I'm going to be setting up a new 75g soon and looking for opinions on some stocking. Right now I have two fish for sure that will be going in and that is an angelfish that I have had for 6 years and a Bolivian ram that is 3 years old. Ideas I have so far are a "fancy" pleco, some kind of schooling fish, corydoras, maybe another angel (depending on purchase size or grow one out). All ideas are welcomed!
Ideas for stocking a new 75g planted tank
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Ive never had Congo tetras before. I've also heard that they are fin nippers. Is there any validity to that?
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None of the tetras from the Congo that Ive had or currently have (I have 4 different African Congo tetra varieties at the moment: 1 phenocogrammus, 2 varieties of alestopetersius and 1 in hemicogrammuspetersius pulcher ) have been "fin-nippers" of other species. They ignore all other fish. However, as a group, African tetras have been more aggressive than their South American counter-parts within the group. This con-specific aggression can be eliminated by keeping in proper size tank and in adequate numbers.
The most common Congo tetra at LFS, phenocogrammus interruptus has not, in my experience, been a fin-nipper. Actually, they have the most mild of temperament of all the Congo varieties that I have kept.
In a 75 gallon tank I would put at least 9 to disperse inter-species aggression. These tetras are beautiful and rewarding when properly kept.
The most common Congo tetra at LFS, phenocogrammus interruptus has not, in my experience, been a fin-nipper. Actually, they have the most mild of temperament of all the Congo varieties that I have kept.
In a 75 gallon tank I would put at least 9 to disperse inter-species aggression. These tetras are beautiful and rewarding when properly kept.
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While I do not find tetra to be huge problem with fin nipping, they can be a bit of problem with angels as they tend to swim under and around the angels and that does often give the angel a nervous feeling which I do not like to see. Often not a real big problem but with the hundreds of great fish to combine, I tend to go with better choices when I can.
Pleco can also fall into the same group when dealing with plants as they do often like to "rasp" on organics and that may mean some damage to plant leaves. Some work okay, some don't, so I no longer keep them in my normal planted tank as it works fine without them! I tend to look for the "low worry" solutions, so look at various algae eaters as a better choice. If I really, really, felt the need for pleco, I might but just not true for me.
Lots of really nice small safe cichlids which work well in 75. Some I like are neets, curvicepts, and those types who do stay small. I do stay pretty much away from the big bully type cichlids in my planted tanks as they are too much trouble but cichlids like the angels and the small folks do work well. Too many folks have tried cichlids like oscars, dempsey, etc. and just never looked further.
Clown loaches for a pair to show lots of color and action without much trouble might fit very nicely in a 75? They may get too big 5-6 years from now but then how long do most of our tanks remain the same for that long?
Pleco can also fall into the same group when dealing with plants as they do often like to "rasp" on organics and that may mean some damage to plant leaves. Some work okay, some don't, so I no longer keep them in my normal planted tank as it works fine without them! I tend to look for the "low worry" solutions, so look at various algae eaters as a better choice. If I really, really, felt the need for pleco, I might but just not true for me.
Lots of really nice small safe cichlids which work well in 75. Some I like are neets, curvicepts, and those types who do stay small. I do stay pretty much away from the big bully type cichlids in my planted tanks as they are too much trouble but cichlids like the angels and the small folks do work well. Too many folks have tried cichlids like oscars, dempsey, etc. and just never looked further.
Clown loaches for a pair to show lots of color and action without much trouble might fit very nicely in a 75? They may get too big 5-6 years from now but then how long do most of our tanks remain the same for that long?
I was thinking of doing some rummynose tetras or black phantom tetras. Also as far as the plecos go I was looking at the Ancistrus.
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