Sorry, I'm used to saying this because on a different forum I was on, they would ask what was your experience level was (1-5 years, 5-10 years, 10+ years, keep in mind that this when I was starting as a new person on the internet, so it just stuck with me since), and yea, it's really 5-6 years. And yes, I'm like 13 years old.
It is thought to be poor practice to keep discus with angelfish because discus are generally more delicate and may be sensitive to diseases which aquarium strains of angelfish can transmit, although the angels are resistant to them. I personally don't like to see a combination of such large and small fishes in the same aquarium, unless it is a very large tank. I think I would choose larger shoals of tetras with a wider range of species, probably including some rather larger ones, and a larger shoal of a Corydoras species - with the possibility of adding one of the easier dwarf cichlids or a Laetacara species and a small Loricariid if there was a growth of algae.
I agree with gentle lemur on the angelfish/discus point and the addition of a Loricariid. Loricariids often save a lot of work in the long run and are generally pretty tough.
Would you consider 75 gallons very large? (around 280L) So after some editing, I have come up with this: 5x Discus 5x Marbled Hatchetfish 15x Cardinal Tetras 1x Starlight Bristlenose Pleco 8x Panda Corydoras Yes, it is for both set up and stocking. A budget of $400-600 shouldn't be too much of a problem, right?
Personally, I don't consider 75 gallons very large, one of my tanks is 100 gallons, and have seen many personal tanks bigger than that. That stocking seems reasonable, you may want to keep an eye on the nitrates though. Curious, did you choose the fish from the first list and this one because you liked the species? Have you done research on them? Shouldn't, just depends on how things go.
Yea, a friend of my parents have a 400gal saltwater tank (it is the most beautiful home saltwater tank I've seen, so kudos to all you saltwater keepers). Ok, I'll get a API test kit soon (I've been testing my water at my LFS). Actually no, I didn't choose just because I liked the species. I've read a few articles, though I should be reading more for a full research. Thank you for your help, if theres anything else you want to add, feel free to tell me!
I recommend testing the water because that will be a decent load for a 75, and discus are delicate. Helps avoid unfortunate surprises. Good that you're doing your research, I'd particularly focus on the discus and hatchetfish, they're more complicated and sensitive in their care. I haven't kept either myself since I don't feel I could give them the care they need to look their best since I've got a lot going on in life. (and don't care to spend the money to buy discus currently.) Not to say I haven't made a few uninformed purchases that didn't end well, and I have been successful in keeping some more sensitive species over the years.
Finally added some more fish to my 100 gallon recently, going from 2 to 8. Nice to see some more action in there again!
Existing fish were: 1 Gold-spotted Pleco (Pterygoplichthys joselimaianus) 1 Brilliant Rasbora (Rasbora einthovenii) New fish: 1 Bolivian Ram male (Mikrogeophagus altispinosus) 2 Angelfish (Pterophyllum scalare) 1 Bala Shark (Balantiocheilos melanopterus) 2 Dension Barb (Sahyadria denisonii)
I recommend you get more brilliant rasboras and dension barbs because they are both active schooling fish.
I am aware of that. The rasbora is old, and that species isn't very easy to find. I ended up with it along with a Red-tailed Rasbora and two Fire Danio about two years ago. I may get a few more Denison Barbs though, I like how they look in a school. They do run a bit expensive though.
I personally currently own one fish. A male Honey Gourami. My shrimp, as you know, disappeared so now I use that tank as a planted tank to get me more experienced with plants. I had other fish, but now I am "phasing out" my gouramis for another inhabitant....
