New tank

[shockshockshad]

On Sunday I am getting the 75 gallon. I am going to decorate it with large pea gravel and wood and rocks. I have no idea on the stocking, but I know I want some sort of larger fish (like oscars, but Central American) and firemouths. And some sort of CA catfish, but I don't know any. What are some suggestions? Note that I am a complete newbie at cichlids so if there are fish that like to be in pairs say "1 pair of ____" or "A school of ____ would be nice".

[cocoa_pleco]

how about a red devil?

[Incredulous_Ed]

Didnt i give you like a huge list in anothe rthread?

[shockshockshad]

Woops! I forgot about that! Sorry ed!

[shockshockshad]

Okay, how is this. Hopefully this is not a terrible stocking list:
1 jack dempsey
3 firemouths
1 nicaragua cichlid
1 salvini cichlid
1 rhamdia catfish

Can I add any more?

[jbeining75]

You might have some problems with the salvini and jack with the firemouths... Provide them alot of cover and alot of hiding places.......

[shockshockshad]

There will be a lot of rocks and wood. Maybe plastic plants too. I really want the jack and the firemouths. I don't have to get the salvini. What other suggestions do you have?

[Nautilus291]

I would keep the salvini out. The jack and salvini are both very territorial and they will fight all the time for territory. You will still have to watch your jack attacking the firemouths. Honestly you wont know untill you try it though. With cichlids you never know what might happen. you could put a bunch of territorial fish in your tank and they all work out or you could put 2 semiaggressive cichilds in a tank and they fight all the time.

[cocoa_pleco]

sounds good, the jack should get along as long as hes small

[Incredulous_Ed]

You will need lots of rockwork. Remember a CA biotype will mostly be rockwork and a bit of driftwood, with little or no plants.

[shockshockshad]

Yeah I was going to have TONS of rocks and maybe 2-3 pieces of medium driftwood. So this will be fine, depending on the cichlids?
1 jack dempsey
3 firemouths
1 rhamdia catfish
1 nicaragua cichlid

Is that fully stocked? They are big fish, but I have heard you need to overstock a little to prevent aggresion. But wouldn't I have to have less fish for larger territories? Or do I want small territories?

[shockshockshad]

I think I am using biospira to cycle the tank. Which fish and how many at a time, because I am using spira, should I add first second third etc?

[Nautilus291]

the overstock thing is for mbuna cichlids not for american cichlids. your list looks pretty good but you'll never know untill you try it out. Have fun setting up your new tank. Add the smaller and less aggressive fish first that way they can establish their territory and then 2 or so weeks later add the more aggressive fish. also It might help if you make sure the more aggressive fish are smaller then the less aggressive fish.

[shockshockshad]

So firemouths first? Then catfish, then nicaragua, then then jack?

[Incredulous_Ed]

Sounds good to me. I dont know much about the sizes or aggresiveness of CA cichlids, so I cant help you so much. sorry

[shockshockshad]

That's okay. Thanks for the help anyway.