55 Gallon in need of stocking suggestions

[Hendre]

Now that things are farther along, I'm considering an African themed tank. Below are some species I'm looking at. Note that only a few will actually be going into the final tank. I am aware that some of these probably are anything but compatible. These are just some ideas that a good combination could possibly be made from. Suggestions are always welcome.

Fish:

• Pantodon buchholzi
• Hemichromis lifalili
• Synodontis nigriventris
• Ctenopoma acutirostre
• Xenomystus nigri
• Gnathonemus petersii
• Polycentropsis abbreviata
• Phenacogrammus interruptus

Plants:

• Bolbitis heudelotii
• Various Anubias species
• Aponogeton madagascariensis

I love my African knives and my butterfly fish. I would recommend 2 knives max since they like to have their space, and my 2 are males so I don't know if that means increased aggression or not. They did fight for the first hour or so but calmed down and now rarely more than snap at one another. They also take a while to adjust with feeding so maybe establish them first

African butterfly Is also a cool addition, make sure it eats pellets.

All of the fish I mentioned are doing okay at a PH of 7.9-8.2 and moderately hard water.

Also dim your lighting, my knives don't like the new brighter reflector I put in so floating plants are a good idea

 

[FishTanksOfCO]

I love my African knives and my butterfly fish. I would recommend 2 knives max since they like to have their space, and my 2 are males so I don't know if that means increased aggression or not. They did fight for the first hour or so but calmed down and now rarely more than snap at one another. They also take a while to adjust with feeding so maybe establish them first

African butterfly Is also a cool addition, make sure it eats pellets.

All of the fish I mentioned are doing okay at a PH of 7.9-8.2 and moderately hard water.

Also dim your lighting, my knives don't like the new brighter reflector I put in so floating plants are a good idea

I've kept an African butterfly before and I absolutely loved it. Thanks for the tips!

 

[mattison187]

Angels and loaches would be a nice looking setup

 

[FishTanksOfCO]

Some plants and driftwood.