Large freshwater fish

[FishNewbie82912]

Hello. I currently have a 25 gallon freshwater and a 10 gallon freshwater. I want to make the jump to a 75 gallon. My husband wants a salt water but from what I read I think I want to stick with the simplicity of fresh water.

What are some really cool larger sized freshwater fish that I could put in the freshwater tank that size? We want colorful, peaceful fish.

Thanks!

 

[PheonixKingZ]

You could do a group of 6-8+ Boeseman’s rainbowfish. (Depending on the hardness of your water)

What is the hardness of your water? (They cannot be kept in soft water)

You can read the SF article here: https://www.seriouslyfish.com/species/melanotaenia-boesemani/

 

[FishNewbie82912]

You could do a group of 6-8+ Boeseman’s rainbowfish. (Depending on the hardness of your water)

What is the hardness of your water? (They cannot be kept in soft water)

You can read the SF article here: https://www.seriouslyfish.com/species/melanotaenia-boesemani/

Actually I already have 1 boesemans and 1 regular rainbow (the turquoise one). I got them at Petsmart not knowing my tank was too small. Yes can you believe Petsmart gave me bad advice?? Lol. But they’re doing fine. The turquoise one is king of the tank and flashes his colors all day at the other one. I was thinking of getting a school of them for the large tank. They’re the reason I want a big tank. I was also looking into the discus fish. Anyone know anything about these guys? They have that salt water type fish look.

I haven’t tested my hardness. I have well water. No softener. I tend to have good luck with the glo fish tetras, neon tetras, danios and then my 2 rainbows. I have bad luck with mollies, guppies and platies.

 

[Wills]

Working out your water hardness is going to be key to this. Discus wouldn’t work with your current mix of fish though the tank really needs to be planned around them from the start with very soft, clean water at high temperatures.

 

[PheonixKingZ]

Actually I already have 1 boesemans and 1 regular rainbow (the turquoise one). I got them at Petsmart not knowing my tank was too small. Yes can you believe Petsmart gave me bad advice?? Lol. But they’re doing fine. The turquoise one is king of the tank and flashes his colors all day at the other one. I was thinking of getting a school of them for the large tank. They’re the reason I want a big tank. I was also looking into the discus fish. Anyone know anything about these guys? They have that salt water type fish look.

I haven’t tested my hardness. I have well water. No softener. I tend to have good luck with the glo fish tetras, neon tetras, danios and then my 2 rainbows. I have bad luck with mollies, guppies and platies.

You definitely need more rainbowfish, and discus are a big no.

 

[hansgruber7]

Have you thought about a large school of smaller fish? I've always wanted to put a ton of neon tetras or something like that in a 75 gallon. You could also look into Electric Blue Jack Daniels, Acara, Oscar, Peacock cichlids. Those are some of my favorite larger fish but you would have to do some research to see if it could work in your size aquarium. I think some of those work better in a 125.

 

[FishNewbie82912]

You definitely need more rainbowfish, and discus are a big no.

Why would discus be a definite no?

 

[PheonixKingZ]

Why would discus be a definite no?

They wouldn’t work out with your current fish. (As @Wills said)

I like @hansgruber7 ’s idea. A large school of Harliquen Rasbora’s, Neon Tetras, Rummy Nose Tetras, or Blood Fin Tetras would be awesome.

 

[FishNewbie82912]

Ah I see. Okay would discus work with just the rainbows? I can keep my glo tetras and danios in my 25 gallon. They’re plenty happy in there anyway. I’d hate to have 3 tanks running but it isn’t impossible. I just really really want these discus fish. And if they could work with my 2 rainbows this could be doable. Otherwise I’m leaning towards a rainbow fish tank. Anyone have advice on a filter? I have the hang on back ones for my small tanks. But for a 75 gallon I saw a canister one but no clue how that set up works.

 

[FishNewbie82912]

Have you thought about a large school of smaller fish? I've always wanted to put a ton of neon tetras or something like that in a 75 gallon. You could also look into Electric Blue Jack Daniels, Acara, Oscar, Peacock cichlids. Those are some of my favorite larger fish but you would have to do some research to see if it could work in your size aquarium. I think some of those work better in a 125.

I’m turned off by the aggression of the cichlids. I love the way they look but not sold on their temperament. I just bought my 75 gallon today but I’m going to research before I jump in.

 

[FishNewbie82912]

Holy cow I just looked up the prices on discus fish! They can be like $80 a fish! That can’t be possible.

 

[PheonixKingZ]

Holy cow I just looked up the prices on discus fish! They can be like $80 a fish! That can’t be possible.

Yes, it is. That’s actually a good price for them. At my LFS, they sell for $120 a piece.

Ah I see. Okay would discus work with just the rainbows? I can keep my glo tetras and danios in my 25 gallon. They’re plenty happy in there anyway. I’d hate to have 3 tanks running but it isn’t impossible. I just really really want these discus fish. And if they could work with my 2 rainbows this could be doable. Otherwise I’m leaning towards a rainbow fish tank. Anyone have advice on a filter? I have the hang on back ones for my small tanks. But for a 75 gallon I saw a canister one but no clue how that set up works.

Discus are usually kept best by themselves... they are also hard to care for, as they are very fragile.

 

[FishNewbie82912]

Yes, it is. That’s actually a good price for them. At my LFS, they sell for $120 a piece.



Discus are usually kept best by themselves... they are also hard to care for, as they are very fragile.

Okay so I will move on from that idea. Last question...rainbows and angelfish? Yes or no?

 

[PheonixKingZ]

Okay so I will move on from that idea. Last question...rainbows and angelfish? Yes or no?

Anglefish need to be in groups of 4 or more. They could be out in a 75g tank by themselves, (or with other smaller schooling fish) but not with the rainbows. Rainbowfish are very active, and could easily stress out the peaceful anglefish.

 

[Wills]

It really comes down to if you have soft or hard water, its the best place to start as it helps establish the long term health of your fish. Are your appliances prone to limescale? Thats often a good place to start