Help me decide what to put in my nonstandard width 55g..

X

x3ro

AC Members
Jan 20, 2009
162
0
0
I have a non-standard width 55g tank that's 30" wide x 18" deep x 25" tall..

I'm new to fish, and my tank is cycling, so my wife and I have been looking at fish to see what to put in when the cycle is complete....

So far fish we have looked at and like are:

gourami
tiger barbs
bolivian rams
various cichlids
platys
mollys
tetras

I've done some research, but I'd rather get some real-world stocking ideas from people who've been there and done that.

I've read that cichlids need wide tanks to establish territories :( I really like the look of them, but I don't want to keep them if my tank isn't right for them..

Ideas for stocking?
 
Cichlids particularly suitable for a tall, deep tank are angelfish. A spawning pair (start w/6, return the extras after a pair forms) or a single specimen and some tetras would work. A group of Cory cats for leftovers, and a BN pleco to keep the algae under control. A single gourami may or may not work too, might be worth a try though.
Barbs in general are fin nippers, not good w/angelfish (or any other long-finned sorts like gourami's.) Livebearers are not usually a problem with other fish, best kept as 1 male with several females.
 
get cichlids!!!! they are the best, but remember you cant really keep them with anything you listed =p
the way to get rid of the "wide tank" problem is to put rocks and hiding places for them.
 
Jakezori said:
get cichlids!!!! they are the best, but remember you cant really keep them with anything you listed =p
the way to get rid of the "wide tank" problem is to put rocks and hiding places for them.
Click to expand...

I saw the neon blue dwarf gourami at a LFS... That's one of the fish we really like.

I read that angelfish can be aggressive? Is that accurate?
 
Mainly toward other angelfish, though males can be territorial in general. It also depends on the individual fish, tank layout, and other species. Same way w/gourami's, you won't be able to keep 2 males in the tank, but a pair is fine.
 
I have the same tank and for a planted tank it's expensive to properly light. I have a school of 12 Pristella Tetras 4 Badis Badis a BN Pleco 8 Black Neon Tetras 6 loaches (3 Khuli's 3 Java's), 6 Panda Corys, One breeding pair of Apisto Steindachneri (temp until their 20 long is set up) and school of Rasboras. I am going to move the Neons and the apisto and add 4 dario dario.
 
You could add a couple of Bolivian rams to the list that toddnbecka mentioned. I really enjoyed keeping Bolivians while I had mine.
 
I'd go with cichlids
All of those other fish would look pretty small in a 55G
Unless you like BIG school's, then go with Tiger barbs :)
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
AquariaCentral.com
Top Bottom