My 55g semi aggressive, 20g community

[vanpudin]

Here is my stock .
55 gal- 1 angelfish,2 Paradise Gauramies (m/f),1 Male Betta,1 Firemouth cichlid, 1 Redtail shark, 2 Tiger barbs, 1 Rosey barb, 1 Lamp eye tetra, 1 Dalmation molly, 1 plecostomus

20 gal- 1 Bolivian Ram, 1 Female betta, 1 glass fish, 1 Female guppy, 1 Molly, 6 assorted Tetras.

In my 55g tank the molly and Lamp eye tetra do fine and do not get picked on.
The larger Green tiger barb sometimes chases the firemouth cichlid and other small tiger barb; otherwise all is good. I had 2 buenos aires tetra that got chased by larger green Tiger barb, but intill they died about 2 weeks apart, they never seemed to be harmed. Never knew the cause of death. The Green tiger barb is not as agressive chasing firemouth and small tiger barb as he was with tetras.

I am interested in adding a few more dwarf cichlids or other small south american cichlids that are capadible in the 55g. Ill listen 2 any suggestions.
Is my 55g tank almost fully stocked? The firemouth would end up being the largest in the future, besides the Pleco. For the most part, im trying to keep fish that max out 3-4 inches in size. I know the firemouth will get bigger than that, but it is the prettiest fish i have.
In my 29g tank the Bolivian Ram lost its color after i brought it home. It does seem very happy in the tank though.
Sorry for all the chat, as i do not o0ften chat on forums, so i figured i tell all, thanks.

 

[Aphotic Phoenix]

How much you can stock in a tank kind of depends on several factors such as what kind of filtration you have (in terms of volume), water change schedule, etc.

As for stocking, one thing you may want to consider looking into is the number of barbs you have. Barbs are much happier in larger groups (6 or more), and less likely to stress each other to death due to constant harassment. Also, I think it's generally advised to avoid keeping different types of anabantiods together (i.e. Paradise Fish and the Betta) as they can sometimes be aggressive towards each other. If there is enough room in the 55G for them to have their own territories however it might be okay...different fish have different personalities. Tetras as well are schooling fish and should be kept in groups of at least 6 or more.

 

[vanpudin]

Yea i knew that tetra and barbs are schooling fish, but ended up getting 2nd tiger barb anyway. As far as the male betta goes, he holds his own. His tail is alittle shorter now. Besides fighting i wonder if there tail is senitive to objects in tank. his body is in good shape though, He just looks more like a female. Im trying to keep a variety of fish though, so i may not by any more fish of the same kind. As for the barbs, if they become more of a problem in the future, i may need to find a home for them. I do not have a very big home, so i will not be getting anymore tanks for a while. There for may avoid schooling fish in future. Thanks for quick reply.

 

[vanpudin]

My 55g tank was a kit. It came with a filter rated for 60 gal. I guess thats ok at best. I installed a traditional undergravelfilter. also when im buying fish i try to find some that are more hardy compared to others. Like from what i have read, the Bolivian Ram is a little less sensitive to certain water conditions than the a blue ram for example. The blue paradise gourami seems to be hardy.

 

[vanpudin]

In general im tying to keep nice aquariums without a big hassile as i have a family to take care of. I like the freshwater fish ive chosen because the cost is low. I do bi weekly 40-50 % water changes with python water syphon sucking the gravel. Thanks to all who reply. This is a good outlet to discuss fish.

 

[Ruben Tolon]

I'd be hesitant to add more cichlids to the 55 gallon, because the firemouth will be too aggressive towards most dwarf cichlids (apistos, rams). If you want to remove some of the other fish, firemouths can be compatible with Rainbow cichlids, blue acara, and a few other smaller Neotropical cichlids, but I wouldn't recommend adding any of these considering your stock list. I'd also be on the lookout for aggression towards that betta by any of the fin-nipping species you have in that tank.

 

[Rbishop]

I wouldn't add any additional to that tank. You have enough issues facing you as the ones you have mature.

 

[vanpudin]

Thanks for the replies. I guess if i did anything else, i would take out the dalmation molly first, then maybe the betta. Then also the lamp eye tetra. As the 2nd tiger barb matures, i have 2 find a home for it also. But the tiger barb may hold its own when full grown with certain fish aliitle bigger than it.
I had the molly in my comunity tank first, but it seemed rather agressive for a community fish. Same as the Lamp eye tetra.
It seems odd but its like these community fish in my semi agressive tank act agressive like the others. But i do know i must remove these fish before i add more.

 

[vanpudin]

Well i know the the green tiger barb is full grown i believe. The rosy barb (2.5)now could double in size. So will the firemouth. Red tail shark (3'')may grow a little more.Gouarmies another inch which would make it 4''. My other tigerbarb is about 1.5'' now. Pleco about 3'' but will grow alot more. So the molly and betta will have 2 go soon along with red lamp tetra.

 

[vanpudin]

Here's a question about cichlids that may be capadible with some of my other fish.
Is the aggression of cichlids less if there with different cichlids of different kinds rather than some that are of the same; such as 8 different instead of 4 pair? Just an example.