hey guys, I’m going to be purchasing a 75 gallon tank (standard 48x18x21 footprint) this weekend and would like to set up a SA cichlid community tank. I am hoping to keep a pair of EBAs and group of 4-5 geophagus tapajos or steindachneri along with a group of dithers and an l201 snowball pleco that I currently have in a 40g. Is this advisable or should I reconsider my stock? If this is okay do u have any dithers in mind that could coexist with EBAs? And are EBAs compatible with live plants? I have no experience keeping them. Thanks
75 gallon stocking advice
- Thread starter AV23
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I had all these at different times in a 75 gallon tank. EBA are great and mine never bothered my plants (all anubias). I didn't have much luck with tapajos since I started with 6 and once they hit around 4" I lost 3 to aggression but my group was maybe really male heavy. I sold the rest shortly after. Steindachneri are great stay smaller and would fit for life in a 75.
I think the larger growing Geo's like Tapajos would do much better in a 6 foot long tank for the long term. I would consider a 75 a grow out tank for them.
I think the larger growing Geo's like Tapajos would do much better in a 6 foot long tank for the long term. I would consider a 75 a grow out tank for them.
It should be fine, it's a very common combination. I even had the same st up with columbian tetras as dithers and no issues. I had mainly Java fern and Anubis as plants, lots of driftwood and it was actually a nice tank
I'm not familiar with the Pleco but guess it will be o.k as long as it doesn't get too big.
I'm not familiar with the Pleco but guess it will be o.k as long as it doesn't get too big.
Appreciate the feedback guys.
Steindachneri max size is smaller than the tapajo? I’ll get steins in that case. I’ve had tapajos in the past and the largest in my experience was just over 6 inches or so. They’re pretty feisty tho. Are their any other geo species I could consider?
Yeah Colombian tetras were actually one of the dithers I had in mind. Either that or emperors. The L201 stays around 5-6 inches so it should be good
Steindachneri max size is smaller than the tapajo? I’ll get steins in that case. I’ve had tapajos in the past and the largest in my experience was just over 6 inches or so. They’re pretty feisty tho. Are their any other geo species I could consider?
Yeah Colombian tetras were actually one of the dithers I had in mind. Either that or emperors. The L201 stays around 5-6 inches so it should be good
I like the steindachneri Idea. I have only kept a single specimen, not a group, so cant speak to their conspecific aggression. Mine was not overly aggressive but not a pushover, In a slightly larger tank with south American cichlids. I think your other stock ideas should be fine, though it will be a little bit on the heavy side, and with a breeding pair of the acaras it might be tight for territory. I would pick either EBAs or geos, I think long term this may end up being too much for the 75.
between the EBAs and steindachneri, to me it's no contest, the iridescence on the sides of the geo are amazing
between the EBAs and steindachneri, to me it's no contest, the iridescence on the sides of the geo are amazing
Yeah that was my worry as well. Six or seven mid sized cichlids in a 4ft tank could be pushing it, even if they are on the peaceful side. Unfortunately I don’t think I can go larger than 4ft atm with the space that I have available. I originally was planning on a 125. That’s a nice stein, they fare alright as single specimen?
Mine seemed to live a happy enough life as a single specimen. Would ha have preferred a group, maybe, who knows. I have read that males are quite aggressive to each other. But perhaps a single male and 3 or 4 females would be a nice group.
I had a pair of Red Head Tapajos that took over the whole 60 gallon tank when trying to breed. Picking off tetras and stuff. Males like to harass more than i like. They would do better like 6-8 of them in at least a 100 gallon or 120.
there's also some small ACARA not electric blue that Jeff Rapps sells that are epic and would work in a 75 gallon with good water.
there's also some small ACARA not electric blue that Jeff Rapps sells that are epic and would work in a 75 gallon with good water.