empty 55 gal

[angelianmickie]

okay so I have this freebie empty 55gal that has been cycled now so what do I put in it? I wanted discus at first, but I really don't think I have the time for a gazillian water changes a day. (just kidding) but really I don't I can keep up the pristine water quality they need.
so I want some colorful fish with personality
any Ideas? I do prefer cichlids hence the post in the cichlid section

[Kettemoor]

Mbuna, labs and Johannii

[IceH2O]

Buy 1 or 2 breeding pair of convicts and then a carnivorous pleco or other bottom dweller to eat the abundant fry at night while the Cons are sleeping.

[angelianmickie]

i didn't know there were carnivorous plecos

[tarheels910]

i didn't know there were carnivorous plecos
I think hes trying to be sarcastic.

[angelianmickie]

okay so I am a dork. Thanks

[rrogan]

i just set my 55g up with 2 convicts, a jd, and a pleco. they're all getting along and it's a pretty cool setup. The JD and convicts don't really fight at all, they kind of swim around as a school. This may change once they get a little older, but it's working for now.

[angelianmickie]

is it a carnivorous pleco?:o
I kind of like the convicts. I have been looking around and there are several apistos that look appealing so maybe, eventually something will jump out and say Pick me, Pick me

[rrogan]

well i'm not sure yet, the convicts havent laid eggs.

[Star_Rider]

Actually, there are plecos that require high protein in ther diet..meaning they eat meat.

many of the large plecos turn to higher protein in their diets and will feast on shrimp etc.

I do believe that these are 'opportunisitc' feeders .
they will eat fish eggs and eat carcasses. and will ocassionally consume a sleeping fish.

;)

if you study more about Discus you will find that the adults do not require water changes every day.. and actually you can get by with 2 water changes per week.

(I do this on all my tanks save the marine tanks)

[pugwash]

...a carnivorous pleco?:o

A Striped Raphael cat aka Talking catfish might be being what is reffered to here :idea:

[tarheels910]

A Striped Raphael cat aka Talking catfish might be being what is reffered to here :idea:
Raphael Cats are not plecos.:idea:

[pugwash]

Raphael Cats are not plecos.:idea:

True :uhoh:

But they'll survive better with a breeding pair of cons due to their increased 'armour' and prey on the con prey at nighttime better than a plec could...

[tarheels910]

True :uhoh:

But they'll survive better with a breeding pair of cons due to their increased 'armour' and prey on the con prey at nighttime better than a plec could...
Now thats more like it. :worthy:

[jtburf]

I say you get a pair of convicts and an oscar as pop control.

[pugwash]

I say you get a pair of convicts and an oscar as pop control.

Too much for a 55g; indeed a 55g is too small for an oscar alone, they're happier in a 75g min, imo.

A Raphael cat is better suited to population control in a 55g with a convict pair, given the space.


A larger tank, and I'd agree though re: the oscar.

[nmrsco]

do CA/SA cichlids

[dilhcic]

Thats a good idea actually. Say if I kept a breeding pair of convicts and a pictus catfish. The pictus catfish would eat the fry at night, but would it survive? Would the convicts be able to kill the pictus?

[angelianmickie]

hmm choices, well I guess ill have to go get me some cons and a meat eating pleco :)

[will74]

I would definitely get africans, haps and peacocks, but that is just my opinion. check out some pics and then decide

[tarheels910]

I would definitely get africans, haps and peacocks, but that is just my opinion. check out some pics and then decide
Amen Will. Africans are the best way to go.