Stocking a 75

[fishie111]

I currently have 1 gold severum (just over an inch) and 5 boesemani rainbowfish (about 2 inches, except for one that is about an inch) that I just moved from a 10G QT tank to a 46G bowfront. An odd combination, but it seems to work- the boesemani are pretty keen on getting to their food and the severum has learned to come and get his food as I release it from my hand.

I am in the market for a 75G for this group of fish and I am considering what additional tankmates might work out.

I am tempted to get a second severum as I love my first one already, but I am worried about possible aggression between them and other fish.

I also have a single angelfish in a QT tank that I'm thinking about adding- it's about quarter sized right now- if I add it, should I try to get a second or is it better to keep as a single?

Can I keep both a pair of sevs and a pair of angels together in a 75G?

Are their other cichlids I should consider for this tank? There is a baby oscar with really neat coloring at a local store (tiger, but black/white instead of black/orange), but I don't think I can go larger than a 75G- perhaps a 90G, but a 48in by 18in footprint is my max which I don't think will work for life for the oscar and sev together, even if I move the boesemoni when the oscar and sev are closer to full grown.

To summarize my potential stocking ideas:

Idea 1 (unlikely I know, but thought I'd mention it anyway):
1 oscar
1 severum
1 angel (move to a different tank when oscar gets bigger?)
5 boesemani (move to different tank when oscar gets bigger?)
1 or 2 ancistrus (move to different tank when oscar gets bigger?)

Idea 2:
2 severums
2 angels
5 boesemani
1 or 2 ancistrus

Idea 3:
1 severum
1 angel
5 boesemani
1 or 2 ancistrus
other cichlids?

Should I also consider some kind of bottom feeder along with any of these stocking ideas? Any other ideas?

Thanks!

 

[jpappy789]

Idea 1 is not good as the oscar will take that tank up alone.

Idea 2 wouldn't work well IMO if the angels or sevs pair up.

Idea 3 looks best, although I would add a couple more bosemani if possible.

 

[yikesjason]

I think idea 3 works best but can still use some tweaking.
Maybe a school of corys

 

[snoopy65]

Stocking number 3 looks best to me too....maybe a school of cories or brochis and a pair of rams for the bottom area.

 

[fishie111]

What about keyholes? There are 3 young ones at my local fish store that I am very tempted by.

 

[snoopy65]

I think they would work instead of the rams. I have never had them though. Hopefully someone with experience with them will chime in.

 

[MoonstruckMuse]

Though I don't have firsthand experience with Keyholes either, one of my friends adores them and keeps them with a whole host of community fish, so... I'd think they'd be relatively safe. I like the sounds of this tank! I'm sort of tempted to steal it for myself. =)

 

[Wyomingite]

Think Idea 3 with a coupla keyholes would work. I've kept them in community tanks and never had any problems with aggression. They do get a little territorial/aggressive if they pair up, especially the males, but nothing anything else in that list can't handle. Not talking convict, terrorist-caliber aggressive, BTW. More intolerant of other fish in their proximity. They lay the coolest looking brownish-red eggs. Make good parents. Not that any of the fry would make it in that community.

Wyite

BTW, a coupla cupid cichlids would fit right in as well, if ya can find them. Kept angels, cupids and some larger tetras in a 75 for several years before I moved and got rid of 'em.-WYite

 

[fishie111]

Last night I went to the fish store and the guy there talked me out of the keyholes- I came home with a tiny blue acara and 3 more bows. I'm regretting not taking the keyholes though. Would the following work, or is it too much for a 75?

1 gold severum
1 blue acara
1 angelfish
3 keyholes
8 boesemani
2 ancistrus
+ cories or brochis

 

[Wyomingite]

You're lookin' at 6-8" for the blue acara. They can get a nasty streak. I've never kept them with angels or keyholes. The last ones I kept were in a 225 with a coupla oscars and a sev.

Adding the three keyholes and a school of cories would definitely be pushing stocking limits on the tank. I'd be leary of adding keyholes to the set-up with the acara in it, but that's based mainly on the fact I've never kept the two together and my experience with each species' temperament makes me wonder if the acara would be a bit pushy with them. Not saying it will or won't work. Regardless, adding all three keyholes might be a bit much on the bioload once everybody is full grown.

I must have bad luck with cories. Every time I've ever put them with cichlids other than angels or apistos they get picked on, though I read about other people doing so. So, as far as the cories go I'll defer.

WYite