Stocking 55g Around Angel(s)

[joel.uejio]

Getting my new 55g set up -- parameters will be as follows:
Substrate = Sand, Plants = <Negotiable>, Filters = AC110 + <TBD Canister>, pH = <Probably 7.8>, Temp = <Probably high 70's F>

I've been reading the 100's of stocking threads out there -- here's what I'm thinking right now:

Centerpiece: 1-2 Angels (seems to be much debate over ideal # to have)
Bonus: 3 Pearl Gouramis OR pair of some other cichlid like Bolivian Ram, Keyhole, ...?
Schooling: 10-12 Harlequin or Lambchop Rasboras
Bottom: 3 Dojo Loaches OR 6 Kuhli Loaches
Algae Patrol: 1-2 Bristlenose Plecos OR 4 Oto Catfish

Thoughts? Comments?

[krytan]

Centerpiece: 1-2 Angels (seems to be much debate over ideal # to have)
2 is a good number to have, any more than that and you could have problems if they try and breed.
Bonus: 3 Pearl Gouramis OR pair of some other cichlid like Bolivian Ram, Keyhole, ...?
Gouramis and angels don't mix well, rams or keyholes would be a nice addition.
Schooling: 10-12 Harlequin or Lambchop Rasboras
They would be nice additions but i would choose one or the other.
Bottom: 3 Dojo Loaches OR 6 Kuhli Loaches
I don't know much about loaches but if it was me i would have a shoal of corys.
Algae Patrol: 1-2 Bristlenose Plecos OR 4 Oto Catfish
Algae control should be your job not the fishies but a BN pleco would be a nice addition.

.

[Star_Rider]

good suggestion by Kyrtan

with Angles the problem is you can't sex them(it can be done but is difficult for most)

2 males may = fights. 2 females .. usually get along.. again here the issue is trying to determine the sex.

male and female may or may not get along.

you can try 6 angles and let them pair.
or attempt 2 angels and raise them together.
be prepared tho as you may need to adjust the situation.

Angels are Cichlids and as a result may be feisty

[lateinningmagic]

I like your stocking plan. Especially the bottom, not really a fan of cories. I also agree that you shouldn't really have a fish in there for algae control, but I still think a BN or two is nice.

[paperdragon]

Dojos need cooler temps than the other fish (high 60's, low 70's). stick with kuhlis or cories. Other than that, sounds a lot like my plan for my 55g :)

[jpappy789]

good suggestion by Kyrtan

with Angles the problem is you can't sex them(it can be done but is difficult for most)

2 males may = fights. 2 females .. usually get along.. again here the issue is trying to determine the sex.

male and female may or may not get along.

you can try 6 angles and let them pair.
or attempt 2 angels and raise them together.
be prepared tho as you may need to adjust the situation.

Angels are Cichlids and as a result may be feisty
I agree^

As for the stock, you could easily mix the harlequins and espeis in a school. Only you would know the difference...like the mixed neon/cardinal shoals.

[joel.uejio]

Good stuff!

Are there any Gourami/Angel situations that would work? (I'm a G fan) What about a fiestier one like a Blue to stand up to the Angel? Or some timid Sparklings to fly below its radar?

If I do stay with the Angel, I think I'll just do 1 -- only option I have for handling problems would be to move one to my 20g long :(.

I have Julii Corys in that 20g and they're great, but I wanted to try something different for this 55g. I've read other posts about Dojos liking cooler temps, so maybe I'll do Kuhlis or Yoyos or something.

Thanks all for the comments, please keep 'em coming!

[abarilot]

I like the idea of getting more angels and seeing if they pair off and then down grade to a pair. I have a pair of angels and the interaction between them is interesting to watch. I would highly recommend the rams, awesome fish! Sorry I cant recommend any Gouramis but if you are interested in Earth Eaters I can give a suggestion or two!

[joel.uejio]

I've been reading a lot of posts about angels and gouramis. It seems that if I were to get 1 angel and 1 pearl, both juveniles and similar size, then I *might* be ok, but ... no guarantees.

So if I don't do that, I'm thinking maybe I could do the angel with a festivum. Would that work? This would make the current plan:

1 Angel
1 Festivum (replacing the Pearl Gourami)
2 or 4 [Keyhole or Bolivian Ram] Cichlids (#M == #F)
12 Harlequin Rasboras
8 Kuhli Loaches (No more BN Pleco)

Yes?

