Fish selection for 55 gal

EcoPit

EcoPit

AC Members
Nov 30, 2005
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Lake County, IL
I want to make a final plan for my planted 55 gal. Click the link below to see where it currently stands.

My original plan was:
8 Otocinclus
2 SAEs
8 Corydoras (probably julii)
2 schools of tetras
2 rams
4 angelfish

After reading here I have decided to go with one school of tetras. I didn't want one big mixed school, I think one will look better, and it will lighten the fish load. I was thinking of cardinals, but I read a piece on them in a magazine this morning, and they seemed kind of touchy, so I'm leaning towards neons now. Probably 20 or so. Any suggestions for a different kind? I really want a school of something.

I added two black mollies to help my surface film problem, but they aren't working, so I will probably take them out.

I have been reading in the cichlid forum about rams. They need softer and warmer water than I have, so I am not so certain any more. There is also a suggestion that the cories will bother them. Any thoughts here?

I could probably do without the angelfish, but I do like them and I think they would really endear the tank to my wife, which is an important consideration. (If I had my way this would be a rainbowfish tank, but she really loved our angelfish a few years ago.) Four seems like a lot for a 55 gal, but I was concerned that less would really pick on other fish in the tank. I am also hoping that their presence will keep the tetras in the school.

So, any comments or suggestions?
 
Angels will eat neons, its their natural prey. It looks just a little crowded, especially considering how big angels can grow. I would either go with the tetras or the angels, not both.
 
just make sure you fertilize them regularly with macros and root tabs, id have atleast 3watts per gallon plant bulbs work best for lush foliage, you could consider DIY CO2. and keep the background pruned to prevent light from being blocked to the midground.
 
Instead of Angels, perhaps go with Discus as they won't eat your Tetras!
 
How about bigger tetras? Instead of 20 neons, how about 8 or so diamonds or colombians? Those would be too big for the angels to eat. Do you think the angels would still keep them schooled up?

z71silverado98 - I do have just under 3 wpg and DIY CO2, although I will be upping the quantity of that soon. I have also just started dosing ferts, though I am waiting on KNO3 from Greg Watson
 
Have you looked at the long (high) finned black skirt tetras? They have a similar look to angels, not as big, and no color variations but they are pretty... and more active than angels? Just a thought, I love mine.

Gin
 
FOR THE LOVE OF GOD DONT PUT DIAMOND TETRAS IN WITH ANGELFISH!!! Sorry if this seems excited but diamond tetras will eat the fins right off of angelfish. This has applied to all diamonds, and is not subject to a few. They all do it. On many occasions, I've seen angels die because of the wounds that these tetras have caused. They are HORRIBLE fin nippers. :devil:
 
Many of us have good luck with angels and cardinal tetras. If u raise young angels with cardinals they might not eat them. Cardinals are hardier in the long run than neons. Neons are like a cardinal's uglier cousin. Cardinals are bigger and more beautiful. A school of these fish is hard to match. Discus can be very hard to keep, I'd read past posts on them before u make that decision.
 
I am just not that fond of black skirt tetras. They are kind of neat-looking, but I don't have any desire to actually own any.

I have never heard that about diamonds. I actually had some together with angelfish once with no problems. I don't want to risk it though, so I guess I will cross them from the list.

I definitely agree that cardinals look nicer. Based on the article I read yesterday though it seemed like they were the wimpier cousin of neons. If cardinals get bigger than neons and are hardy, then I will probably go with them. Does anyone else have opinions to offer on cardinals, or other tetras to suggest?
 
Remember, angels are cichlids...that being said..they are one of the 'peaceful' cichlids.

I pretty much raise angels and love them..I still think they are one of the most striking fish you can place in an aquarium.(stepping off the soapbox now)

you can place med sized tetras in with them..and I would stay away from neons..like others have said..they are prey.

gouramis can also go well with them(dwarfs are considered to be the most suitable as some gouramis can become agressive)

Silver dollars also do well with angels.

the angels will get big and the general rule of thumb is 10 gal per angel.

I currently house 8 angels in my 55 with a bristle nose. I will say..the 8 that I have are young and some will be moving into a 40 and hopefully a 20 gal breeding tanks.
 
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