aspx)
Striped Raphael Catfish (http://www.petsolutions.com/Striped-Raphael-Catfish+I48300+C79.aspx)
Blue Mystery Snail (http://www.petsolutions.com/Blue-Mystery-Snail+I71650+C79.aspx)
Black Veil Angel (http://www.petsolutions.com/Black-Veil-Angel+I25100+C79.aspx)
Gold Angel (http://www.petsolutions.com/Gold-Angel+I25675+C79.aspx)
Black Lace Angel (http://www.petsolutions.com/Black-Lace-Angel+I25700+C79.aspx)
Congo Tetra (http://www.petsolutions.com/Congo-Tetra+I39600+C79.aspx)
Scissortail Tetra (http://www.petsolutions.com/Scissortail-Tetra-Rasbora+I41300+C79.aspx)
Neon Tetra (http://www.petsolutions.com/Neon-Tetra+I40530+C79.aspx)
Head and Tail Light Tetra (http://www.petsolutions.com/Head-Tail-Light-Tetra+I40020+C79.aspx)
Male Green Cobra Guppy (http://www.petsolutions.com/Male-Green-Cobra-Guppy+I20010+C79.aspx)
Neon Swordtail (http://www.petsolutions.com/Neon-Swordtail+I13500+C79.aspx)
Longfin Zebra Danio (http://www.petsolutions.com/Longfin-Zebra-Danio+I36060+C79.aspx)
Neon Redtail Moon (http://www.petsolutions.com/Neon-Redtail-Moon+I16830+C79.aspx)
Yellow Tiger Moon (http://www.petsolutions.com/Yellow-Tiger-Moon+I15825+C79.aspx)
Velvet Red Tux Swordtail (http://www.petsolutions.com/Velvet-Red-Tux-Swordtail+I12600+C79.aspx)
Golden Wonder Killie (http://www.petsolutions.com/Golden-Wonder-Killie+I39840+C79.aspx)
I would also avoid stocking everything at once or even deciding on everything at once. When your new to the hobby, you don't know what all the possibilities are. Start with a few species and then grow from there. The more you look at local fish stores and online actions, etc, you'll see more and more options that might be better for your setup.

[Jadie.Glitch]

Thank you all so much for the help! I had my concerns as well over sizing and aggression so I'm really glad to be able to hear your thoughts.

I'll be ditching the Discus (among others) for now. Thank you for helping me to decrease the list. I'll pass this all by the hubby and we'll pick some out and ask you about stocking numbers.

Thanks!

[FSM]

So basically you'd like some attractive, active, small-ish fish.

Clown loaches will eventually get too big; just about any loach from the genus Botia would do great though, as they stay a bit smaller and generally aren't aggressive. Yo Yo loaches are probably the most common of that group, they are nice. B. striata (zebra loaches) have a nicer pattern but aren't as common.

Most peaceful schooling fish would do fine as well; there are numerous tetra species that get reasonably large and have nice coloration. Rainbowfish are another option, they get bigger and many have super nice colors.

If you want cichlids (they are super awesome :) ), avoid anything large and aggressive, but there are still lots of peaceful dwarf cichlids from South America. Apistogramma are popular, there are numerous species and generally they are attractively colored.

[jpappy789]

I think a stock including the congo tetras, maybe some rainbowfish, yoyo loaches, and sevs (?) would be nice for that tank size.

[Jadie.Glitch]

Okay, so what about the Horseface Loach (http://www.petsolutions.com/Horseface-Loach+I69545+C40001592.aspx)? Size and temperament seem inline, but it says they're burrowers. Are they a no-no for planted tanks?

For the rest we've got it down to:

Bottom Dweller(s)
Striped Raphael Catfish (http://www.petsolutions.com/Striped-Raphael-Catfish+I48300+C79.aspx)

Show Fish
Black Veil Angel (http://www.petsolutions.com/Black-Veil-Angel+I25100+C79.aspx)
Gold Angel (http://www.petsolutions.com/Gold-Angel+I25675+C79.aspx)

Schoolers
Male Green Cobra Guppy (http://www.petsolutions.com/Male-Green-Cobra-Guppy+I20010+C79.aspx)
Neon Swordtail (http://www.petsolutions.com/Neon-Swordtail+I13500+C79.aspx)
Golden Wonder Killie (http://www.petsolutions.com/Golden-Wonder-Killie+I39840+C79.aspx)

Still wanted at least one more bottom feeder of some sort...

[goalieman59]

I would stay away from anything with a long tail, my angels like to go after anything with a longer tail. As for bottom dwellers I would go with a good size school of cory cats (http://www.liveaquaria.com/product/prod_display.cfm?c=830+1161+935&pcatid=935), they are so much fun to sit and watch. As far as the angels go, i would find someone that has juvies and then get a few to see if you can find a pair. I would go with the black veil, i love how they look:D. You will have to be careful and what size of tetras you put with the angels. You could also try any of the skirt tetras. Here (http://www.liveaquaria.com/product/prod_display.cfm?c=830+890+1563&pcatid=1563) is a picture.

[RDTigger]

Color..

I love Clown Loaches myself.. Color and personality are top notch.

[Wycco]

Horse-faced loaches would probably work quite well... you probably won't see them much- they're shy and some only come out at night. Not as social and needing company as say, Kuhli loaches- but you might still get to see them more if you have a small group of them as oppossed to the individual.

They might disrupt a planted aquarium a little though- you'd need to make sure your plants are well secured.



Personally, I'd highly recommend and echo people's comments on Corydoras. They are the ideal bottom-dweller. Cute, lots of varieties available (although no bright colours), very passive, big enough to not get eaten by most aquarium fish- yet won't eat other fish themselves.

Plus- they school a little, which is always nice to see- and their social habbits are fascinating- watching a full circle of Cory gathered around a food pellet all eating at once is amusing.

They're also more active than almost any other bottom-dweller you'll find.




I think your new stocking list looks very reasonable and well picked. I don't know that I would call your "schoolers" schoolers though - as (unless Kilifish do) those arn't schooling fish... social, but they don't really school.

I also don't know if Raphael Catfish would eat your smaller fish... I may be mistaken but I thought that they were predatorial.

[angyles]

I keep a striped raphael with rummy nose tetras and have no problem. in fact, I got him to keep population control over fry and so far he's failed miserably LOL.

I agree the fish you picked as schoolers aren't really schoolers. They are social fish that like groups though so if that's what you're going for, you got it!! I also agree with the cories. They're such precious little guys, very active and entertaining.