no problem- SO Mc Deali If I understand correctly yuou are down to one gourami and two paradise fish? TPIR man do you think she can get away with that in a 55? I know nothing about paradise fish.dying fish
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no problem- SO Mc Deali If I understand correctly yuou are down to one gourami and two paradise fish? TPIR man do you think she can get away with that in a 55? I know nothing about paradise fish.Ok...here's the deal...i know i need to finish my cycling...and now i need to do some returning..here is a list of what we have:
2 female bettas
1 red fire gourami
1 powder blue gourami
4 mickey mouse platys
2 dragon gobys (to be returned..stupid LFS)
2 rope fish (to be returned...shedding a few tears)
1 tire track eel (to be returned...more tears)
2 zebra danios
2 paradise fish
3 bala sharks (to be returned...a couple tears)
2 blue painted tetras
2 pink painted tetras
what really cool fish do you recommend
I have an 9 yr old, 5 yr old, and a 1 1/2 yr old...they love the tank
i want colorful fish but the elongated ones really catch my eye.
again...thanks so much
2 female bettas
1 red fire gourami
1 powder blue gourami
4 mickey mouse platys
2 dragon gobys (to be returned..stupid LFS)
2 rope fish (to be returned...shedding a few tears)
1 tire track eel (to be returned...more tears)
2 zebra danios
2 paradise fish
3 bala sharks (to be returned...a couple tears)
2 blue painted tetras
2 pink painted tetras
what really cool fish do you recommend
I have an 9 yr old, 5 yr old, and a 1 1/2 yr old...they love the tank
i want colorful fish but the elongated ones really catch my eye.
again...thanks so much
All I know is that paradise fish are anabantids, so I would be worried about them getting along with the gourami, as well as with each other. I believe that multiple paradise fish aren't great together, but in a 55G they might be fine (i.e., because each one would have enough territory). But I don't really know anything about paradise fish, either, so don't take my word for anything. Hopefully somebody with more expertise on these specific fish will chime in.
Edit: After seeing the full stocking list, I think there are too many anabantids (gouramis, bettas, and their close relatives) in the tank, but I need to look it over some more.
Edit: After seeing the full stocking list, I think there are too many anabantids (gouramis, bettas, and their close relatives) in the tank, but I need to look it over some more.
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i understand what you are saying about the anabantids...and i have done some reading since last night...crash course anyone?
lol...but there is absolutely no fighting or chasing (except the danios...there spastic anyway) the red gourami will swim toward the paradise and the paradise moves...but no one comes close to the other...one of my paradise fish is fascinated (just sits and stares) at my gargoyle statues...my husband says its in love.
lol...but there is absolutely no fighting or chasing (except the danios...there spastic anyway) the red gourami will swim toward the paradise and the paradise moves...but no one comes close to the other...one of my paradise fish is fascinated (just sits and stares) at my gargoyle statues...my husband says its in love.
danios are spastic- their chasing is likely just social (you meant with one another right?) and nothing to worry about.
So if I am understanding correctly, you are most attached to the ropefish and the eel? because I think one ropefish in a 55 is doable. most polypterids stay under two feet. Is it possible for you to get a 20g? Maybe you could put it in your children's room? you could look in the paper to find one used, scope out garage sales and LFSs- just to make the set up a bit cheaper- I would put the platies, danios, tetras, and the dwarf gourami or female bettas (whichever you are more attached to) in there- the stocking is still a little tight in that set up but if you are really attentive about your maintainence I think you would be okay. I don't know if ropefish and paradise fish would be okay longterm, I don't know that much about either, but I would say return everything else besides one ropefish, maybe research some catfish that appeal to you, some larger schooling fish and see what appeals to you.
So if I am understanding correctly, you are most attached to the ropefish and the eel? because I think one ropefish in a 55 is doable. most polypterids stay under two feet. Is it possible for you to get a 20g? Maybe you could put it in your children's room? you could look in the paper to find one used, scope out garage sales and LFSs- just to make the set up a bit cheaper- I would put the platies, danios, tetras, and the dwarf gourami or female bettas (whichever you are more attached to) in there- the stocking is still a little tight in that set up but if you are really attentive about your maintainence I think you would be okay. I don't know if ropefish and paradise fish would be okay longterm, I don't know that much about either, but I would say return everything else besides one ropefish, maybe research some catfish that appeal to you, some larger schooling fish and see what appeals to you.
That's the thing with anabantids -- they will usually fine at first, but as they grow and establish territory, there can be fierce clashes. Most anabantids are not so much aggressive as they are territorial, but certain species can get ugly.
