Most colorful freshwater fish?

Question
I have recently set up a 75 gallon fresh water tank and have everything up and running quite nicely.  I have 5 jumbo danios in the tank right now setting up the environment.  My goal for this tank is to have a variety of colorful freshwater fish and several people have recommended African Cichlids.  How long should I wait before attempting to add them?  What tips do you have for me?  Could you recommend any other species?  Thanks!

Answer
Hi Keith,

If you are going to keep the Danios, you can't add any African cichlids. African Cichlids are very attractive and colorful, however, almost every one of them are aggressive to smaller tropical fish, such as guppies and Danios. They would become a nice snack for them.

Here's some tropical fish that would go well with the Danios.
Remember, only add 5-6 at a time, MAXIMUM, (for a 75 gallon tank), and add a batch once or twice a week.

-Angelfish (What aquarium wouldn't be complete without Angels?)
-Black Phantom Tetras (Very attractive)
-Platy Fish (Livebearers)
-Gouramis
-Hatchetfish (Very unique and stunning)
-Corydoras Catfish (Peaceful bottom-dwellers, feed algae wafers)
-Clown Loach (Bottom scavenger as well, will eat algae wafers)
-Various Plecostomus (there are some very attractive ones out there)


Try and change about 10%-20% of the water every 3 days or so, during the first month, to keep ammonia and nitrite levels down.

Good Luck, and happy Fishkeeping!