75g Tank Fish Recomendation

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Just got my first 'big' set up - a basic 75g tank. The main point of
the tank was to hold a rapidly growing group of Silver Dollars. But
other than that, I'm open for recommended fish. I've never had a tank
>20g before, so don't know much about anything larger than an inch or two.

I'm open to any recommendations - but would be especially open to
"interesting" fish. And by interesting, I don't just mean color/fins
etc. Are there fish biologically different from your basic tetras that
would still cohabitate and not require too much maintenance? Off the
top of my head, I'm thinking of things like gars, but don't really know
how biologically different they really are, or if they work in a basic
home tank.

Thanks in advance for any help,
Sal

[End User]

On Mon, 29 May 2006 14:31:39 -0500, > wrote:

> Just got my first 'big' set up - a basic 75g tank. The main point of
> the tank was to hold a rapidly growing group of Silver Dollars. But
> other than that, I'm open for recommended fish. I've never had a tank
>> 20g before, so don't know much about anything larger than an inch or
>> two.
>
> I'm open to any recommendations - but would be especially open to
> "interesting" fish. And by interesting, I don't just mean color/fins
> etc. Are there fish biologically different from your basic tetras that
> would still cohabitate and not require too much maintenance? Off the
> top of my head, I'm thinking of things like gars, but don't really know
> how biologically different they really are, or if they work in a basic
> home tank.
>
> Thanks in advance for any help,
> Sal
>

===================
Silver Dollars will do well with an exterior power filter with a
BIO-Wheel, and keep the water between 78*F and 82*F. Being that Silver
Dollars are vegetarians, they will do well on flake food, when they are
small..later add a pellet food to their menu. Even though Silver Dollars
are said to eat only vegetation in their natural habitats, they seem to
enjoy eating a few Black Worms.

Silver Dollars are good tank mates for Angels that are about the same size
as the Silver Dollars. Swordtails and Mollies. Also White Tip Shark Cats,
Plecostomus Catfish, and Pictus Catfish are also good tank mates for
Silver Dollars.

Silver Dollars are often seen in aquariums with Gouramis, Giant Danios,
Rainbows, a group of Bala Sharks, and a group of Clown Loaches.

The larger Silver Dollars are sometimes seen in large aquariums with
Neotropical Cichlids such as Jack Dempseys, Firemouths, and even Oscars.
But of course the Silver Dollars must be large and swim very fast to stay
away from the aggressive cichlids.

Silver Dollars can grow to 6" and probably larger. They live for several
years.
HTH

--
-Save The Planet For Another Day...

[Dick]

On 29 May 2006 12:31:39 -0700, wrote:

>Just got my first 'big' set up - a basic 75g tank. The main point of
>the tank was to hold a rapidly growing group of Silver Dollars. But
>other than that, I'm open for recommended fish. I've never had a tank
>>20g before, so don't know much about anything larger than an inch or two.
>
>I'm open to any recommendations - but would be especially open to
>"interesting" fish. And by interesting, I don't just mean color/fins
>etc. Are there fish biologically different from your basic tetras that
>would still cohabitate and not require too much maintenance? Off the
>top of my head, I'm thinking of things like gars, but don't really know
>how biologically different they really are, or if they work in a basic
>home tank.
>
>Thanks in advance for any help,
>Sal

I have had my 75 gallon tank for over 3 years. You have some
decisions to make and it is hard to do for someone else.

Things to consider:

What are the chemical measurements and do you want to adjust to the
fish you want or get fish that can live with what you have? I like to
keep my tank simple, no chemicals, only "low light" plants, but I do
believe in frequent partial water changes. I change 20% twice weekly.

Do you want to have a community tank or one dedicated to say Cichlids?
Large fish or shoals of smaller fish?

Fish seem to like to hide, some people build caves or my ornaments
that have openings into their interior. I do use ornaments, but also
I have lots of plants.

Tetras can be fin nippers, the red serpaes don't seem to be too
aggressive.

I don't know "gars", but be careful with exotic fish. They usually
need special food and water conditions.

I would try to look at tanks at your local fish store and friends.
Get familiar with what others have done. Ask questions as you think
of them. Be aware that people have different experiences and develop
their own rules. Feeding is one of the big choices. It is easy to
overfeed, fish always seem to be hungry, but too much food will spoil
and turn the water milky.

I can ramble on and never answer the questions you have in mind.

One expense you might consider is a digital thermometer with hi/lo
alarm. Heaters do stick sometimes and in the winter a heater failure
can leave your tropicals feeling they are in the arctic.

Expect some illness and death. Especially the first year. There are
lots of problems with the first fish until the tank "cycles." Start
off with a few hearty fish that you can accept their dying. Once the
tank has cycled in a month or so, then add the fish you really want.

Be careful about live bearers, they are fun to watch breed and bear
young fish, but they overdue it, never know anything about "family
planning." I finally separated the boys from the girls and put a stop
to the never ending nurseries.

I am rambling, just adding thoughts. I guess you can see you are on
the brink of a world of discovery.

dick

I like a mix, but especially like Siamese Algae Eaters, they grow to
about 6 inches, and they shoal. I also like Clown Loaches, the 2
types mix very well. I have had angel fish and Gouramis. The angels
are fancy to look at. Both are community fish. My favorite smaller
fish are Red Serpae fish. They have lots of color and they shoal.

[Altum]

wrote:
> Just got my first 'big' set up - a basic 75g tank. The main point of
> the tank was to hold a rapidly growing group of Silver Dollars. But
> other than that, I'm open for recommended fish. I've never had a tank
>> 20g before, so don't know much about anything larger than an inch or two.
>
> I'm open to any recommendations - but would be especially open to
> "interesting" fish. And by interesting, I don't just mean color/fins
> etc. Are there fish biologically different from your basic tetras that
> would still cohabitate and not require too much maintenance? Off the
> top of my head, I'm thinking of things like gars, but don't really know
> how biologically different they really are, or if they work in a basic
> home tank.
>
> Thanks in advance for any help,
> Sal
>
Native US gars will outgrow a 75 gallon tank - the smallest ones reach 3
feet at adulthood. Needle nose gars would probably work. They are
predatory but generally go for fish they can swallow.

You might look into bichirs (Polypterus spp.). They're cool-looking,
primitive fish. Black ghost knives are also really unusual fish and
won't try to eat your silver dollars.

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