View Full Version : Help me decide what to put in my nonstandard width 55g..
I have a non-standard width 55g tank that's 30" wide x 18" deep x 25" tall..
I'm new to fish, and my tank is cycling, so my wife and I have been looking at fish to see what to put in when the cycle is complete....
So far fish we have looked at and like are:
gourami
tiger barbs
bolivian rams
various cichlids
platys
mollys
tetras
I've done some research, but I'd rather get some real-world stocking ideas from people who've been there and done that.
I've read that cichlids need wide tanks to establish territories :( I really like the look of them, but I don't want to keep them if my tank isn't right for them..
Ideas for stocking?
toddnbecka
02-05-2009, 1:35 PM
Cichlids particularly suitable for a tall, deep tank are angelfish. A spawning pair (start w/6, return the extras after a pair forms) or a single specimen and some tetras would work. A group of Cory cats for leftovers, and a BN pleco to keep the algae under control. A single gourami may or may not work too, might be worth a try though.
Barbs in general are fin nippers, not good w/angelfish (or any other long-finned sorts like gourami's.) Livebearers are not usually a problem with other fish, best kept as 1 male with several females.
Jakezori
02-05-2009, 2:48 PM
get cichlids!!!! they are the best, but remember you cant really keep them with anything you listed =p
the way to get rid of the "wide tank" problem is to put rocks and hiding places for them.
get cichlids!!!! they are the best, but remember you cant really keep them with anything you listed =p
the way to get rid of the "wide tank" problem is to put rocks and hiding places for them.
I saw the neon blue dwarf gourami at a LFS... That's one of the fish we really like.
I read that angelfish can be aggressive? Is that accurate?
toddnbecka
02-05-2009, 3:32 PM
Mainly toward other angelfish, though males can be territorial in general. It also depends on the individual fish, tank layout, and other species. Same way w/gourami's, you won't be able to keep 2 males in the tank, but a pair is fine.
Just Prince
02-05-2009, 3:43 PM
I have the same tank and for a planted tank it's expensive to properly light. I have a school of 12 Pristella Tetras 4 Badis Badis a BN Pleco 8 Black Neon Tetras 6 loaches (3 Khuli's 3 Java's), 6 Panda Corys, One breeding pair of Apisto Steindachneri (temp until their 20 long is set up) and school of Rasboras. I am going to move the Neons and the apisto and add 4 dario dario.
severum mama
02-07-2009, 8:49 AM
You could add a couple of Bolivian rams to the list that toddnbecka mentioned. I really enjoyed keeping Bolivians while I had mine.
yourchoice
02-07-2009, 11:28 PM
Dwarf gouramis are not very hardy and the powdered blue are very weak.Lucky to keep the blues alive more than 4 months '
sleepyskater
02-08-2009, 12:19 AM
I'd go with cichlids
All of those other fish would look pretty small in a 55G
Unless you like BIG school's, then go with Tiger barbs :)
punch1
02-08-2009, 1:27 AM
I know that fancies golds are not in your list - but the extra depth of the tank fits nocely with one of the theorized resolutions to swimbladder dysfunction- The idea is that some forms of the disease comes from the shallow tank - causing the internal body pressure regulator to become lethargic and nonfunctional - they would sure look pretty in a tank like that -
Rbishop
02-08-2009, 5:47 AM
Before ruling out cichlids, it would be better to define which of the cichlids you were thinking of. They can drastically affect the mix.
excuzzzeme
02-08-2009, 6:55 AM
Angelfish are cichlids and as such will display many of the cichlid's aggressiveness at times. You cannot (rather should not) mix small community fish like neons as they will become lunch for the angels. Neons happen to be their favorite snack food.
Angels will do well with the more aggressive type of tetras such as the Blackskirt, serpae, and sometimes even tigerbarbs. I have one with tigerbarbs and no one bothers him. He is also a bit aggressive.
Before ruling out cichlids, it would be better to define which of the cichlids you were thinking of. They can drastically affect the mix.
One of the definite fish we want is 1 angelfish..everything else is up in the air.
Before ruling out cichlids, it would be better to define which of the cichlids you were thinking of. They can drastically affect the mix.
We like pretty much all of them...
We especially like the angelfish and bolivian/german rams.
yourchoice
02-08-2009, 2:30 PM
The Bolivian rams are much hardier than germans.The males clearly have pointed trailers on the back fin when they get older.Try for a male /female.Never kept Angels but I think a large Male/Female would look good and be happy.
The Bolivian rams are much hardier than germans.The males clearly have pointed trailers on the back fin when they get older.Try for a male /female.Never kept Angels but I think a large Male/Female would look good and be happy.
So far I'm thinking:
1 - angel
? - bolivian ram(s)
? - bristlenose pleco
? - cory cats (which are the coolest?)
What else?
For cory cats, it really depends on the color of your substrate in order to decide which species to get.
I, personally, think Sterbai Cories are the most beautiful, but when I got some they camouflaged against my dark substrate and I couldn't see them. They died off over the course of a year and I patiently waited to get a new school of Albino Cories. At the store, they aren't the most attractive, but against my black substrate boy do they POP!
So, really, take a look at your tank as a whole to help you decide which species to get.
Also, take a look here (http://liveaquaria.com/product/aquarium-fish-supplies.cfm?c=830+1161) to get an idea of which species catch your eye.
For cory cats, it really depends on the color of your substrate in order to decide which species to get.
I, personally, think Sterbai Cories are the most beautiful, but when I got some they camouflaged against my dark substrate and I couldn't see them. They died off over the course of a year and I patiently waited to get a new school of Albino Cories. At the store, they aren't the most attractive, but against my black substrate boy do they POP!
So, really, take a look at your tank as a whole to help you decide which species to get.
Also, take a look here (http://liveaquaria.com/product/aquarium-fish-supplies.cfm?c=830+1161) to get an idea of which species catch your eye.
My substrate is a medium color... it's not dark, but it's not real light either... it's made up of semi-small gravel, and some large gravel mixed..
BreellaBlue87
02-09-2009, 10:23 AM
At the store, they aren't the most attractive, but against my black substrate boy do they POP!
.
I have to agree, I have Aeneus albinos, the golden accented ones and they are really noticeable. I love watching them.