I'd go for more discus if you are set on having 2, might as well get 4-5. I've read that they do better in groups.
What are some interesting/pretty large freshwater fish?
- Thread starter JiddleFish
- Start date
i agree with everyone else. Clown Loaches, Elephant Noses and Kissing Gouramis will get far too big for a 55 gallon. Discus do preffer to be in groups of minimally 4 or 5 (slight aggression), so unless you have a breeding pair, it will be small for them as well.
:grinyes:
Also check the temperature range.
Discus MUST be kept over 28C (82F) and thats too warm for many of the possible tankmates.
A 55gal is OK for a school of Discus, but thats about all, not much room for tankmates.
Kissing gourami grow into a large aggressive fish, maybe 10" plus. Could live in in a 55gal, but not with much else.
Clown loaches, they are a social fish. Do best in a group of 6 or more. They are slow growers, but in the right conditions they live a LONG time and get huge. That size tank, get a bigger group of smaller loaches. Yoyo or Zebra are more suitable.
Depends how long you want the tank to run for. When you have fish that are 10 years old you start taking a long term view of tank stocking. But for a 4ft tank you want fish that max out at no more than 8", and even then mixing fish that are 8" and 2" is risky.
Ian
Discus MUST be kept over 28C (82F) and thats too warm for many of the possible tankmates.
A 55gal is OK for a school of Discus, but thats about all, not much room for tankmates.
Kissing gourami grow into a large aggressive fish, maybe 10" plus. Could live in in a 55gal, but not with much else.
Clown loaches, they are a social fish. Do best in a group of 6 or more. They are slow growers, but in the right conditions they live a LONG time and get huge. That size tank, get a bigger group of smaller loaches. Yoyo or Zebra are more suitable.
Depends how long you want the tank to run for. When you have fish that are 10 years old you start taking a long term view of tank stocking. But for a 4ft tank you want fish that max out at no more than 8", and even then mixing fish that are 8" and 2" is risky.
Ian
2x discus (small in size) (These might work, but I don't suggest buying very small discus from LFSs due to health and the care and constant feeding they need. Also might eat your kuhlis long term. As mentioned above need very warm water though.)
2x clown loaches (orange and black stripped) (clown loaches will eventually outgrow tank, but IMO it will take so long that's moot. The bigger problem is 2 is not enough. They prefer to shoal in large groups. And clowns like emaculate water quality and lots of feeding. Zebra loaches (Botia striata) are better suited for your setup)
1x kuhili loaches (One? Kuhli loaches, again a shoaling fish. Need groups)
1x elephant nose (Grows too large, needs special care and feeding to remain healthy)
kissing gouramis(Grow too large, and might actually eat your kuhlis long term)
school of tetras (What kind? Personally I like rummynose and glolights, both small and fairly hardy (IME))
2x clown loaches (orange and black stripped) (clown loaches will eventually outgrow tank, but IMO it will take so long that's moot. The bigger problem is 2 is not enough. They prefer to shoal in large groups. And clowns like emaculate water quality and lots of feeding. Zebra loaches (Botia striata) are better suited for your setup)
1x kuhili loaches (One? Kuhli loaches, again a shoaling fish. Need groups)
1x elephant nose (Grows too large, needs special care and feeding to remain healthy)
kissing gouramis(Grow too large, and might actually eat your kuhlis long term)
school of tetras (What kind? Personally I like rummynose and glolights, both small and fairly hardy (IME))
Just in case you or anyone else needs it, here is a link to some fish profiles that may help in deciding what to choose:
http://www.badmanstropicalfish.com/profile.html
http://www.badmanstropicalfish.com/profile.html
:raspberry: Haha! Ya, I used to be a member over there and might re-join...... Forgot my username and pass!!!
