Guide
Good setups for a 75 gallon tank
75 gallons (~284 litres) is a popular size — room for impressive communities, multiple centrepieces, or a serious cichlid setup. Test combinations in our stocking calculator.
- 75 gallons suits large communities, multiple centrepieces, or cichlid projects.
- Match species to water hardness; provide structure for territorial fish.
- Cycle first, stock gradually, maintain regularly.
Community setup
Three or four schools plus centrepiece and cleanup crew. Fifteen to twenty tetras, twelve to fifteen rasboras or barbs, twelve corydoras, a pair of dwarf gouramis or a single angelfish, and a bristlenose pleco. Or add rainbowfish if your water is hard. Canister filtration recommended. Plenty of structure and plants. Track water parameters and bioload — tools like App-aquatic help you stay on top of maintenance.
Centerpiece setup
Three or four angelfish, twenty to twenty-five tetras (rummynose, cardinal, or black neon), twelve corys, and a bristlenose. Tall tanks suit angels. Alternatively: a pair of pearl gouramis with two schools and a pleco. Provide vertical space and hiding spots.
Cichlid setup
75 gallons works well for African or South American cichlids. Malawi mbuna: a group of six to eight compatible species with plenty of rockwork. Tanganyika: shell dwellers or a small group of frontosa. South American: Severums, keyholes, or a pair of larger species with dithers. See types of cichlids. Match water chemistry; overstocking can reduce aggression in some African setups.
General tips
Cycle thoroughly. Add fish in groups. Strong filtration and weekly water changes. Research species compatibility before mixing.
Keep learning
Stable aquariums come from consistent testing and patient stocking. Continue with our water parameters guide, how to cycle a tank, and combining fish safely. For logging and strip scans, see App-aquatic.
Log parameters, scan strips offline, and run stocking checks with App-aquatic.
Get the free appCommunity setup?
Three or four schools plus centrepiece and cleanup crew. Fifteen to twenty tetras, twelve to fifteen rasboras or barbs, twelve corydoras , a pair of dwarf gouramis or a single angelfish, and a bristlenose pleco. Or add rainbowfish if your water is hard. Canister filtration recommended. Plenty of structure and plants. Track water parameters and bioload — tools like App-aquatic help you stay on top of maintenance.
Centerpiece setup?
Three or four angelfish , twenty to twenty-five tetras (rummynose, cardinal, or black neon), twelve corys, and a bristlenose. Tall tanks suit angels. Alternatively: a pair of pearl gouramis with two schools and a pleco. Provide vertical space and hiding spots.
Cichlid setup?
75 gallons works well for African or South American cichlids. Malawi mbuna: a group of six to eight compatible species with plenty of rockwork. Tanganyika: shell dwellers or a small group of frontosa. South American: Severums, keyholes, or a pair of larger species with dithers. See types of cichlids . Match water chemistry; overstocking can reduce aggression in some African setups.
General tips?
Cycle thoroughly. Add fish in groups. Strong filtration and weekly water changes. Research species compatibility before mixing.
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