I happen to like biotopes, and putting together a group of fish and plants that would actually live together in nature, and trying to make it work fascinates more senses for me than just looking in a glass box.
Since you mention trimics, one of those biotopes could be Lake Isabel, in Guatemala.
Although trimacs don't often tolerate the presence of other cichlids when mature, in your size tank it just might work.
These are just some I have kept;
Beside trimacs, Parachromis multifasciatus, and Cincelichthys bocourti are found in the lake (among others)
If all bought and raised together 3 pair might just equitably divide up the tank.
Other non-cichlids from the lake might also add interest, it contains a number of goby species (a couple I have kept, and tend to be ignored by the cichlids I have kept.
Awaous banana
and Eleotris picta
There are plenty more non-cichlids like Tetras and live bearers from the lake that could work work depending of the eating habits or your main cichlids
But not just fish, the lake contains a number aquatic plants like Hydrilla and Vallisneria (both of which I'm using in my Panamanian biotope tanks).
But this is just one example.
The Nicaraguan Lakes, Lake Amatitlan, Lake Peten or Mexican Cenotes all offer unique lake combinations, and interesting options (not to mention riverine habitats and biotopes).
As you can see for me, its not just about throwing some random fish together that would never encounter each other in reality.
Since you mention trimics, one of those biotopes could be Lake Isabel, in Guatemala.
Although trimacs don't often tolerate the presence of other cichlids when mature, in your size tank it just might work.
These are just some I have kept;
Beside trimacs, Parachromis multifasciatus, and Cincelichthys bocourti are found in the lake (among others)
If all bought and raised together 3 pair might just equitably divide up the tank.
Other non-cichlids from the lake might also add interest, it contains a number of goby species (a couple I have kept, and tend to be ignored by the cichlids I have kept.
Awaous banana
and Eleotris picta
There are plenty more non-cichlids like Tetras and live bearers from the lake that could work work depending of the eating habits or your main cichlids
But not just fish, the lake contains a number aquatic plants like Hydrilla and Vallisneria (both of which I'm using in my Panamanian biotope tanks).
But this is just one example.
The Nicaraguan Lakes, Lake Amatitlan, Lake Peten or Mexican Cenotes all offer unique lake combinations, and interesting options (not to mention riverine habitats and biotopes).
As you can see for me, its not just about throwing some random fish together that would never encounter each other in reality.
