Firemouth in 55 gallon community tank?

[KuchDaddy]

I posted a while back about adding a single angelfish to my 55 gallon gallong community tank, and everyone thought it would be fine. I am also thinking about maybe getting a firemouth instead. I'd like a largish fish to be the centerpice. The final stocking will be

1 - big fish, (firemouth or angel being considered)
7 or so Harlequin Rasboras
5 peppered corys.
Lot's of plants and driftwood,

Would a single firemouth be happy here? Which would do better between the angel and firemouth?

I'd rather not get a pair in order to keep confrontations to a minimum. Also, I'd like to err in the direction of understocking as opposed to overstocking.

Thanks!

 

[moonstream]

firemouths tend to be more aggressive, an angel would be a better choice. a pair of angels will most likely cause aggression issues when they start to breed and try to kill other fish in the tank. bewcause the tank is so large, I would consider upping the rasbora school to 10-20.

 

[severum mama]

My firemouth has killed tiger barbs in the past. I'd go with the angel. You can start with 4 or so juveniles, and wait for a pair to form if you like.

 

[wataugachicken]

i think one angel, 15-18 harlequin rasboras (or two smaller groups of different rasboras), and 8-10 cories would still be well within the stocking limits of the tank, and work out very well.

 

[MySpace Mike]

I agree, go with an angel instead, due to the aggressiveness of firemouths. Pesonally i went with a pair of German Blue Rams for my tank. You can see the stocking of my community tank below.

 

[KuchDaddy]

Thanks everyone, I think I will go with the angel.

 

[jaekwon01]

I just bought a young pair of Firemouths last weekend. I watched them for ages to see which ones were showing least aggression and also seemed more likely to be a pair as they're only young (2"-3"). I have them in my community tank with 1 pleco (who all of a sudden is less shy?) 1 sterbai cory, 1 molly/platy hybrid, 3 mickey mouse platies, 2 black skirt tetras and 1 small pleco/panque (unidentified).
They seem to prefer hiding among the plastic plants than using the cave/tunnels in the tank.
I've have begun feeding them chopped earth worms from the garden, which the platies are now fond of. The Female firemouth is quick to spot them falling. The male usually misses them put picks them off the floor.
He seems to be starting to show some dominance as he is the bigger of the two and the others, except the pleco. His colour is also returning just like he had in the petshop.