What fish r best for new 75 gal

[fischersfish]

I have 2 20gal goldfish tanks but wanted cichlids for awhile . So i went out an got a new 75gal tank an plan to fishless cycle it befor i fill it. I want to know how many smaller cichlids i can put in it an what kind r the best to mix in that size of tank? I want a mix of as many different kinds as i can get in the one tank an still keep some peace

[lisafosc]

Things like Convicts, Firemouths, T-bars come to mind! If you want peace in your tank and more than just one pair try not to have fish that may pair off and make babies as then you will never have peace in your tank, the whole time they have babies at least! Just so i know, are you talking Uk or American gallons?

[lisafosc]

Another suggestion maybe to go with the 'Dwarf' Chiclids, depends what kind of fish you have in mind

[fischersfish]

Its a 75 US gallon tank

[DanRad]

I like Lisa's suggestion, but echo her warning re spawning.  If you want a lot of fish in there, and want them to be cichlids, you'll probably do better with some of the African Rift Lake varieties.  They're very colorful, live well in colonies, and provide a lot of activity.  I've kept a couple of species -- Rusty Cichlids (Iodotropheus sprengere), and Yellow-tailed Blue Acei.  Barb is our current African Queen -- mayble she'll see this and have some suggestions for you.  Here is a link you might find helpful:

http://oscarsfishtank.com/discuss/index ... ic=16962.0

Here's a pic of one of the Rusties:  [img]http://i22.photobucket.com/albums/b318/DanRad45/Rusty.jpg[/img]

[Barb Okla]

I can help but what kind of cichlids are U wanting to keep?? African wil let you have MORE and be more active and colorfull.. Americans are big and they can be aggressive and like LISA says, spawning is a problem with them more so than the African cichlids..  (HI LISA!!)

I would place in the cichlids with what ever your water wil let you. Do you know what the pH is ??

Americans cichlids like it low, 6.4 to 7.6.. Africans like it high, 7.8 to 8.6.. So you need to find out what the water is like before you buy any fish.. Africans wil discolor in low pH and Americans wil tolerate it higher but not do as good..

As U have had goldfish, they are easy and really like it either way.. Mine are in a  pond out side at 8.2 pH and are fine..

When you get into the cichlids, then it gets different all together with the pH deal..

YOU can purchase a HIGH range pH LIQUID INSTANT TEST KIT at most fish stores.. OR you can take some TAP water to a fish store that does testing and they wil tell you what you have.. Call ahead to see if they wil do this for you.. PLEASE have them right it down, not tell U that it is fine..

Post back on your findings and we'l go from their..

[fischersfish]

Thanks for all the help first off. Just tested tap water with dip strip an Ph is between 7.8 an 8.4 we have really hard water here an high alkaline in water here. The fish store told me before.I'm planning on getting the better testing kits before filling the tank so i can do all the testing on my own. We were kind of wanting African theres more of them in the stores around here.

[DanRad]

Certainly the water would complement that choice.

[lisafosc]

Would like a Tangyanican community in a 300 uk gal!

How narrowminded was I initially, didn't cross my mind to think of Africans etc