Fish for 55 gallon SA/CA ?

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delmore

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Dec 2, 2001
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My water parameters are:

pH value 12 months average is at 7.56.
The total hardness 12 months average is 70 ppm (range 60-88ppm).

I would like to set up 55g with some existing fish, and add some juviniles (~2" ) cichlids that will end up as medium sized - 5-6", not dwarfs.
From my 20 ga.if possible I'll transfer 6 corys and 8 glowlight tetras to the new tank, and add some neons and more corys.
I was thinking about a rainbow cichlid. I assume that there would be problems if I had a mating pair.
I'd also like to add some live plants - anything easy, like java moss and java fern.

*Any suggestions for medium sized sa/ca cichlids? How many? (I want them to be full size someday in this tank) but would get more than I need and trade in some
*Is my water considered medium hard?
*is an AQ 500 with a fluval 4 for (internal sponge) enough filtration?


I live in northern NJ, so there is a huge selection of SA and CA's so I don't want to rule out hard to find fish.

Thanks!!!
 

Evil Dave

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Nov 27, 2002
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Well, Lets see....

Severums are a good all around choice. If you want hyper-aggro you could try Salvinis. Neets are always fun.... Maybe a Jack Dempsey or a Green Terror....

Ideally, you could keep a pair of medium sized fish in a 55 comfortably, but more than that might get crowded. And if you're going for a mating pair, drop the tankmates like a bad habit. Mating cichlids kill.

For more cichlid choices you might try: www.tangledupincichlids.com

Jeff Rapps has some really interesting fish choices.

As a side note, rainbow cichlids are west african, not SA/CA, but the conditions are similar.

Not too sure about water hardness, but that filter setup should be great.
 

delmore

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Originally posted by Evil Dave
...as a side note, rainbow cichlids are west african, not SA/CA, but the conditions are similar.
I'm talking about Herotilapia multispinosa which is called a rainbow cichlid. It is CA. I guess than is an african rainbow also.
 

Evil Dave

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DOH!

Silly me, I keep thinking of Jewels for some stupid reason. Forget that part, I stand corrected.
 

fishlips

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Dec 22, 2001
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Most medium sized cichlids are going to eat your tank mates. If I put neons in with my 5-6" dempseys I'd be burning money. Dempseys also eat plants and rearange them to their liking. Your GH is in the middle range to soft, which is suited for SA-CA and live plants. I'd go african, you won't be dissapointed. That is of corse if you want to adjust your water parameters. Good luck with your tank.
 
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