Stocking 55 gallon

[tabendall]

I currently have a planted 90 gallon with angels and rainbowfish, a 12 gallon nano with multies and a 24 gallon planted nano with tetras. I have decided to downgrade to one 55 gallon non-planted tank. I have been keeping fish for 35+ years and have experience with saltwater, africans, central/south american cichlids ... you name it. I've had so many favorites over the years so having a hard time deciding on stocking.

If you had one 55 gallon tank, how would you stock it? Thanks for sharing your ideas!

 

[ustabefast]

A bare bottom tank with lots of driftwood and hardscape can be attractive and easy to maintain.
A quirky choice would be to use a blue light and stock with glow danios and tetras along with a few blind cave tetras which look great under blue light. Maybe a few of those florescent laser cories for the bottom.

 

[fishorama]

I like my 55g hillstream loach & stiphodon goby tank...but it's planted

 

[tabendall]

A bare bottom tank with lots of driftwood and hardscape can be attractive and easy to maintain.
A quirky choice would be to use a blue light and stock with glow danios and tetras along with a few blind cave tetras which look great under blue light. Maybe a few of those florescent laser cories for the bottom.

That's a cool idea! Thanks!

 

[tabendall]

I like my 55g hillstream loach & stiphodon goby tank...but it's planted

I'm sure it's awesome! I just don't want to put the time into keeping my plants nice anymore. I may keep my anubias because it's so carefree.

 

[tanker]

I have never has a Goldfish tank, that (to me) maybe fun.

 

[tabendall]

I have never has a Goldfish tank, that (to me) maybe fun.

Funny - I've never considered goldfish! I always thought they were messy and not very smart. Do you have experience with them?

 

[tabendall]

I've been thinking about building a tang tank starting with my shellies.

 

[tanker]

I have had shellies, but not for almost 35years now. They were fun and easy to keep. I have never had a Goldfish tank before.

 

[Catfisharebest]

maybe give some native fish a try? Sunfish are cichlids and behave as such, and a stream setup similar to that for hillstream loaches gives you hundreds of choices alone. We have so many underrated fish that are worth a look! Not his best picture, but this is my adult male Rainbow Darter