Are these fish compatible?

you need a way bigger tank. Peacock bass and red tailed cats get very very big and IMHO should not be kept in a tank at all.You picked some huge species for a tank the size of a 55gal. Tell us what kind of fish you like and we can help you pick new ones that work with your setup.Sorry for the bad news

Here are some links to the fish you wanted to choose. Remember research reasearch research.

http://www.planetcatfish.com/ilibrary/bagridae/hemibagr/19_f.htm
http://www.peacockbassonline.com/
http://www.aquariacentral.com/fishinfo/fresh/peacockb.htm
http://www.aquariacentral.com/fishinfo/fresh/snake.htm

In a 55 gallon, you won't have much choice for predatory fish of any kind. Catfish that are big enough to eat other fish (or have the inclination to), get WAY too big for a tank that size. Channel cats, shark catfish, etc. get anywhere from 1-10 FEET in length (depending on breed and circumstance...I've caught channels in my local lake that were 5 feet before....yep, the same ones that are 3" at the lfs...).

You can have aggressive fish without necessarily having fish-eaters. I got on a "super-mean" kick there for a couple of years, and all I wound up with was an empty wallet an dead fish, since I couldn't provide adequate tank space to keep anything that was truly predatory. I have a 55 as well, btw.

I still like the aggressives, I have just decided to wait until I can give them the kind of home they deserve, at least 200 gallons of it.

You might give a try to a NA native, like a bluegill (only one or two for 55 gallons, though). They're meaner than snot and will happily eat anything that will fit in their mouth.... Small perch species like that are really pretty and have an attitude to match...

Also, I'm not a big fan of ropefish...they like to escape. Plus, anything predatory with a mouth larger than a quarter would make a quick meal out of one....they do resemble a worm, after all...
One more quick note: I wouldn't feed exclusively feeders to anything unless that's all they will take. If you do, only feed them weekly, because the ammonia will shoot up like you wouldn't believe and be uncontrollable.... Try to get the fish accustomed to pellets, as well, or you'll not have your fish for very long....

For $300 you could get a 55 or MAYBE get away with a 75 gal and still get some cheap gear. 75's around here are about $200 (actually a little less), but this is without the glass tops. I'd go with a 55 and get good quality equipment. It adds up quickly!

Pinballqueen, I think you might be getting your catfish species confused. A 5' channel cat would smash the world record of 58 lbs.. And actually, a 5' Flathead or Blue would most likely be eligible for a state record at least. Preditory fish come in all shapes and sizes. Just because fish "A" can't eat fish "
B" (which is a 5" Gold Fish), doesn't mean its not a preditor. Chaca chaca will reach about 7-8" and are extremely criptic hunters.

No way.. I am sure you can get a 150 gallon- 200 gallon tank in the classifieds. A LFS sells a 60 gallon including stand and light for $100.00 (brand new)

Oh, and if your going to get another tank, don't buy a new one if your pressed for cash. For $300 your could get a complete 125g if your real lucky. Atleast a 90g. But you'll have to check classified adds everywhere. I got a used 55g with everything for $100 once and a 125g for $400, and it came with EVERYTHING.

If you find a 200g for $300 it probably won't even have the stand