Rethinking my 55

[eveliens]

I currently have some African Cichlids in there and am considering rehoming them and redoing my 55 gallon.

Right now I have:
2 Electric yellow labs (m/f)
2 Astatotilapia latifasciata (m/f)
2 Labidochromis exasperatus
1 OB Peacock (f)
1 Yo-yo loach
1 Platnium gourami (f)

Decor is currently black sand, blue background, lace rock, texas holey rock, java ferns, fake resin rock.

I was considering:
5-8 male rainbows
2 or 3 purple spotted gudgeons
and maybe something else?

Keeping the black sand but doing low light live plants and lots of plastic plants with some fake wood or rocks.

Or:
2 electric yellows
1 yo-yo
1 gourami
and maybe some semi-aggressive schoolers like rosey barbs?

Suggestions or opinions?

 

[davidtcb1]

I think either option you'd probably be ok with. The gourami may grow to harass the labs, but will just depend on the fish. If you only have one gourami, it'll likely be no problem.

I love rainbows and that would look really cool with those in there. I'm also a fan of Geophagus Jurupari or any other geophaguses. They do well with rainbows and a school of barbs. I'd probably leave the Africans out of the mix if I did the rainbows and gourami(s). You'll have plenty of color if you pick the right rainbows especially.

 

[jm1212]

the goruami may be aggressive, but it is the labs that will harass the gourami. they are MUCH more aggressive than the gourami.

the list with the rainbows looks good, except you probably shouldnt have a tank wtih all males. you'll see better colors if you have a school with both males and females.

 

[eveliens]

The labs and the gourami have been living together for somewhere between 2 and 3 years. I'd say the gourami is much more assertive (never seen her be aggressive, but no one messes with her either), although, the tank as it is now has little to no aggression at all.

I already have 5 rainbows and I'm sure that 3 out of the 5 are male. I'd just move them over from another tank and add a few more.
I have:
1 Glossolepis incisus
1 Melanotaenia australis
1 Melanotaenia trifasciata
2 Melanotaenia lacustris

 

[Greggz]

I've got a tank full of Rainbows and couldn't be happier. They are peaceful, colorful, don't get too big, and are always active, roaming the tank constantly. My tank is all males, and I get plenty of flashing and color displays.

I had a tank of Africans years ago, and loved that tank too. The only problem was it was a violent place, and I got tired of having beautiful fish picked on to death.

Here's my stocking. Right now only 4 are at a mature size. Most were bought very small. A few like the Praecox and Millenium stay pretty small (2 1/2-3 1/2"). I tried to get a nice mix of colors (yellow, organge, blue, silver, red). I may have to cull some as they grow.

(5) Boesemani Rainbow (Melanotaenia Boesemani)
(3) Blue Rainbow, Lake Kutubu (Melanotaenia Lacustris)
(4) Neon Rainbow (Melanotaenia Praecox)
(3) Tami River, Millenium Rainbow(Glossolepis Pseudoincisus)
(2) Goyder River Banded Rainbow (Melanotaenia trifasciata)
(2) Running Creek Banded Rainbow (Melanotaenia trifasciata)

 

[davidtcb1]

Nice setup and fish Greg...I love rainbows too. Looks great.