Looking for the final species for my South American community

[sean8641]

Hello all, I have a 75 gallon tank that is nearly done cycling, so I am looking to finalize my planned stock list. Here is the list of fish I am planning on getting:

1 red spotted severum
1 electric blue acara
1 angelfish, hopefully a blue Smokey pinoy or something similar
1 pleco, green or blue and appropriately sized

I would like to add one or two more fish to my list to round it out, but am not sure what. I considered a pair of blue rams, but have heard they can be a bit sensitive. Does anyone have any suggestions for a colorful, peaceful fish that would go with my planned list?

 

[tlindsey]

Does anyone have any suggestions for a colorful, peaceful fish that would go with my planned list?

I suggest skip any more cichlids and add a group of high body Tetra such as Serpae or Bleeding Heart tetra.

 

[sean8641]

I suggest skip any more cichlids and add a group of high body Tetra such as Serpae or Bleeding Heart tetra.

I like the Bleeding Heart tetras and would definitely consider getting a group. Do you have any experience keeping them with angelfish? I’d just be worried about them going after the angels fins

 

[tlindsey]

I like the Bleeding Heart tetras and would definitely consider getting a group. Do you have any experience keeping them with angelfish? I’d just be worried about them going after the angels fins

Do you have any experience keeping them with angelfish?

Never kept them with Angelfish.

 

[HUKIT]

Have you thought about skipping the pulcher and efasciatus and just doing 5-7 scalare and maybe a small school your choice of tetra of your choice? You may end with less if they start becoming aggressive while pairing up. I’ve had 2 pairs spawning in a 75g for quite a few years while tolerating 3 additional fish.

 

[Jarneyg]

Nice list! For a 75 gallon, you might like a school of Rummy Nose Tetras. They stay together really well and that bright red face would pop against the blue of your Acara.

If you want something bigger, maybe look at Festivum Cichlids. They're pretty chill and usually get along great with Severums and Angels.

 

[Roger Mcfish]

Nice list! For a 75 gallon, you might like a school of Rummy Nose Tetras. They stay together really well and that bright red face would pop against the blue of your Acara.

If you want something bigger, maybe look at Festivum Cichlids. They're pretty chill and usually get along great with Severums and Angels.

I wouldn't do both angels and festivums in a 75. Either or

 

[sean8641]

Have you thought about skipping the pulcher and efasciatus and just doing 5-7 scalare and maybe a small school your choice of tetra of your choice? You may end with less if they start becoming aggressive while pairing up. I’ve had 2 pairs spawning in a 75g for quite a few years while tolerating 3 additional fish.

That was actually my original plan, but I decided against it due to the potential for aggression issues if pair forms

 

[sean8641]

Nice list! For a 75 gallon, you might like a school of Rummy Nose Tetras. They stay together really well and that bright red face would pop against the blue of your Acara.

If you want something bigger, maybe look at Festivum Cichlids. They're pretty chill and usually get along great with Severums and Angels.

I’ve always been a big fan of rummynoses. I think they would bring some good movement and color to the tank. I’ll have to do some more research though, as I was under the impression that they are too small to be kept with severum or eba.

I wouldn't do both angels and festivums in a 75. Either or

I’d really like to have an angel, so I think I’ll pass on a festivum

 

[sean8641]

Last weekend I went and got a red spotted severum, a small EBA, and six Colombian tetras. So far they’re all doing well and I’m really enjoying watching them. The severum has been very shy so far, but last night it came out a little more. This morning it even came to the surface to eat, so I think it’ll continue to come out of its shell as it adjusts to the new environment.

Over the next several weeks I plan to add some more fish. I really like the activity of the tetras, and am considering adding a group of 6 green corydoras.

One option is to go with an angelfish, the corydoras, and 5-6 more tetras. I think if I increase the amount of tetras it will help keep them from going after the angel.

Alternatively, I could get a second EBA, corydoras, and choose between more tetras or a larger bottom feeder like a Bristlenose pleco or spotted Raphael catfish. I could also do something like a festivum or keyhole cichlid instead of the EBA, since I’m not sure I want to risk any breeding aggression if I get a pair.