It appears you've got two paradise fish, two female bettas, and two dwarf gouramis ("powder blue" and "red fire" are just color variations of the dwarf gourami species). It is really tough for me to say which ones would be "safe" to keep. Firstly, we're getting into more subjective territory; secondly, individual fish have different personalities; thirdly, I don't know enough about anabantids to make any recommendation with confidence. With those caveats, my two cents are that I would keep one of the paradise fish and one betta or dwarf gourami. Even then I would keep a close eye on things. This may seem overly cautious (maybe it is), but paradise fish can be nasty AFAIK.
The anabantids aside, there is a lot of potential. If you like long fish, a school of kuhli loaches might appeal to you.
I would also get more of the schooling fish that you already have. The platies were a good choice -- try adding four (or more) of them. Ditto for the zebra danios, but they like more company. A school of 8-10 would make them much happier, and their endless dashing and chasing would probably be fun for the kids to watch.
A school of tetras would be a good addition, but avoid the painted species. They go through a painful process to get that coloration, and this makes them more susceptible to disease. (There's another thing your LFS didn't tell you.) Tetras like the company of their own species, so try not to mix and match.
It might be helpful to look through the Member's Aquarium Specs board to see what other AC members have put in their 55 gallons. This will give you some idea of compatibility and stocking limits. Keep in mind as you're browsing that planted tanks generally can handle a greater bioload than unplanted tanks.
Edit: Oops, the replies are moving too fast for me. IMO, a ropefish is too much for a 55G, but take that as you will.
It appears you've got two paradise fish, two female bettas, and two dwarf gouramis ("powder blue" and "red fire" are just color variations of the dwarf gourami species). It is really tough for me to say which ones would be "safe" to keep. Firstly, we're getting into more subjective territory; secondly, individual fish have different personalities; thirdly, I don't know enough about anabantids to make any recommendation with confidence. With those caveats, my two cents are that I would keep one of the paradise fish and one betta or dwarf gourami. Even then I would keep a close eye on things. This may seem overly cautious (maybe it is), but paradise fish can be nasty AFAIK.
The anabantids aside, there is a lot of potential. If you like long fish, a school of kuhli loaches might appeal to you.
I would also get more of the schooling fish that you already have. The platies were a good choice -- try adding four (or more) of them. Ditto for the zebra danios, but they like more company. A school of 8-10 would make them much happier, and their endless dashing and chasing would probably be fun for the kids to watch.
A school of tetras would be a good addition, but avoid the painted species. They go through a painful process to get that coloration, and this makes them more susceptible to disease. (There's another thing your LFS didn't tell you.) Tetras like the company of their own species, so try not to mix and match.
It might be helpful to look through the Member's Aquarium Specs board to see what other AC members have put in their 55 gallons. This will give you some idea of compatibility and stocking limits. Keep in mind as you're browsing that planted tanks generally can handle a greater bioload than unplanted tanks.
Edit: Oops, the replies are moving too fast for me. IMO, a ropefish is too much for a 55G, but take that as you will.
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no I didn't mean that- I'm sorry- your ropefish will get large enough to eat the smaller species you have in your tank. So that is why I recommended another tank if you really want to keep one. does that make sense? that is why I would suggest you look into larger schooling fish and maybe a nice medium sized catfish.
too fast for me too!- some species stay a bit smaller don't they? the one usually sold under the name ropefish are not an actual polypterus species- do you happen to know what the scientific name is Mc Dealie?
edit again- http://www.thetropicaltank.co.uk/Fishindx/polypter.htm
I looked here- and if he is the first fish I agree with TPIR- sorry to get your hopes up- 36 in is too big for a 55.
too fast for me too!- some species stay a bit smaller don't they? the one usually sold under the name ropefish are not an actual polypterus species- do you happen to know what the scientific name is Mc Dealie?
edit again- http://www.thetropicaltank.co.uk/Fishindx/polypter.htm
I looked here- and if he is the first fish I agree with TPIR- sorry to get your hopes up- 36 in is too big for a 55.
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to Ash-
thanks...i wasn't sure, being that the ropefish needs a larger tank ....i appreciate the advice...i did read that they will eat smaller fish but being that they are small now we weren't worred about that.
to TPIR-
I will not buy any more of the anabantids .....we do want a smaller tank and then a tank for each of the kid's room....but i want to get this tank down pat first...the tank itself was free and i have learned so much since last night when i lost a gourami.
i will look into members spec place to get ideas for better groupings
to everyone-
these LFS's are lame and need to learn things before selling anything
thanks...i wasn't sure, being that the ropefish needs a larger tank ....i appreciate the advice...i did read that they will eat smaller fish but being that they are small now we weren't worred about that.
to TPIR-
I will not buy any more of the anabantids .....we do want a smaller tank and then a tank for each of the kid's room....but i want to get this tank down pat first...the tank itself was free and i have learned so much since last night when i lost a gourami.
i will look into members spec place to get ideas for better groupings
to everyone-
these LFS's are lame and need to learn things before selling anything
Good luck! You definitely have the right attitude, and that is half the battle. Don't forget to have fun.
