South American Cichlids • stocking options 75

[sherco]

My Oscars will get their new home next week so my 75 will be empty. I am drawn to the beautiful fish of South or Central America. I would love to have a pair of large fish (75 gallon, appropriate) that can be semi-aggressive but won't kill each other when they mate. I plan to get 5 or 6 juvies and let them pair off.

There are so many lovely cichlids but every time I find one I like, they are too big for a 75. I have 38 years in the hobby and I have Oscars, have Angels, have had Discus, have had Africans, so they are out. I am drawn towards Severums so that is a look I like.

Any ideas? Thanks.

[JRW81]

Since you’re drawn to severums a 75 would be good for a pair. I use to have two in a 75 with a large school of tetras and corys. It made a really good looking and active tank

[thornsja19]

Severums would be fine. And if you liked the Angels, a Severum/Angel mix is fairly common and works well. I didn't want to add it to my signature yet in case it doesn't work out, but I just added 3 Platinum Angels to the 60g in my signature. Going very smoothly so far.

[sherco]

Since I have very hard water that I have to use RO/DI water mix to keep pH low for my blue angels, I have decided to go for an Mbuna tank with my other 75. But I have a planted tank with angels, are you saying I could put some Severums in that tank?

[JRW81]

I wouldn’t recommend severums in a planted tank. I’ve tried many different plants with them and they have eaten all of them

[Vociferus]

I have 2 severums in a 75G planted. They did eat one plant but have left my Java Fern and Annubias alone.

[sherco]

Thanks. I am going to concentrate on the mbuna tank for now but I appreciate the info from you both.