55g questions...

[acousticdevil]

Here is the background.

I was fortunate enough to have the oppertunity to set up and maintain a 55 gallon tank in my friends business. It was a learning experience to say the least, but after a couple wrong turns, i learned my lessons and created a stable and healthy tank enviroment. Well, last week my friend calls me and asks if I want the tank!! Bad ^% deal for me, a free 55g tank. The move went well and things are settling back down again. Here is my list of inhabitants then I'll get to my questions...

Silver Angelfish (2)
mating pair, extremely cool, they eat from my hand, always active when I'm around.

Gold Angelish (2)- juvenile, sex not yet established. tend to hide, but will follow adult angels from time to time, no hostility seen between angels yet

Silver Dollars (2)
mating pair (this was very unexpected), a bit quirky and jumpy fish, but not bothersome to tankmates.

Green Cory (4), Panda Cory (1), Albino Cory (1)
your average cory. The oldest Green is nearly twice as big as all the others so its funny to watch the little ones follow it around, i assume is a natural protection instinct.

Flag Tail Catfish (1)
cool fish! spends time to himself, loves to launch from the botton to the surface and then back again, not sure why he does this really...

Pl*co (1)
Big ^% dude, biggest fish in tank, nearly 8-9 inches long. He's a bit testy at times but minds his own business. I worry about him getting enough food, but he seems well enough.

Tank has driftwood, fake plants, rocks and some cave area.

That is the list, here are my questions...

1. Should I add 2 or 3 more Silver Dollars to help calm them down since they are froup fish, OR will this disrupt the mating pair too much?

2. Was it a bad idea to introduce a new pair of angels with my breeding pair?

3. Is there any schooling fish that would not distrupt the silvers and angels?

4. If there is room, what else could I add that would preserve the harmony and add some color and activity to the tank?

Any other ideas or suggestions are welcome, I'm trying to continue my education on aquariums!!

[OrionGirl]

1. Should I add 2 or 3 more Silver Dollars to help calm them down since they are froup fish, OR will this disrupt the mating pair too much?
Not only will it likely disrupt them, but they will eventually outgrow the tank. Some smaller dithers would probably work better to help them feel secure. Large tetras would be your best bet.

2. Was it a bad idea to introduce a new pair of angels with my breeding pair?
The adults will not appreciate the new pair once the new pair hits maturity. If the silvers lay eggs now, they will probably beat the heckout of the juveniles.

3. Is there any schooling fish that would not distrupt the silvers and angels?
Medium sized tetras, like rasboras, silver tips, or cardinals should be fine. Smaller tetras (like neons) may become angels snacks.

4. If there is room, what else could I add that would preserve the harmony and add some color and activity to the tank? Platies would be another option, instead of tetras. The angels willhelp control the population, and platies are very brightly colored.



HTH