Seting up 75 gallon...what biotope

[SandNukka15]

my 75 galon has been up for about a month with just driftwood and floating plants no fish yet. Im considering an Asian or African biotope since my 180 is SA.

I was thinking 6 clown loaches for asian but don't know what else to add.

Or 9 congo tetras, a synodontis and some more fish for an African them tank.

Whatever fish I go with will have to do well with floating plants

Opinions?

 

[duanes]

Since you are thinking clown loaches, there are many gobies, and Anabantoids from that part of Asia (the Malay Peninsula), along with the typical barbs, and rasboras considered dither fish.
I have used the wild type Bettas in my Asian biotopes.
Below Betta albimarginatta


or Betta edithae below

In my Asian (Indian) biotopes I use the Etropline cichlids
Etroplus canarensis

or Etroplus suratensus, although I believe the suratensus would eventually get too large for a 75 (they get almost as big as dinner plates), and they are primarily vegetarian, so not good with plants.
Suratensus below

Video below of suratensus eating dandelions
Etroplus eating dandilions

 

[SandNukka15]

Since you are thinking clown loaches, there are many gobies, and Anabantoids from that part of Asia (the Malay Peninsula), along with the typical barbs, and rasboras considered dither fish.
I have used the wild type Bettas in my Asian biotopes.
Below Betta albimarginatta


or Betta edithae below

In my Asian (Indian) biotopes I use the Etropline cichlids
Etroplus canarensis

or Etroplus suratensus, although I believe the suratensus would eventually get too large for a 75 (they get almost as big as dinner plates), and they are primarily vegetarian, so not good with plants.
Suratensus below

Video below of suratensus eating dandelions
Etroplus eating dandilions

Nice group of fish hopefully some are readily available. Wouldnt barbs pick at the roots of the floating plants?

 

[Hybridfish7]

West african biotopes are hard, whatever smaller schooling fish you probably want to put in them cost an arm and a leg (or two)
As for my suggestion with an Asian biotope, rasboras.
Lots of rasboras.

 

[esoxlucius]

Good choice with clown loach, a word of warning though with them. They can hide, and for long periods too. Diffused lighting is good to encourage them to come out more, so your floating plants will help with this, otherwise you might not see them much other than at feeding time.

To compensate for their possible lack of activity you could get other very active fish to go with them. I love rainbows, there's so many types. I know some come from Madagascar and Northern Australia but most of them come from the area around Papua New Guinea, which fits in with your Asian theme.

Fantastic temperament, colour and activity levels.

 

[Ogertron3000]

Asian would be cool, you don't see them done to much anymore. Like you said loaches are a good start, you could also add some gouramis and as suggested rasboras or some barbs. There's some cool Asian catfish available too. Apparently you can grow rice in a tank too. That would be pretty unique and add to the Asian vibe, they grow long and straight so could be an alternative to Val.
I guess it depends how strict you want the biotope to be, either a general Asian one or focus on a certain country. If you had a giant mega tank you could do a Vietnamese Mekong biotope with the giant catfish, don't think you could get away with it with a 75G unfortunately!

 

[burntrubber]

If you stick with small danios and rasboras for the upper levels, you can have shrimp as well. The only bottom feeder I have kept successfully with shrimp are Kuhli loach.