Stocking Ideas

Bobby2415

AC Members
Feb 24, 2019
10
1
1
32
I’m setting up a 55 gallon freshwater tank (48” x 13” x 21”). This is my first tank so I’m taking it pretty slow. Waiting on filter to come in, then picking out gravel/decor, then filling with water, cycling and whatnot before adding fish. My pH is 7.76, not sure on general hardness yet. In the meantime I’m trying to decide what I want inside. I’m wanting a couple medium sized catfish, so that eliminates small fish obviously. I am wanting some colorful schooling fish though that are active. Any ideas? I have a couple young kiddos, so I’m hoping to have some fish that they would enjoy watching as well.

Thanks!
 
Last edited:
Welcome! Congrats on starting off with a good sized tank. First thing for me is tank placement. Is it near a sink and a means to dump water? If it's not, can you use something like a python water changer? You have to keep ease of your weekly water changes in mind. Some of my tanks I have to use buckets and it can be a pain.

Secondly, how do you intend to cycle the tank? Ammonia source? Did you order an API master test kit?

I wouldn't be concerned about pH. Main thing is to keep it consistent with your tap water pH.

Catfish are cool, but keep sizes and bio loads in mind. Many need something way bigger than a 55g tank.
 
I've kept raphaels, they are nocturnal & you'll rarely see them unless you are an insomniac. We were disappointed when "gifted" 1., you may be too.

Have you considered corys, smaller plecos or even loaches?

As Joel said, a 55g is a great size to start with. You have many options!

If you're obsessed with a raphael cat, maybe a pearl gourami, & a big school of medium sized rasboras or barbs & perhaps a bn pleco?
 
For a 55 I think a school of what I consider 'medium sized' (±5"), Flagtail catfish would be better. Won't bother the smallest fish.

1.jpg


Hoplo catfish get to ±6" and can be kept with small schooling fish.

m_thoracata8.jpg


There are several species of Mystus catfish that grow between 3" to 8" and are peaceful, though the larger species will also eat
small fish.

mystus-vittatus-01.jpg


Your kids will probably enjoy any of these species more as a raphael.
 
Last edited:
For a 55 I think a school of what I consider 'medium sized' (±5"), Flagtail catfish would be better. Won't bother the smallest fish.

1.jpg


Hoplo catfish get to ±6" and can be kept with small schooling fish.

m_thoracata8.jpg


There are several species of Mystus catfish that grow between 3" to 8" and are peaceful, though the larger species will also eat
small fish.

mystus-vittatus-01.jpg


Your kids will probably enjoy any of these species more as a raphael.

Thanks! I will definitely look into those other catfish. So I’m currently thinking;

(4) Angelfish
(1) Pearl Gourami
(1) Blue Acari Cichlid
(1) Keyhole Cichlid
(2) Boliviam Ram Cichlid? Or possibly something else instead of the Rams. Maybe a colorful school of fish that would do ok with these fish?
(1) Bristlenose Pleco
(1) One of those Catfish you listed.

Thought, suggestions? Thanks!
 
That's too many cichlids (angels are cichlids too). There may likely be trouble when 2 angels pair up to spawn & want more than half the tank for their territory. They sometimes kill the "extras". Angels & gouramis may not get along.

You might have trouble finding some of those catfish. I never see them when I have room, I've always wanted a group flagtails. Be careful not to get an "iridescent shark" (a common, but very large catfish, 4-6 feet!).

That's also a lot of bottom/lower level fish, too many. I'd skip the acara & skip the mystus if you want a smaller schooling fish unless you're really, really sure it's a smaller species.

A large group 12+ of the same species of schooling fish is much more interesting than 6 or 8 of 2 species. Neons & cardinals may be snacks for the angel eventually so go with a deeper bodied fish. But NOT serape or Columbian tetras, they can be nippy to gourami or angel fins. I'm not a fan of skirt tetras either. Kids like them because they come in a few fin shapes, colors (including "glo"); too big, boring to me (possibly nippy) & overbred to get all those variations.

Remember most fish are sold as small juveniles & will grow a lot in a year, to adult size or almost. Lower stocking will make it easier to maintain a healthy tank while you learn. You can add fish later if you want.

How about:

1 smaller angel (it'll grow) 2 may fight...or not, if gotten small

a pearl gourami (or 1 male & 2 females),

a bn pleco

1 flagtail cat or hoplo

1 keyhole &/or 1 ram

10-15 harlequin rasboras (OR lemon tetras, or red or black phantom tetras, even black neon tetras & some others)

That's still quite a few fish!
 
Forget about keeping 1 flagtail... it will be as miserable as 1 cory. Mystus catfish can be hard to get.. and some available species might be to small to be considered 'medium sized' and do want to be in a small group, too.
Hoplo catfish it is then.
 
That's too many cichlids (angels are cichlids too). There may likely be trouble when 2 angels pair up to spawn & want more than half the tank for their territory. They sometimes kill the "extras". Angels & gouramis may not get along.

You might have trouble finding some of those catfish. I never see them when I have room, I've always wanted a group flagtails. Be careful not to get an "iridescent shark" (a common, but very large catfish, 4-6 feet!).

That's also a lot of bottom/lower level fish, too many. I'd skip the acara & skip the mystus if you want a smaller schooling fish unless you're really, really sure it's a smaller species.

A large group 12+ of the same species of schooling fish is much more interesting than 6 or 8 of 2 species. Neons & cardinals may be snacks for the angel eventually so go with a deeper bodied fish. But NOT serape or Columbian tetras, they can be nippy to gourami or angel fins. I'm not a fan of skirt tetras either. Kids like them because they come in a few fin shapes, colors (including "glo"); too big, boring to me (possibly nippy) & overbred to get all those variations.

Remember most fish are sold as small juveniles & will grow a lot in a year, to adult size or almost. Lower stocking will make it easier to maintain a healthy tank while you learn. You can add fish later if you want.

How about:

1 smaller angel (it'll grow) 2 may fight...or not, if gotten small

a pearl gourami (or 1 male & 2 females),

a bn pleco

1 flagtail cat or hoplo

1 keyhole &/or 1 ram

10-15 harlequin rasboras (OR lemon tetras, or red or black phantom tetras, even black neon tetras & some others)

That's still quite a few fish!

Yah that list right there is pretty much what I have come down to. Except I’m really liking the Acara Cichlid so I may do that instead of the Keyhole. I’m really liking the Serpae Tetras. I have read they are tail nippers but do you think they could be ok as long as I got 10-15 of them?
 
AquariaCentral.com