cichlid and a pirhana

In the long run, no, RBP's get to be approx 12" and most cichlids are either too aggressive towards them, or will be bullied and killed\eaten by RBP. However, I have seen many RBP tanks with oscars, but most too small to be peaceful, where the oscars are bullied into the corners.

In a 55g my thoughts are the same as Sublime, but in a much bigger tank , I mean much bigger tank , it is possible. I have had some weird combinations in my tanks before.

a while back on here someone had a large tank i think like 125g+ and he had some cichlids (i think it was an oscar, maybe) with a piranha.

Well first off, your not supposed to keep Pirahnas in singles or pairs, they do best in groups, you really need to think of them as big Tetras, cause thats what they are. You wouldn't put a single neon or cardinal in a tank would ya? Also a 55gal is too small for RBPs, 125 is about a minimum because of the numbers you should keep them, and their size. I would say no to the mixing in cichlids, eventually the pirahnas or the cichlid are gonna end up dead.

NatakuTseng said:

Well first off, your not supposed to keep Pirahnas in singles or pairs, they do best in groups, you really need to think of them as big Tetras, cause thats what they are. You wouldn't put a single neon or cardinal in a tank would ya? Also a 55gal is too small for RBPs, 125 is about a minimum because of the numbers you should keep them, and their size. I would say no to the mixing in cichlids, eventually the pirahnas or the cichlid are gonna end up dead.

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Well the fact of the matter is the OP only has one RBP, so one RBP by itself would do fine in a 55g. If he adds one cichlid or another kinda piranha, then a 75g will be more suitable. Considering that they get 12 inches usually, one by itself will be fine in a 55g, they don't swim around much. Piranhas do THRIVE in a group, but well fed pairs and low counts have been fine in many cases. I would say that since this guy has been the lone RBP since the begging (I am guessing) that I would keep him by himself.

NatakuTseng I agree totaly with what you say when you are talking of tanks that size. It dosen't help much with this thread but I am talking thousands of gallons and then I would say you could keep them together if everyone was well fed.

Well the fact of the matter is the OP only has one RBP, so one RBP by itself would do fine in a 55g.

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Then I guess a lone neon will be "fine". These fish are shoaling, you'll never see one alone in the wild, nore should you in a tank. Not to mention that the OP did not mention the specie that he was thinking about... it may very well be a mbuna which the answer would be no.

Motavation, chances are that your lone pirahna will be bullied to death in a tank with a cichild. IMHO, I would save up for a bigger tank so that you could have a shoal of them and see more natural behavior out of them. If you don't see another tank in the future, I would consider trading the pirahna in. Exodon tetras are very similiar to pirahna in behavior and you could comfortably fit a shoal in a 55g. If that is also not an option and you are going to get another fish anyway, I would make it another pirahna.

PS
The oscar mentioned will also not be comfortable, in about a years time, in a 55g.

RBP aren't as crazy as everyone thinks, but I think that is a pretty stupid combo in a 55gallon. (If you wanted to keep those fish for a long time)