Congo biotope - need advice

[VPBassist]

Hey Guys. I would like to set up a Congo River biotope tank. Stocking list is: Buffalo-head cichlids, jewel cichlids, senegal bichir, african brown knifefish, leopard leaf fish, possibly a Distichodus sexfasciatus. The tank is going to densely planted (I'm running a pressurized Co2 system and DIY lighting). The things I need help with are, how much flow should I have in the tank? I know that these fish are used to fast flowing water, so how many gph should I be moving in a 75g tank? As for ground cover, is sand best for bichirs? Ive seen a few pictures and videos of Congo tanks and they always seem to have standard gravel for substrate rather than sand. I understand that this is a very specific tank so it might be hard to answer.

Thanks in advance, Scott.

 

[fishyzoo]

What are the dimensions of your planned tank?

My congo tank, which is no longer a biotope, contains mormyrids, bush fish, synodontis and a ornate bichir. It is a 186 imperial gallons.

Your mix won't work. The knife fish, block heads and bush fish will be fine. The jewels are far too aggressive and the Distichodus gets massive and will eat all your plants. Cant comment on the senegal. 75g is not a lot of room to play with so stick to smaller fish. You could try some mormyrids.

If you want a riverine look you want sand and bog wood only no rocks as sediment deposition would have covered any.

 

[Andrewtfw]

You may want to consider swapping the jewels for pelvicachromis, pelmatochromis, or one of the many other west african cichlids that are not aggressive. As for the distichodus, as already mentioned, size, diet and aggression (likely to pick at other fish), rule it out for a 75g.

 

[VPBassist]

Thanks guys. I actually bought a 90g and I have decided to cut out the jewels and the Distichodus. A little too ambitious for the space.