Future 150g Madagascar/Indian Cichlid tank

[emartin]

I just got a used leaking 150g 72"x18"x29" (182.88cm x 45.72cm x 71.12cm) that I am going to reseal soon and build a stand for. Currently this looks like it will be my future Madagascar or Asian cichlid tank and certainly gives me a lot more options than a 75g would!

I still only want to do cheaper species before I take on the rarer and more expensive ones (ultimate goal is to keep Paretroplus menarambo or Paretroplus maramandia).

So, what could I keep that would work in there and not hybridize? I was thinking a species from Ptychochromis, Katria katria, and maybe Paratilapia polleni/bleekeri or a species of Paretroplus that is locally available or maybe Etroplus maculatus.

What do you guys think?

~Ed

[emartin]

Also, anyone know of what non-cichlids I could add? After having a chat with Dave Schumacher since I'm getting the madagascar fish from him when we do the group order soon he said nothing small to eat and nothing big to be stressful so fish between 3-4".

Any thoughts? I'm only familiar with Cichlids and Guppies and not "tropical community fish". He mentioned rainbows but I only know that they're from New Guinea I believe and they are beautiful. Any other fish?

He also said to be careful if I put Katria katria in there and to stay away from having a pair of Paratilapia bleekeri/polleni/marolambo...

Anybody else with any suggestions on non cichlid tank mates?

~Ed

[Sharpfish]

I have ben using Giant Danios and ornate Rainbows with my pair of P. menarambo. I have been together for almost a year and I have had no problems with hem to this point.

[emartin]

Mind posting a picture of your menarambos?

What about plecos, scavengers, etc. I was thinking of clown loaches but figured they may cause a problem during breeding, so I figured dither fish would work best as the intended scavengers...

Anyway thanks for the reply!

[emartin]

In case any of you didn't figure it out, I scrapped this idea a longggggg time ago. I ended up selling the 150g to use the money to pay for more fish LOL.

I'll end up doing a Malagasy tank at some point though...

Paretroplus damii and Paretroplus nourisati are two species I've been wanting to keep for a while now...

[Flareside]

if giant danios are a consideration, I woudl seriously look at rainbows.
I have had a bunch of different species of these guys and some are insanely colored, very active, and are great dithers...

Go to a lfs and see them in real life- as the light reflects off of their head- it appears as if a blaze actually glows, and the glow fluctuates. Its hard to describe here- but go look at them in person and you will see what I mean

[BlondeFishGal]

if giant danios are a consideration, I woudl seriously look at rainbows.
I have had a bunch of different species of these guys and some are insanely colored, very active, and are great dithers...

Go to a lfs and see them in real life- as the light reflects off of their head- it appears as if a blaze actually glows, and the glow fluctuates. Its hard to describe here- but go look at them in person and you will see what I mean

Just FYI... I have rainbows. One of my favs: m. boesemani a true bi-color fish that colors up incredibly. Rainbows in general = very lively fish and do well in groups.

The only problem with Les' suggestion about going to a LFS to see them, is that, unless it is a show tank, they will be juvies. While some species of rainbows will have some color when young, many of them just look pretty plain when they are young. But they get spectacular! I actually talked the owner of a LFS into putting up pictures of the adults on the tanks of juvies that were for sale, to help the hobbyist really see what beautiful fish rainbows turn out to be. It helped his sales and it helped the hobbyists to see what beauties these fish really are.

[Buckcich]

Alessia that's a great idea (having LFS owners placing a picture of what a adult fish looks like). Specially now that most independent LFS are going out of business!!! BUT I STILL DON"T SEE PICTURES IN THEIR TANKS, maybe it's TOO troublesome or "costly" for some of these LFS owners to promote their wares. No wonder they are going out of business. All the BIG retail shops, do!!!!!!!

[Anubias Design]

The other problem with bows in shops is that most are hybrids these days. I only have a few sources that I trust for quality bows. In general, you'll do better to buy from a hobbyist or from a dealer that really tries to ensure that their fish are correct.
Mark