Adding to my 55 Gallon

[Ryan45]

Alright I have had my 55 gallon for a couple months now and I want to add more fish. I want it to be a community tank by the way.

Here is what I have so far
10 neons
1 betta (could be moved to a smaller tank if need be)
1 panda cory ( have tried 2 different times with groups of six and only one has made it so I don't want anymore of these)
2 ottos
1 common pleco (thats about 4 inches and is going to be moved in a couple months.)

What can I add that is a hardy fish? Will go good with these others? It can eaither be one fish or a group of colorfull fish, though I would prefer a nice group.

Oh and by the way my tank is planted, but the plants aren't that big yet.

 

[matt100]

If you take the betta out, I think a school of tiger barbs would work.

 

[Harlock]

If you take the betta out, I think a school of tiger barbs would work.

Tiger barbs are just too agressive for neon tetras. I would move the betta and think about livebearers. Guppies are nice peaceful fish and slower swimmers so they go very well with neon tetras in my opinion. Guppies do well in a ratio of 1 male to two females at least. You could add a lot to this tank and they come in a variety of colors and oranges and yellows and greens would all compliment the red white and blue of the neons nicely and give you a lot of color and variety. Maybe even 6 female and 2 male guppies. Don't worry if that doesn't sound like a lot, they'll make more, and soon. If you're not having luck with cory cats, I don't know what to say. Mine were very hardy. Maybe give it some time and then try a different source for them or try a different breed. Your fish store might have had a "bad" batch. They would also appreciate a planted tank and the fry they would inevitably provide would have some cover in the plants.

 

[Ryan45]

Wouldn't the Tiger barbs chase the neons around? I hear they are terrible nippers. Also what about mollies or some other kind of livebearer (sp) ? Do Angels work good with the fish I have listed?

Thanks for the suggestion anyone else have any ideas?

 

[rockgitarplaya]

have you thought about dwarf gourami's.

 

[Ryan45]

Tiger barbs are just too agressive for neon tetras. I would move the betta and think about livebearers. Guppies are nice peaceful fish and slower swimmers so they go very well with neon tetras in my opinion. Guppies do well in a ratio of 1 male to two females at least. You could add a lot to this tank and they come in a variety of colors and oranges and yellows and greens would all compliment the red white and blue of the neons nicely and give you a lot of color and variety. Maybe even 6 female and 2 male guppies. Don't worry if that doesn't sound like a lot, they'll make more, and soon. If you're not having luck with cory cats, I don't know what to say. Mine were very hardy. Maybe give it some time and then try a different source for them or try a different breed. Your fish store might have had a "bad" batch. They would also appreciate a planted tank and the fry they would inevitably provide would have some cover in the plants.

Wow you posted at the same time I did Guppies are kind of small or do they get bigger? What about platies and mollies? Or are they harder to keep

 

[Ryan45]

have you thought about dwarf gourami's.

Are they pretty peacfull fish? I don't know they might be kind of hard for me to find around here. How many dwarf gourami's would you need in a group?

 

[rockgitarplaya]

if you are going for a group check out honey gourami's. They stay small and are very beautiful and peaceful.

 

[Harlock]

Yes, guppies stay small, around an inch without the tail. They are hardy and pretty. You could keep other livebearers in the tank if you wanted instead of course. Mollies, platys, swordtails would all work, but they are little more "zippy" than guppies and neons. They zip about and are faster fish in general. Still, lots of variety and color available in them as well. Angels are a bad idea if you want to keep you neons as neons are actually natural prey for Angels. Gouramis can work in a well-planted 55 gallon, but keep in mind they can be combative with one another and other labyrinth fish definately move the betta if you're going to keep a gourami. A single gourami as a show fish can work or an odd numbered group, but again, they need to be watched carefully to make sure they are not bullying one another and if they are, you'd need a place to remove one or more to. Kind of a pain. For what it's worth, I have kept a single blue gourami in a tank with guppies and they did fine but that may have been one of the exceptions and not the norm.

I've seen some balloon mallies recently and I have to admit, they are adorable. I currently have two black and two orange/gold mollies and I think they are fun. Lots of personality. I've never kept them with neons, so I don't know how the neons would react. Maybe some more people could chip in on that combo.

 

[LMOUTHBASS]

Do Angels work good with the fish I have listed? QUOTE]


Hi Ryan,
Hope you get to read this. I have a 55 g I got about a year and a half ago when i was a little newer to the hobby. I bought 6 young angels. I can't tell you how fantastic this type of fish is! I must caution you though - don't get more than 3-4 for your tank!!! I didn't realize how big mine would grow. They are healthy and need a decent sized tank. I need a bigger tank for them which I hope to get soon so they can continue their growth. They are a gorgeous fish with loads of personality. Maybe even just start off with a pair. If you go with angels, I suggest NOT buying them from a chain store becuse IME they are always sick, weak and probably inbred and normally die soon after purchase. The one's I've had most luck with have come from my LFS who gets his from a breeder. So try to make sure you get some from as reliable source. They can be a tough fish to care for initially. You might lose some the first time around, so read up on them but i gaurentee you , you won't regret it! Also, keep them with slower moving fish that don't nip fins! This means tiger barbs are a big no no -If you put angels in with your neons they will in time prey on them when they get larger - the neon is one of their natural prey in the wild - but since angels live a heck of a lot longer than neons and are a more personable fish i would have no problem putting them in there with your current group - if they snack on them in a few months so be it , if you dont mind losing the neons - you'll prob lose some neons anyhow so why not get a fish you really like - this also however eliminates your options for small tetras because they are snacks too - but there are loads of fish you can keep with angels - livebearers are good, platies, swordtails, mollies might work too although I think mollies like a more alkaline water - i've had success keeping rams with angels - i find this to be a stunnig combo - as the angels occupy the top and the rams take the middle to bottom region - check your water parameters to make sure they work for the angels - it's odd you lost cories they are normally hardy and one of the fish i would suggest as a tank mate for you - if not angels maybe you might want to consider some rainbow fish - larger tetras work well too - there are several different types and they are incredible looking - neon dwarf rainbows are brilliant! let us know if you hav other q's! -