ID Fish and Fish to add to shopping list

[LokiKiku]

Okay, so I decided to make my 75 gallon aquarium into a tank where I can prize beautiful fish in. Generally it will be semi-agressive but truthfuly I'm look for fish that can co-exist in the tank and not have TO many quarrels, at least no to th epoint of killing others. At this moment I'm goin through renovations with my tanks. I have a 30 gallon ready for breeding ( I will probably start Emperor tetras or some egg-layer) My fish are in holding in a 10 gallon tank: 1ft Pleco (Which surprisngly is comfortable) 2 African cichlids (Which I need identifyed) and a Clown Loach. I want to ID The African Cichlids, they are Dark brown with not that much lighter stripes up and down the body. Only about 2.5 inches I believe. My observations they are generally a bottom to mid-level fish, only a little bit shy but still perfers hiding places. Of course, I could be describing numerous species of Cichlidae. They have the body of Pombo Rock Cichlids except Brown and shorter and less elaborate dorsal fins.

Those are the best I could get. If you could identify them, it'd make my day.
So far the list of fish that I have on my shopping/wishlist are: Flag cichlid, Kirbensis, Rams, and an Black Ghost Knife. I'm trying to choose fish that will grow, but stay in harmony. I'll get the Knifefish small and raise it that way I can enjoy them all, then, when they get to big, I'll move them and fill the spots with more large fish that the Ghost Knife won't eat. I'm keeping my eyes peeled for a Ghost knife and a Flag Cichlid not to common to find localy for me.

I'm looking for fish that can tolerate my pre-existing fish: Afr. Cichlids (the ones in photos) Clown Loach (I may get more then one) and my 1ft Pleco ( Though I doubt anything would bother it.) My aunt also has some convics she's offering to me (Though I have my worries about how they will tolerate its Tank-mates) I could either: Let thme breed in tank for extra food to go around (though they could get terretorial with their young?) Or breed them seperately for feeders for later snacks for larger fish in the future.

So, what cichlids would you suggest and what's wrong (If any) with the fish I have (Or on the list of wants.)

I'd appreciate the feedback guise
P.S.: If this is in the wrong section of the forum I apologize.

 

[Lab_Rat]

Looks like female Metriaclima greshakei to me, though it's very possible they could be hybrids as well. I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but those mbuna aren't going to work with your stocking plans. Mbuna are aggressive fish and do best with other mbuna. Many people overstock them to minimize aggression. The clown loaches may work with the mbuna (or may not, depends on how aggressive your mbuna are) but they need to be in schools since they are social fish. The flag cichlid, kribs, and rams will likely be butchered by the mbuna, not to mention dietary incompatibilities and differences in communication styles between old world and new world cichlids. I don't have experience on BGK so I won't comment on those, other than that seems like a very bad idea with mbuna. Convicts in the mix would not be a good idea either.

If I were you, I'd take note of what other african mbuna you like and do a mbuna tank. Get the clown loach a couple of buddies. The plec will outgrow (has outgrown) the 75g, so I'd try to find someone with a 125g+ tank to take him.

 

[LokiKiku]

Now that the fish have situated the pair that a chose are very friendly towards the Loach and Pleco, they have come out of hiding and swimming fine. I researched a little on Mbunas and, you're right, they are fiesty. And they are best kept in schools, but, possibility it could be not a Mbuna? This is why I wished, in the fish departments of petstores/etc. that they would put the actual name and not ' Mixed African Cichlids ' I'll research more in depth on it. I have such limited space only 4 tanks, 75, 30, 10x2 gallons.

In any case, got any ideas for cichlidae or other fish to go along with my list of wants? Convicts I did rule out. the fish I'm looking for are fish that wont be eaten by a BGK, but I don't want it to overcrowd my 75 Since BGK's can grow to around 20" I suppose something with enough bulk and brains to run-away but not beat him up. Gentle giants!

 

[Lab_Rat]

When those two africans you got get settled in, I would be very surprised if they're gentle. Mbuna do best with other mbuna. There are so many types of mbuna out there, you can choose from species with all sorts of colors and patterns. I would not mix peacocks or haps with mbuna, I've had mbuna kill some very nice venustus that were twice their size. Most of the "mixed african cichlids" in a pet store are going to be mbuna, and within that they're mostly hybrids.

 

[LokiKiku]

Ah, so Mbunas are nasty little buggers. That's what I shall classify them as, I guess I could keep them seperate from my large tank, as you can tell I'm fairly new with cichlids. So I guess I'll stay away from the mixed tanks and just pick out ones that I DO know, like Kirbensis, rams, keyholes, etc.

So, got any ideas for cichlids to look out for? Specifics if you can, I appreciate the help from you : )

 

[Lab_Rat]

Yes, mbuna are very territorial and can get quite nasty with each other. If you want to take the 75g in a different direction and not mbuna, I'd recommend returning the two mbuna you have. Most mbuna really need a 4' tank minimum, those girls will hit about 5". There is also the issue that with just two of them, there is a good chance soon there will just be one. Mbuna live densely packed in the wild, you won't get their true behavior just having 2, and the 2 won't get the proper social interactions they need. And definitely stay away from mixed tanks, no knowing what you'll get!

If you're wanting to do more of an American cichlid tank then rams, keyholes, kribs could all work (kribs are african but riverine so similar parameters to the American cichlids vs. rift lake). Depending on how many of each you want/breeding pairs, it could be possible to have all 3 species in a 75g since it's such a large footprint. You'll want a lot of decor to break up lines of site. All those fish are primarily in the lower strata of the aquarium. You'll want to fill out the rest of the tank (mid and upper levels). An angelfish could make a good addition, or some festivums. I'd put a couple of schools of fish in there too. Rosy barbs are attractive and make great cichlid dithers for the mellow cichlids.

If you want something with a little more aggression than rams, you could do some Cryptoheros cutteri. They're similar to convicts, but a lot cooler looking and a lot less aggressive. I wouldn't keep them with rams though. Rainbow cichlids would be another good CA option. Severums are nice fish as well. Just remember, if you opt for some of the larger species, when they mature the smaller fish may get eaten (I would not keep rams or kribs with some of the larger cichlids). There are a ton of things you can do with a 75g, I'd recommend figuring out what is available to you, what you like, then doing some research to find out if they're compatible before buying.

 

[LokiKiku]

Thanks for the suggestions! I plan to remove the smaller fish out of the tank when other fish get to large and the smaller fish are potential meal for a hungry fish. Yeah, I'm looking for dazzling fish that can co-exist with eachother, tricky tricky.

 

[Lab_Rat]

Other species you can look into are the Thorichthys species. The elloti are pretty stunning as are the pasionis. Good luck with your search.