[joel.uejio]

Having all different kinds of thoughts now that I'm getting close to being cycled. Latest one comes from some growing interest in the exotic knife fish arena. What about:

1 Angel
1 African Brown Knife
5 Yellow-Tail Acei Cichlids
3 Synodontis Catfish (smaller, more peaceful ones like the petricola)

?

Idea here is a mix of regions and behaviors, with minimal aggression and no one getting eaten.....yes? no? maybe?

[deadmongoose]

I'm almost ready to begin my first setup.

I have a 50g and really like the look of the Boesemani Rainbow, I see they are a school fish, how many can I comfortably get without harm.

I am also thinking about getting lots of plants. Possibly an Angelfish or 2, a Clown Loach and a Swordtail, oh and a Pleco to appease my grandpa (I tell him all this stuff I learn on the forums and he tells me "Who you gonna believe me w/ 50 years exp. or the stupid internet)

Is this a viable option for my size of a tank?

[krytan]

I'm almost ready to begin my first setup.

I have a 50g and really like the look of the Boesemani Rainbow, I see they are a school fish, how many can I comfortably get without harm.

I am also thinking about getting lots of plants. Possibly an Angelfish or 2, a Clown Loach and a Swordtail, oh and a Pleco to appease my grandpa (I tell him all this stuff I learn on the forums and he tells me "Who you gonna believe me w/ 50 years exp. or the stupid internet)

Is this a viable option for my size of a tank?
Clown loach will get way to big for your tank and they need to be kept in groups of five or more. What pleco do you intend to get? a lot of them will get far to big for a 50g tank.

[krytan]

Having all different kinds of thoughts now that I'm getting close to being cycled. Latest one comes from some growing interest in the exotic knife fish arena. What about:

1 Angel
1 African Brown Knife
5 Yellow-Tail Acei Cichlids
3 Synodontis Catfish (smaller, more peaceful ones like the petricola)

?

Idea here is a mix of regions and behaviors, with minimal aggression and no one getting eaten.....yes? no? maybe?
Sorry but that isn't a very good mix of fish.

[deadmongoose]

Well after a quick search I found Rio-Negro Pleco (L 135). That one seems pretty cool looking. I'm kinda bummed about the Clown Loach, oh well.

I was also wondering is it ok to have more that one type of school fish. Like could I have a school of Rainbows and a school of Tiger Barbs?

As far as the numbers in a school, was that the 5-6 you were saying?

[joel.uejio]

To deadmongoose: Seems that you're posting your questions in the thread I started with mine. Can you please start your own thread if you have questions?

To krytan: Can you please elaborate on why it wouldn't be a good mix? Fish interactions? Incompatible optimal tank conditions?

Thanks!

[deadmongoose]

Sorry I didn't mean to hijack the thread. I just figured we had similar questions and the same people that could answer your questions would be able to answer mine as well without multiple threads.

[krytan]

To krytan: Can you please elaborate on why it wouldn't be a good mix? Fish interactions? Incompatible optimal tank conditions?

Thanks!

Yellow-Tail Acei Cichlids sould be kept in an african cichlid set up (they don't mix well with other fish). Not sure about brown knife but i had a ghost knife (not a black ghost knife) that i kept with a 12" oscar, the knife and the oscar would often fight over food.

[Star_Rider]

To deadmongoose: Seems that you're posting your questions in the thread I started with mine. Can you please start your own thread if you have questions?

To krytan: Can you please elaborate on why it wouldn't be a good mix? Fish interactions? Incompatible optimal tank conditions?

Thanks!


Yellow-Tail Acei Cichlids

african Cichlid usually requiring different water specs(aka hard) they also usually are a problem with aggressiveness.

I see Krtytan posted at the same time ;)

[joel.uejio]

Yes, I've heard that aceis are pretty calm for African cichlids, but that's probably still pretty aggro and not good for a community. :mad2:

So, instead of the Acei, what about Festivums or Keyholes? Or maybe a school of larger fish that like high pH -- bloodfin tetras?

[goalieman59]

I would go with a group of young angels and let them pair off. Once they pair off then move them out so you have one pair, or just get a bigger tank:evil_lol:. Then for some additions to the tank, go with some skited tetras they get along great with angles and they dont get real big. For algae control go with a group of ottos, you can put about 6 in the tank with no issues, they are great if you are going to plant the tank. For some bottom dwellers I would go with some corys but make sure you get a small group cause they perfer groups and they are a blast to watch in groups. If you are going to plant the tank i would be careful what plecos you go with cause some will eat you plants.

[Star_Rider]

festivum or keyholes should work.

I've kept keyholes with angels in the past.

bloodfins i don't have much experience with. but as long as they are fairly large and fast they should be ok.