Dwarf cichlids: multiple pairs?

Lazonby

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Dec 6, 2002
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I'm about to start up a 75g heavily planted tank. My fish of choice are dwarf cichlids. Judging from previous experience, a breeding pair takes up about a 15-25 gallon area, or about a 2 foot radius of point zero.

Would a tank this size hold 3 different pairs and still be relatively peaceful? One pair will be my existing Kribs, then 2 pairs (both different species) of apisto's--maybe Agassizzis or Cockatoos--I haven't decided yet.
There will also be tetras (cardinal) and maybe some loaches (not too many, maybe 3, 2 yo-yo's and a zebra).

Do you think this will work?
 
Instead of multiple pairs, you can have one male and multiple females to make a harem. If I'm not mistaken, this is preferred. (If nothing else, I'm sure the male cichlid would prefer it...)
 
Kribs are a bit large to be considered true dwarf cichlids, and would likely be too much for the apistos to handle.

Without the kribs, you could probably get two different groupings of apistos or other true dwarfs in that tank (a trio of each would also be very feasible if you pick a species that is a harem spawner).
 
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