One, a pair or many

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MrGuyPerson

Feeder Fish
MFK Member
Mar 5, 2007
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Syracuse, NY
I have a 75 gallon tank that may soon be free as its current resident seems to be outgrowing it. I was thinking about CA cichlids. I have been hung up on what I really want to get out of the tank, however. I'm not sure if I want a single specimen, a pair or a community of smaller fishes. I really like Parachromis species, and would love a pair, but I've read too many varied accounts of whether a pair can get along long term. I would like to avoid having to use a divider as this is my main display tank. Other ideas I've tossed around are a pair of salvini, or a Thorichthys community with serpae tetras and/or swordtails. Then I get hung up on the fact that I like big fish.... I like the idea of live plants, but that's not a necessity (and I know quite pointless in many cases).

So, if you had a 75 gallon as a display, what would you do (single, pair, community, and what fishes) and why one vs another?

Also, as an aside, have any of you tried using quick-growing floating plants such as duckweed for algae control and supplemental nutrient control (not a replacement for WC of course...)? I could see it being quite useful, and adding a natural look to the tank both because of the cover, and the diffusion of light into the tank. I could also see it being a pain during WC's, or with filters. Just wondering...
 
i think you should go with whatever you choose i have 3 uaru, 2 bala sharks and 1 texas and they all get along fine
 
i'd go with something from the parachromis genus jeff rapps is fairly close to you i'd bet you could get away with a pair of rtm in a 75 or you could get a male escondido or possibly something from the midas complex
 
To answer your question..I would rather have a single specimen tank. I used to have three 75gallon tanks and all three were different. One had a single Barred Midas, 2nd were plants, Pair of Sajica Cichlid and a few killifish and clown loaches and my 3rd was an african tank..1M Peacock, 3F Peacock and 3 blue dolphins. The tank that got everyone's attention was the Midas tank all because of his attitude and glass banging. But just be aware that if you go single specimen, the tank's decor would have to be pretty plain.
 
I'm OK with a bare look. The tank is currently a bare bottom with PVC pipe for my lungfish (the guy who's nearly outgrown the tank), so it's about as plain as it gets. I'd probably add a substrate, some rocks and driftwood to change things up, though.

I like the idea of being able to watch a breeding pair, but I guess I could always get some convicts to do that in a small tank, and provide free feeders.
 
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