So I have an empty 55G tank and really soft water with a high pH. I wanted to do African cichlids, but they prefer hard water. South American cichlids do not interest me. I went to my local LFS (okay, Petsmart) and was told that I could get one or two 'needle fish' (are these gars? what are they?) and some large blue and gold gouramis, maybe two leporinus fasciatus (sp? yellow and black striped torpedo shaped fish) etc. Is this reasonable or did Mr. Petsmart associate have no idea about what he was speaking?
Speak to me of "needle fish"
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If not a type of gar they are certainly related to them. I think they will eventually outgrow a 55g. They also require feeder fish, I think. You can google them for some more information or go to badmanstropicalfish.com, fishbase or many other places to learn more.
Lupin
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Mr. Associate does not know how much damage Leporinus fasciatus can do by ripping fins of other tankmates. The needlefish could be needlenose gar. This is why I even hate common names where several fish share the same name. I am under the impression several gar species will never fit a 55g either. I think you'll have to pass off these two fish. Gouramis are fine. What else fascinate you a lot if not the SA cichlids?
I've seen said "needlefish" in the Petsmart here locally. They are definitely a gar or close relative and I believe they grow to 8-12". Not sure if this matters to you but Leporinus fasciatus is also a plant destroyer.
BTW--I was amused that your screen name is the name of the street I live on!
BTW--I was amused that your screen name is the name of the street I live on!
Needle fish are a type of Gar, specifically, Xenentodon cancila. They will eat any fish they can fit in their mouth. They do get very large. You could MAYBE do 1 in a 55, but that's a BIG maybe.
They don't need feeder fish. They do well on frozen foods and various live foods (crickets especially). My partner, who works in a Petsmart, says they have a very strong odor when out of the water---unlike any other fish he's ever been around.
But, I would pass.
Gouramis are good. Colorful, interesting, and relatively easy to take care of. You can find a lot more color variants these days too.
'Fraid I can't offer my thoughts on Leporinus fasciatus.
They don't need feeder fish. They do well on frozen foods and various live foods (crickets especially). My partner, who works in a Petsmart, says they have a very strong odor when out of the water---unlike any other fish he's ever been around.
But, I would pass.
Gouramis are good. Colorful, interesting, and relatively easy to take care of. You can find a lot more color variants these days too.
'Fraid I can't offer my thoughts on Leporinus fasciatus.
That is true. Most of the bigger gouramis (non-dwarf) can exhibit some cichlid-type behavior with smaller tankmates.
These needlefish are not actually gars, as gars are from the family Lepisosteidae, which includes Florida and alligator gars. Xenentodon belongs to Belonidae, the needlefishes.
Alright, so scratch the needlefish. What would do well in very soft water and high pH? No discus, no anglefish. Something hardy but cool. We used to have silver dollars, leporinus fasciatus (had no fin ripping issues, maybe silver dollars were too fast?), large gouramis and a pictus but unfortunately lost electricty for 5 days in December and lost them all 
Since we got the afforementioned fish before we knew about things like gH and pH and such, we were CONSTANTLY battling against the water params (used Kent's hardner, when that got too expensive put coral in the tank). I still would LOVE LOVE LOVE to do an African mbuna tank, is that really as impossible as it seems with the water I have to work with?
Thanks for all your help by the way. I have done some research online but find soooo many conflicting 'facts' that it's nice to come to a friendly, knowledgable place and get clear, helpful advice.
Since we got the afforementioned fish before we knew about things like gH and pH and such, we were CONSTANTLY battling against the water params (used Kent's hardner, when that got too expensive put coral in the tank). I still would LOVE LOVE LOVE to do an African mbuna tank, is that really as impossible as it seems with the water I have to work with?Thanks for all your help by the way. I have done some research online but find soooo many conflicting 'facts' that it's nice to come to a friendly, knowledgable place and get clear, helpful advice.
Alright, so scratch the needlefish. What would do well in very soft water and high pH? No discus, no anglefish. Something hardy but cool. We used to have silver dollars, leporinus fasciatus (had no fin ripping issues, maybe silver dollars were too fast?), large gouramis and a pictus but unfortunately lost electricty for 5 days in December and lost them all
Thanks for all your help by the way. I have done some research online but find soooo many conflicting 'facts' that it's nice to come to a friendly, knowledgable place and get clear, helpful advice.
Are you using a water softener in your home by chance?
Most fish will adapt to most any water chemistry as long as it is stable. Trying to change it can lead to problems in fluctuations.