cichlid advice ?

[fishy wooten]

First can you combine ciclids with clown loaches and hillstream loaches in a 75 gallon tank? Also how many hiding spots should you provide for your fish in a tank? I provided a picture of my setup so far,please feel free to input your advice on my setup so far. Thanks

 

[Mouth-Brooder-Fanatic]

thats a beautiful set up!

it all depends what cichlids you mean. do you want africans like mbuna or americans like firemouths or....
imo very active, aggresive cichlids like auratus wouldnt do well with clown loaches. but more peaceful ones like rams, angels, discus were fine in the tanks iv seen with clown loaches x

 

[Mogurako]

Looks great, I would maybe make more open sand for the loaches and more caves.

 

[garfy]

+1 on the caves.

 

[Bigtay]

+1 on the caves.

I have 3 clowns with my African/mbuna and they do just fine. Need to atleast have them in packs of 3 or more. They grow very slow. I have clowns,acei, bumble bee and labs in my 75 gallon. Upgrading to an 150 gallon when I move to my other home!!!! Nice tank also!!!!!!