KonaBoy

Well, I'm getting a 75 Gallon this summer, and I've recently ventured into the world of Cichlids So far, I like Angels, Yellow Labs, and Bolivian Rams. The only fish that I consider "essential" is an Angel. Reason being, my girlfriend only "approved" of the tank because she thinks Angels are pretty I heard Yellow Labs are good for beginners, as are Bolivians. Would these three spieces be compatible? From my research, it appears they are, but I want to confirm with some people who know what they're talking about.

For filtration, I was thinking a Hagen Aquaclear 110, and a Visi-Therm Stealth 250 for a heater. I was going to have a sandy bottom (I hear pool filter sand works well). I've heard of people making caves and such out of slate, then siliconing them together. I was just going to give the tank a plain blue background.

I've kept tanks in the past, but nothing big (20 gallons is the biggest), so I know about the Nitrogen Cycle, and the matinence involved, and I'm ready for a commitment. Any other suggestions for me? I won't have this tank set up to the fall, but I like planning it advance Thanks,

Cory

P.S. I've already posted this on the Cichlid-Forum in case someone was going to suggest it.

Allie

Yellow labs are an african cichlids and aren't compatible with angelfish or Bolivian b/c they have different water perimeters, are from a different part of the world and are super aggressive compared to the Bolivian and angels. Angelfish and Bolivian rams are South American cichlids and have the same type of water conditions.
African cichlids from Lake Malawi should be in a species only tank.
I have had keyhole cichlids and kribensis (a west African cichlid) can go with Angelfish to.
Here a site with a compatibility chart for community tanks.
http://elmersaquarium.com/10cichlids.htm

KonaBoy

Well, researched some more, and looks like Labs are out, but it looks like Rams and Angels can go together. I was also thinking about putting something in like a school of Cory's as a clean up (leftover food) crew. What about that?

steveangela1

That sounds like it would work.. you might want to do like we did and test your tap water.. we have a natural high ph and hard water.. its easy for us to do our water changes and treat the clorine/chorimine in that water for the african cichlids.. we don't have to worry about the soft water or the low ph that the angels and rams require...
We also decided to go w/ the africans because they were so active, there is always something going on in the tank..

but this is coming from the same person who is thinking of doing a blue ram tank soon.. Im just worried about getting the ph and hardness down in my tap water at home...

KonaBoy

Ok, well I'm moving this summer (which is why I'm not setting the tank up), so I'll definitely test before I buy anything. What do you think of numbers for the fish? I figure I'd get 6-8 Cory's for the bottom(ish), but I have no idea on the number of Cichlids. I was thinking the temperature could be at 80 (I know that's too "high" for Cory's, but mine are at that right now and they're fine). I believe the p.H. of the city water is around 7, but I'll test regardless. Thanks,

Cory

capekate

Hi Konaboy
That 75g you are going to set up sounds wonderful! You have a wide choice of fish for that tank. If you are interested in doing a SA cichlid tank there are many species to pick from that would do well in that tank. Your PH of 7 will be fine. I have had angelfish with my GBRs and Bolivian rams and they get along fine. My only problem was trying to get the two angels to get along! If you get more than one Angelfish you may have to deal with aggression later on down the road. My two got along great for about 6 months before they got really aggressive.Now Ive had to separate them.
You can try a few Angels and see how it goes, you can try congo tetras, they are beautiful fish, along with the rams and cories. Personally I do not know how the c. tetras will do with angelfish, maybe someone who has kept them together can let you know. The long fins of the Angels may be too tempting for them, I just dont know for sure. But seeing that you need to incorporate the Angels to the tank, the larger SA cichlids will be out of the question. They sure would do nicely in that 75g tho!

steveangela1

Im jealous.. ship me some water... lol... I would love to be able to get water w/ a lower ph out of the tap and softer water.. thats why we won't get south american fish.. I don't want to chemically alter the water for the ph, etc...
your tank is going to be beautiful! My mom has a tank w/ marble angels? I think is the right color? they are black and sliverish.. really beautiful fish.. I have told her she needs some rams in there.. my stepdad is so good on the water changes, etc they could do some harder to maintain fish

KonaBoy

Say if I couldn't do Angels, what are some "pretty" Cichlids? Or, I think GBR would look really nice with Angels if they're compatible

capekate

Well, not cichlids... but how about some gorgeous rainbows? They do fine with angelfish, as mine do. The Boeseman gets quite large up to 4.5 inches, and I have seen adult Boesemans that size! wow! Gorgeous colors for sure.
There are many great colored rainbows that would be very happy in a 75g tank with Angels, including in this group, turquoise, Reds, all grow nicely in your pH. You can google rainbow fish and check out the images and see what you like. The GBRs that I had did fine with Angel fish and my Bolivians are fine as well, no one bothers anyone in that combo.
You could have a large group of assorted rainbows, cories, angel fish, GBRs and Bolivians in that tank. Even some of those gorgeous Congo Tetras as well!

KonaBoy

That seems like it would be a REALLY pretty tank

capekate

..and they would all get along with no agression towards each other. Except like I mentioned, the angelfish lol.... lil devils they are! But they would just bother their own species from my experience.

KonaBoy

Well I don't know if I can find Rainbows except at Wal-Mart So, they might be out, but the rest sounds good. Any suggestions for numbers? Thanks,

Cory

Edit: I'm really like the look of Boeseman's Rainbowfish I wonder if one the the fish stores will order fish...?