Max Fish Size in 55g

[reiverix]

I wouldn't put anything in a tank that can't turn around easily. A 55g is quite narrow. Too narrow for an oscar IMO.

 

[Opicana]

For biotopes I went to the Mongabay website, then I went through and eliminated topes based on water hardness. This aquarium will have naturally very soft water, so I went with softwater topes to reduce the need for adjustments. Next I eliminated any topes that were not moderately to heavily planted...cause plants will be a major part of the tank. I found ALL the biotopes interesting...so I had to eliminate ones for the smallest reasons, just so I could narrow it down. Next I eliminated ones w/o clear water quality info, and long lists of plant and fish suggestions. Lastly, I elminated anything that did not have tetras. Because I think (not positive) I want 2 schools of tetras. I want a peaceful community tank, and I enjoy watching schooling fish. This left me with three topes on the Mongabay site...

West or Central African River
Southern African Swamps
South American Blackwater Stream

Here are the species listed as present in a West/Central African Stream:
African Tetras
Mormyrids
African Knifefish
African Butterfly Fish
Synodantis
Hemichromis
Pelviacachromis
Tilapia

Species in the South African Swamp:
Mormyrids
African Tetras
Barbs
Spiny Eels
Haplochromines
Tilapia
Hemichromis
Synodontis
Clarias Catfish
Annual Killifish

Species in South American Blackwater Stream
Discus
Angelfish
Dwarf Cichlids
Tetras
Hatchetfish
Corys
Farlowella
Loricarids

I have not researched any of these fish, so I don't know what is considered unreasonable. I am thinking Tilapia are unreasonable for a 55g...

 

[sumthin fishy]

a 55g is 4" long and 13" front to back. I personally wouldnt do anything that could not swim one body lenght front to back. Making arround 6" the biggest I would do. I really hate watching oscars and the like folding themselves in half to turn arround.

I really like my SA tank, and am partial to those fish, but your ideas for the african tanks sound nice. Of course, I wouldnt do ALL the fish in your list, mabey 3 or 4 types of different strata of the tank.

 

[Opicana]

I really like my SA tank, and am partial to those fish, but your ideas for the african tanks sound nice. Of course, I wouldnt do ALL the fish in your list, mabey 3 or 4 types of different strata of the tank.

Oh! Of course not, that is just a list of ALL the fish that they say are present in the environment...I am sure they cannot cohabitat nor would I place them all in the tank even if they could! I want the tank to remain understocked to give it a more natural look. As of now, I know nothing about the fish on the lists, really. So any help with what gets a long with what would be helpful!

 

[pugwash]

Species in South American Blackwater Stream
Angelfish
Dwarf Cichlids
Tetras
Hatchetfish
Corys

The above works nicely in a 55g - you could add pencilfish as well.

Edit: You could add a couple of ADF's in there too, if it's not too much taller than 12".