Stocking my 75 gallon

[Mr_Altepeter]

It really depend on what you want in the long run. Unfortunately this question is kkinda like asking someone what you want for lunch. They really can't tell you what to eat. That being said, it also depends on what you are looking for, schools of fish, or one or two monsters? Are you considering live plants? You can see what I have in my tank. Right now it's a 75G probably similar to yours. I am in the process of setting up a 220 to really have fun. Good luck.

The best advice is to research compatibilities with what you have at the moment, and go from there.

 

[mshill90]

After some debating, I have purchased 2 JD's. They are about 2 inches in size. I paid $3 each for them. They are darker in color, as opposed to the lighter colored ones.

The Rainbow shark is NOT liking them, and he is chasing them all over the tank, so I think that he might have to leave.

The JD's don't seem to mind anyone at the moment, and I think the loaches are smart enough to stay away from the JD's. They all checked them out when we put them in, as if to say "welcome to our tank" and then everyone went on their way. The JD's and the loaches are eating side by side right now, let's hope it stays that way.

I do know that a lot of people keep loaches and cichlida together, so I hope there are no problems here.

I am thinking about buying maybe some more JD's or should 2 be the cut off? I've always heard to add odd number fish, so they don't pair off. I also plan on upping my 6 loaches to 12.

Will get pics soon.

 

[Gruff Master]

I wouldn't add another JD especially if you have both a male and female. When grown, the pair will beat up the odd fish out. Plus two JDs with your other stock is plenty for a 75. When you upgrade to a larger tank you can add some more large cichlids. Oh, if your JDs survive the Rainbow Sharks aggression they will turn the tide on it when they gain some size.

 

[mshill90]

I wouldn't add another JD especially if you have both a male and female. When grown, the pair will beat up the odd fish out. Plus two JDs with your other stock is plenty for a 75. When you upgrade to a larger tank you can add some more large cichlids. Oh, if your JDs survive the Rainbow Sharks aggression they will turn the tide on it when they gain some size.

I have 6 clown loaches, and 4 zebra loaches, the rainbow shark and a pleco.

Now the 2 JD's.

My tank is not even close to being over stocked, and I don't know if I have a male and female. I don't think I do because they don't have the "egg markings" on the bottom anal fin. Maybe they are too small to tell.

I don't plan on adding "other" cichlids, I would like to keep all of the same species if possible.

 

[Gruff Master]

All I'm saying is that two JDs will get large enough to require a lot more space in a 75gal tank. Adding even more JDs will take more space and lead to more problems. Clown loaches can grow to over 10''. I doubt they will get that large in a 75. But I still think 12 clown loaches, 3 JDs, and a pleco plus the others will get too big to stay comfortably in that size tank. I would stop at two JDs with your current stock. They are small now but they will get a lot bigger. But if you are getting a larger tank in the future, you could grow them out in your current tank and transfer them to a larger one later.

 

[mshill90]

All I'm saying is that two JDs will get large enough to require a lot more space in a 75gal tank. Adding even more JDs will take more space and lead to more problems. Clown loaches can grow to over 10''. I doubt they will get that large in a 75. But I still think 12 clown loaches, 3 JDs, and a pleco plus the others will get too big to stay comfortably in that size tank. I would stop at two JDs with your current stock. They are small now but they will get a lot bigger. But if you are getting a larger tank in the future, you could grow them out in your current tank and transfer them to a larger one later.

I don't have 12 CL's, only 6 now, and it's going to be awhile before I get more because the LFS only gets one size in, and it's not the size I like.

I have 4 zebra loaches, and they will not be getting any larger. They will only grow to be 4 inches.

Clown loaches are SLOW growers it will be YEARS before they get much larger than they are now. They will be going into a separate tank soon as well, as I am going to start a environment tank that I am going to try to get to mimic their natural habitat. With accurate temp changes, water ph changes etc etc.... It's a project I am going to try, and then once they are larger I am going to try a breeding project, as I know it's only even been done once.

I am getting a 55 gallon tonight, and I don't know what should go in there. Can I make that a cichlid species tank? Or is it too small?

The JD's are super small right now, so they are ok in the 75 for some time so I can find larger.

Good news is the Rainbow shark doesn't bother them anymore and they are having a ball swimming in the school of loaches.

We are going to be building a 3-400 gallon tank in our basement once we finish it into a living area. The JD's and loaches will be going in there once we are all done with it.

For now though, we are going to siphon the 75 gallon tank water into the 55 gallon tank, put all the fish in there for an hour or so, so that we can replace the pebbles in the 75 with sand substrate, and re arrange the set up and get some caves built with some rocks.

 

[Gruff Master]

After some debating, I have purchased 2 JD's. They are about 2 inches in size. I paid $3 each for them. They are darker in color, as opposed to the lighter colored ones.

The Rainbow shark is NOT liking them, and he is chasing them all over the tank, so I think that he might have to leave.

The JD's don't seem to mind anyone at the moment, and I think the loaches are smart enough to stay away from the JD's. They all checked them out when we put them in, as if to say "welcome to our tank" and then everyone went on their way. The JD's and the loaches are eating side by side right now, let's hope it stays that way.

I do know that a lot of people keep loaches and cichlida together, so I hope there are no problems here.

I am thinking about buying maybe some more JD's or should 2 be the cut off? I've always heard to add odd number fish, so they don't pair off. I also plan on upping my 6 loaches to 12.

Will get pics soon.

This is the only reason that I said 12 CLs. Anyway good luck with your tank.

 

[lukester825]

just research the fish that you think you might like, and go with them. There's TONS of information on here, probably the most accurate you'll find.
There are PLENTY of cichlids besisdes JD's, and many many cichlids that can live their entire very happily in a 75.

Angels would do very well with loaches, as would discus.
Salvinis
Some pike cichlids stay small and look great
Severums

Those are just a few of the most common.

 

[koldsoup]

As I am a fan of plecos, I say add more plecos!
You would just want to watch out for aggression though but it seems like you have a lot of hiding places. The plecos that you named are good.


But IMHO, your tank does look kinda empty in the upper regions. I shouldn't exactly be talking though cuz my upper tank is kinda empty too. I just have two medium sized oscars swimming around.

 

[mshill90]

Yeah, it's empty.

I am going to the LFS today, so maybe I'll pick up something new.