Is it possible to have a large variety of dwarf cichlids in a 75g tank?

[Complexity]

I knew I'd get myself in trouble with that comment. )

[Zulaab]

ROFL... both of you are funny.. and Nick. I already know from seeing what Vicki has posted in the past she would not be happy with Trophs.
If you want an example of what I would put together in a tang tank WITHOUT trophs ?

The numbers I am about to post makes the assumption that you are going to grow these fish out from 1" size and there will be nothing in there much bigger in the start. Each of the fish I am going to list will get to be about 4-5" in length max and will fit in a 75-90g tank. I prefer taller tanks because it gives me more space to move around with the upper levels of the water.

Upper level -- get 20-25 cyps of one kind or another. (non-jumbo) -- make sure that you have lid on your tank. They are jumpers.. See : Cyprichromis leptosoma or Paracyprichromis nigripinnis.

Midlevel-- 4-6 non aggressive rock work fish like Neolamprologus caudopunctatus or Something like the Julidochromis family of fish.

If less rocks and more open sand, I would look at shell dwellers and sand dwellers rather than the Mid level fish.

There are just so many beautiful fish out there and dont really needs any plants or very few..

Beauty is in the eye of the beholder.

[danielp]

http://davesrarefish.com

Check this site out it will give you great ideas.

You can also call and talk to Dave about stocking ideas.

[Complexity]

Jesper, thank you for the suggestions! That's what I need. I need some kind of foundation on which to start, and then I can add/remove what I like best. For now, I just need a toehold to even figure out where to start. There are a LOT of Tang fish out there!

I haven't bought my 75g yet (keep trying to throw money at places to get it, but no one will place the order for me!). I could go with a 90g. I prefer 75g tanks for light penetration for plants, but that's not a concern if I go with a Tang tank.

Quick question... can I have rock dwellers, sand dwellers AND shell dwellers in the same tank? Or are they completely incompatible?

Daniel, thanks for the suggestion. The url didn't work, but I found him at http://www.davesfish.com/. I'll give him a call to see what he can come up with.

[Complexity]

NOT a critique of the fish suggested, but to give an idea of what I do and don't like.

Cyprichromis leptosoma — not really grabbing me for some reason.

Paracyprichromis nigripinnis — I like these!! Very pretty! I found one called a Neon Blue that's pretty. I'm also seeing some with red bodies and blue fins, very colorful!

Neolamprologus caudopunctatus — apparently, this one is also known as Lamprologus caudopunctatus, correct? Looks white with a yellow fin? I bet ths one's pretty with a dark rock to highlight the white coloring. My only concern is that they might not like the warm water I tend to have in my tanks. My water is generally around 80°.

Julidochromis — I don't know why, but I'm not crazy about these.

Beauty is in the eye of the beholder.

Absolutely!

[Complexity]

Oh, wow, look at these! http://www.tomstanganyikans.com/ (click on photo album)

I definitely like the Cyathopharynx! Now that's pretty! And so are the Cyprichromis! I'm liking the Enantiopus and Neolamprologus, too.

Okay, I want my tank to look like his photo gallery.

[danielp]

Yeah I've struggled copying over url's on here. I'll get it right one day.

Talk to Andy at Fishland about A tank . I know some people have reported struggling with him but I've had good luck and his prices seem to be real reasonable.

[Nickintex]

Beauty is in the eye of the beholder.

Yeah, I can make bait fish look good!

[Zulaab]

Oh, wow, look at these! http://www.tomstanganyikans.com/ (click on photo album)

I definitely like the Cyathopharynx! Now that's pretty! And so are the Cyprichromis! I'm liking the Enantiopus and Neolamprologus, too.

Okay, I want my tank to look like his photo gallery.

Vicki,

Cyathopharynx! -- 1 Male and about 4 females in a 75.. thats it. They are incredibly good looking fish. You would have them and petricola cats and your done with tank. Some scarce rock work and A LOT OF SAND. Males makes some huge breeding pits.. they are good looking. You can prolly get away with putting a colony of cyps in there too.

Enantiopus -- again the same as above.

Neolamprologus -- be careful !!! List what you want before you go buy it.. reason is, they can depending on what they are, be VERY aggressive little guys. Some Neo's are peaceful, others are outright killers...

[Zulaab]

Vicki -- you already have the tank correct ? If not then I would recommend going and getting a 90g tank.. same foot print as a 75, but you have more front glass and more space for fish to swim.

[Complexity]

Talk to Andy at Fishland about A tank . I know some people have reported struggling with him but I've had good luck and his prices seem to be real reasonable.

No offense, as I know you are trying to be helpful, but I'll get out of the hobby before I give Andy one penny of my money.

http://www.houstonfishbox.com/vforums/showthread.php?t=29875

But I digress...

[Nickintex]

No offense, as I know you are trying to be helpful, but I'll get out of the hobby before I give Andy one penny of my money.

http://www.houstonfishbox.com/vforums/showthread.php?t=29875

But I digress...

Good one danielp!
Just opened up a can of worms there.

[Complexity]

Yeah, I can make bait fish look good!

And probably talk the fisherman/woman who was going to use it as bait to put it in a tank along with even more bait... and make them glad they did!

Vicki -- you already have the tank correct ? If not then I would recommend going and getting a 90g tank.. same foot print as a 75, but you have more front glass and more space for fish to swim.

Nope, I haven't bought it. I went to Fish Ranch II on Thursday to order it, but Nick wanted to check out a quick change to the canopy for me. I didn't hear back from him on Friday (and didn't call on Saturday because he has to call DFW on it). So tomorrow. I have to get it ordered by tomorrow. I want it to be ready for me to pick up by Friday.

I may have to start calling around to find a place that will simply place the order and take my money. This is the second time I've had an extremely difficult time getting a setup like this. I don't know why. I went through the same problem when I got my first 75g setup. I'm soooo beyond ready to order, but the stores won't give me prices so I can place the order.

[Complexity]

Good one danielp!
Just opened up a can of worms there.

No problem. We'll just get some fish to eat the worms. )

Marching onward...

[Nickintex]

And probably talk the fisherman/woman who was going to use it as bait to put it in a tank along with even more bait... and make them glad they did!

I'm serious. I have tank with natives brackish killies, commonly sold as mud minnows used for flounder bait!