I Want A Cool Fish.

[tricksterpup]

I don't want to start an argument, but a Senegal bichir, african knife, and african butterfly fish will fit in a 55, especially if that's all that will be going into the tank.

The African knife, Xenomystus nigri, only grows to 8 inches. Its min tank size is a tank 3' x 1'.

Senegal bichirs, Polypterus Senegalus, grows to a foot and can be kept in a 55.

The African Butterfly fish, Pantodon buchholzi, only grows to 4 inches and could be kept in a 10 gallon.

Freddy, that is still a large bio load for that size of tank. For a tank that only 13 inches wide, 2 12 inch fish will find that pretty cramped along with an 8 inch knife fish. Those fish need larger tanks and keeping them in something that small will cause problems down the line.

 

[BELLUM]

get 4-6 severums.

 

[nomadofthehills]

get 4-6 severums.

ROFL

 

[StreetCypher]

Freddy, that is still a large bio load for that size of tank. For a tank that only 13 inches wide, 2 12 inch fish will find that pretty cramped along with an 8 inch knife fish. Those fish need larger tanks and keeping them in something that small will cause problems down the line.

True, a large bioload for a 55g. Overfiltration and a good maintenance schedule is a must. Especially considering the diet these guys get. But, chances are he's going to be getting these fish as juveniles. That said, they grow fast, but the 55 will last them a while (perhaps about 1 year). Once they are full grown then something 18" wide or even better 2' wide should be considered.

i hope i didn't contradict myself from earlier

 

[MonoSebaelover]

Another oddball option is the Spotted Leaffish (Ctenopoma sp-don't remember which one). They are also sold at Petsmart for only 5.99, most other places you will find them for 29.99 (which is pretty expensive for them!). They would work well for the oddball tank listed above (you could go with the bicher, butterfly, sm knife, and the Leaf). You can do heavier bio-loads, you just have to have good filtration (get some Emperor 400's) and then do frequent water changes. The leaffish only gets to 5-6" and is in the same family as the gourami's. They are really fun fish, I have one with my Black Ghost Knife. Both are fun to watch! Hope this helps and good luck!