Recommendations for African biotope?

I dealt with the same problem... there is nothing I know of that fits this category that is widely available. The closest thing I know of are Asian garra species. Apparently there are African garras, which are not available in the hobby, but look similar. So if you went with and Asian garra species it would be sort of right. Otherwise probably just go the bristlenose route.

Also, look into African eels and mormyrids! They are fun additions to the tank. I also have a West African tank with very similar species to what you have.

And there are distichodus species, the silver stays smallerish. Also there are many rare west African cichlids if you have in interest in tracking them down, I have Pelmatochromis ocellifer, and some Madagascar Paretroplus (not quite geographically correct, but ok by my standards). Other cool cichlids include buffaloheads, and Tilapia joka. For dithers you can go Congo tetras, filament barbs, or African red eye tetras. I also have a dwarf giraffe catfish that I really like, although there are many Synodontis species as well.

Re eels: Mastacembelus liberiensis. That species is from West Africa, not the rift lakes. I have one and he is super cool, and very outgoing. Right now much moreso than my fire eel. I got both him and Dwarf giraffe catfish from Wetspot, though they don't have either right now. I think one of the keys with EN is the quarantine them plenty long so they are eating well before they have to compete. And then feeding them at night right before all the lights in the room go out, when they'll have the advantage. Also, they really seem to need live food regularly to thrive, IMO.

What about polypterus?

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Actually Wetspot just got more of the liberiensis eesl in!

Try the african butterfly cichlid a.k.a Thomasi, or jewel cichlids