[SpotlessUnicorn]

Hi everyone!

I'm working on my first cichlid tank, what I hope will be an all male peacock/hap tank. The tank is 75g, 48x18 footprint. I've got a fluval FX4 for filtration, and plan to add a sponge filter rated at 900gph. Planning for a 250-300 watt heater.

I've read most of the files in the library and also a bunch of older threads on the forum, but cichlids are so complicated! So I'm hoping for some input into my stock list. I'm thinking the "right" number10 adult males(but please correct me if I'm wrong). My favorite species are listed below, so I'd like to choose singletons from 10...are any in particular that you'd recommend over the others? Or is there a species I've missed that you think I'd like based upon this list?

Auloncara Dragon Blood (on the fence)
Auloncara Walteri
Sunshine
German Red
A.S Ngara
Auloncara Chitanba ( Blue Neon)
Otopharynx Lithobates
Protomelus Spilonotus Tanzania
Otopharynx Blue Otter
Copradichromis Borleyii
Red Empress Hap
Protomelas Steveni Taiwan Reef

Any advice would be appreciated!

 

[DJRansome]

Auloncara Dragon Blood (on the fence)

Aggressive hybrid if you go with timid haps and peacocks.

Auloncara Walteri

Good

Sunshine

Good

German Red

Good

A.S Ngara

Good

Auloncara Chitanba ( Blue Neon)

Good

Otopharynx Lithobates

Good

Protomelus Spilonotus Tanzania

Too big for 75G IMO

Otopharynx Blue Otter

Too big for 75G IMO

Copradichromis Borleyii

Too big for 75G IMO

Red Empress Hap

Too big for 75G IMO. Also looks like borleyi.

Protomelas Steveni Taiwan Reef

Too big for 75G IMO

I'd try for 12 individuals, but stick to fish that mature <= 6".

Some other haps to consider:
Placidochromis electra
Protomelas marginatus
Copadichromis chrysonotus

 

[SpotlessUnicorn]

Thanks so much for the feedback! I was pretty sure the dragon blood would be too aggressive, so thanks for confirming that. And thanks for the suggestions! I definitely don't want fish that are too big!

 

[SpotlessUnicorn]

So if I took out the ones that are too big, then add your suggestions, could I also add an Otopharynx tetrastigma? Looks like it matures to 6" max. So the stocking list would be something like:

Auloncara Walteri
Sunshine
German Red
A.S Ngara
Auloncara Chitanba ( Blue Neon)
Otopharynx Lithobates
Placidochromis electra
protomelas marginatus
copadichromis chrysonotus
topharynx tetrastigma

 

[DJRansome]

Otopharynx tetrastigma would be a good choice, but then swap out the lithobates for a different hap.

Maybe throw in a yellow lab and an acei and call it stocked.

 

[SpotlessUnicorn]

So swap out lithobates for a yellow lab + acei, or swap lithobates for something else, then also add a yellow lab and an acei?

Which hap would you swap for, if the latter? Stocking this thing is so complex!

 

[DJRansome]

The latter.

At this point I would talk to the vendor you will use to check availability. You may not be able to get every fish on your list. I would fill in with a group of yellow labs up to 1m:4f to make up your 12.

 

[SpotlessUnicorn]

Thanks! You are the best!