rekindled old member

Hi everyone!

okay, so I've actually been a member of MFK since about five years ago. At that time I had Four tanks. a 55, two 29's and a ten. I had a huge variety from Hujeta Gar to cichlids, to crayfish and even a large mouth bass. 4 years ago i sold all of my stuff when my wife and I were buying our house, and I've missed it since. Now i've gotten back on MFK because my wonderful wife just bought me another 55 gal tank for valentine's day!

So I got it all set up with just a couple fish in it till it is really ready to add some fish. So now comes the fun yet tricky part. What fish?? I've been kicking around several ideas. I thought about getting some more hujeta gar, they were quite fun but that requires a feeder tank and what not. I'm not sure I'm quite ready for that again yet. I'm strongly thinking about doing a cichlid tank. they are great fish with great personalities in my experience. i have some questions I'm researching though. I have only had SA cichlids, no African. so I'm trying to find out are the africans as good as the american counterparts. they have great looking colors, but do they have the great personalities and fun factor as the SA's that I have experience with?

Other than possibly doing Africans I am considering this list of fish for my tank:

2 firemouth
1 green terror
2 convicts
silver cat

is there any chance of successfully adding a red devil?

What do you guys think of these fish together, and any thoughts on the African cichlids would be greatly appreciated

Thanks guys, glad to be back to the community

The silver cat is a silver shark. at least in my area that is what they are always called. It is not a bala shark, it is a catfish, i have never quite figured out exactly what kind.

I wasn't to hopeful on the red devil, I've read too many stories about them, but you never know what combo might come out okay. I had a convict, a firemouth and a tiger oscar before with no problems, but i had to get rid of my tank before they reached full maturity.

I just made a discovery on the "silver shark". looks like it is a columbian shark, and as it matures it requires brackish water. I think i might have to return this little guy. seems like a failing on the lfs to sell them as fresh water. I had a couple years ago but never researched them, I just figured they were a typical catfish.

Oh jeez, i am no pro, but i certainly know better than to buy at pet smart. lol. our local one has tanks full of snails and dead fish.


how about a Delhazi bachir with some of these other guys i've mentioned. interesting thought...