Help me create the "most interesting" 100 gallon cichlid-based tank

[valeldc]

I'm creating a tank for my young daughter so we can share the hobby together (while re-kindling my love of fish when I grew up!) She is already on her way, and I'm hoping this new 100 gallon can be a showcase for fish that have interesting behaviors she can learn about.

Does anyone have any fun ideas? I'd like each inhabitant to be different in some way.

Here are my current ideas; understand I can't have it all because of tank size!

- Geophagus Tapajos colony (already have these and they're incredibly interesting with sand sifting, interacting with each other, mouth fry rearing)
- Uaru (I've always enjoyed watching them eat leafy greens with such precision & intelligence)
- A variety of Severum (to show her that great variety of a very cool fish that I've always loved)
- Panda Garra (one of my favorite bottom dwellers; kind of like a pleco, kind of like a cory... always searching for biofilm)
- Freshwater Archer Fish (obvious reasons, can setup target practice periodically)
- Some smaller schooling fish that won't get eaten

What would you add?

 

[tlindsey]

I'm creating a tank for my young daughter so we can share the hobby together (while re-kindling my love of fish when I grew up!) She is already on her way, and I'm hoping this new 100 gallon can be a showcase for fish that have interesting behaviors she can learn about.

Does anyone have any fun ideas? I'd like each inhabitant to be different in some way.

Here are my current ideas; understand I can't have it all because of tank size!

- Geophagus Tapajos colony (already have these and they're incredibly interesting with sand sifting, interacting with each other, mouth fry rearing)
- Uaru (I've always enjoyed watching them eat leafy greens with such precision & intelligence)
- A variety of Severum (to show her that great variety of a very cool fish that I've always loved)
- Panda Garra (one of my favorite bottom dwellers; kind of like a pleco, kind of like a cory... always searching for biofilm)
- Freshwater Archer Fish (obvious reasons, can setup target practice periodically)
- Some smaller schooling fish that won't get eaten

What would you add?

Welcome aboard
I would add smaller species of Cichlids, Bronze Corydora group, Tetra group but no Buenos Aires. I'm at work but others will chime in with their thoughts.

 

[Blakewater]

I would get a pair of peaceful cichlids as the centerpiece with a few smaller geophagus. I know from personal experience kids love polypterus too, maybe add 2 Senegal or delhezi bichirs in as well?

 

[Gourami Swami]

Kids would probably think the archer colony was cool. I know I would!
I would say just don't get aggressive fish or take risks with the stocking, kids will get attached to the fish and be sad if they were to kill one another, or one had to go back to the store for bad behavior.