55 gallon

[Animallove]

I have a 55 gallon freshwater aquarium that has 1 adult platty, 1 baby platty, 1 balloon molly, 5 neon tetra's and a royal pleco. I was planning on moving the molly, platties and neons into a 10 gallon tank and slowing raise the PH of the 55 gallon tank (still with the pleco in it) so I could keep african cichlids in it. Recently I found out that mollies need a minimum of a 30 gallon tank. I can't afford to buy another tank so here we come to my questions:

1. Is there a type of fish that could live with all the fish I already have but is larger, around 6 inches and colorful?

2. Would it be possible to keep the platties, molly, and neons in a 10 gallon tank?

Thanks in advance!

~Animallove

[Rbishop]

Angelfish.

[Dwarf Puffers]

I would put the platies in the 10g with 6 neons. Mollies don't need 30g tanks, at least not sailfins. I prefer to see mollies & platies in tanks of 15g+, but the platies would be fine in the 10 with the neons. I wouldn't add the molly though, and they go about much better with the addition of members of their own species.

[jagr200]

Take them back to the LFS for credit. But its a waste of a 55 gallon tank to have those fish in it.

[RedScare]

I say put the platies, molly, and tetras in the 10. Just get a high calcium substrate to raise the pH in the tank instead of doing it with some product.

Dont for get to check on the pleco. I dont know what pH's they can handle.

[boostnbuds]

i agree with jagr

[Hooked Newbie]

Do you have your heart set on Africans?

You could move the platy and neons to the 10G and look into sme very colorful "community" fish (Raibows, Angels, Gourami, Barbs, etc.) that would be fine with the molly and pleco in the 55G. Just be careful on the numbers and combinations... check out some pics on th web and let us know what interests you. Chances are that someone here has experience with them and can get you good info.

[Animallove]

I looked into getting angels but read that they were pretty aggressive, and need bigger tanks. My hearts not set on getting African Cichlids at all, they're just the most interesting fish at my local pet store lol. My dad and I really like angels, and my mom really likes discus. Would the discus get along with the molly and pleco? If they do, what other tankmates could they have?

[Lupin]

I looked into getting angels but read that they were pretty aggressive, and need bigger tanks.
Not all angels are aggressive and as long as they don't spawn, you'll be fine. They can be a menace to small tankmates but overall, they are still suitable community fish.

Would the discus get along with the molly and pleco?
If you are prepared to do everything for the discus, then your path is clear. Make sure all tankmates can tolerate temperature up to 80 degrees Fahrenheit. Some fish will try to pick on the discus' slime coat when hungry and I am sure mollies will do this. As for the royal panaque, just make sure it is well-fed or it'll suck the slime of the discus.

Pencilfish, tetras, plecos, corydoras, hatchetfish, angelfish, rams and apistos make fine tankmates as long as the discus are not outcompeted for foods.

If you are looking for tetras suitable with discus (temperature is the main concern here), here are the following:
Black Neon Tetra(Hyphessobrycon herbertaxelrodi)
Black Skirt Tetra(Gymnocorymbus ternetzi)
Bleeding Heart Tetra(Hyphessobrycon erythrostigma)
Cardinal Tetra(Cheirodon axelrodi)
Columbian Tetra (Hyphessobrycon columbianus)
Diamond Tetra(Moenkhausia pittieri)
Emperor Tetra(Nematobrycon palmeri)
Glass Bloodfin(Prionobrama filigera)
Glowlight Tetra(Hemigrammus eryhthrozonus)
Green Fire Tetra (Aphyocharax rathbuni)
Head-and-Tail-Light(Hemigrammus ocellifer)
Jewel Tetra(Hyphessobrycon callistus)
Kerri Tetra(Inpaichthys kerri)
Lemon Tetra(Hyphessobrycon pulchripinnis)
Penguin tetra(Thayeria boehlkei)
Robert's Tetra(Hyphessobrycon robertsi)
Rosy Tetra(Hyphessobrycon bentosi)
Rummy-Nose Tetra(Hemigrammus bleheri)
Rummy-Nose Tetra(Hemigrammus rhodostomus)
Rummy-Nose Tetra(Petitella georgiae)
X-ray Tetra(Pristella maxillaris)

I did not include some of them as they may be potential fin nippers or intolerant of warm temperatures.

[Animallove]

thanks so much! you guys are so helpful! thanks for the quick and thorough response Lupin! I have yet another question though:

This probally won't work out, and is most likely overstocking, but if it's possible I would like to do it:

Could I keep 1-3 discus ( i heard they were a schooling fish) with 1-3 angels (ditto) the pleco, a few mollies, and possibly some platties? The neon tetra's could/will go into the 10 gallon tank.

[Animallove]

How would this do?

1 or 3 discus
1 or 3 angels
5 hatchets
maybe? 5 cories
maybe? a school of one of the tetra's lupin listed

This may be overstocking, feel free to tweak or completly eliminate.

[Lupin]

Could I keep 1-3 discus ( i heard they were a schooling fish) with 1-3 angels (ditto) the pleco, a few mollies, and possibly some platties? The neon tetra's could/will go into the 10 gallon tank.
Discus need to be kept in groups. 4 would be the absolute minimum for me because if two pair up, they will end up most likely harassing the third one. I wouldn't recommend angelfish to pave more space for more discus. As far as the livebearers are concerned, I wouldn't try it. Simply stick with plecos, tetras and additionally harlequin rasboras.:)

[Lupin]

How would this do?

1 or 3 discus
1 or 3 angels
5 hatchets
maybe? 5 cories
maybe? a school of one of the tetra's lupin listed

This may be overstocking, feel free to tweak or completly eliminate.
Research on planetcatfish.com the corydoras and their temperature requirements.:) I recommend sterbais though. Angelfish will be deleted to pave more space for discus. Cories > plecos

On another note, I would recommend you buy the largest discus you can afford. Sub-adults at 4 inches are your best bets. Juveniles tend to become vulnerable to diseases and less forgiving of wrong water conditions so I wouldn't recommend starting with them. Do thrice a week water change by a volume of 50-60% although of course, the more frequent you do, the better.

[Animallove]

I personally think that the angels are slightly more beatiful, so if I had to choose i would choose the angels. (not that the discus are ugly, they obviously are georgous too) could live bearers be kept with angels?

[rwspear76]

Take them back to the LFS for credit. But its a waste of a 55 gallon tank to have those fish in it.


That my friend is simply a matter of opinoin.

[Lupin]

I personally think that the angels are slightly more beatiful, so if I had to choose i would choose the angels. (not that the discus are ugly, they obviously are georgous too) could live bearers be kept with angels?
Mollies, platies and swordtails are fine but guppies, Endlers and mosquito fish might end up eaten or risk being harassed.