Stocking ideas for a non-standard 55gallon

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I would like to try breeding some smaller cichlids. But convicts dont really appeal to me.
The electric blue acara looks cool but looks docile? Like it doesn't have the aggression level i want XD
 
I would like to try breeding some smaller cichlids. But convicts dont really appeal to me.
The electric blue acara looks cool but looks docile? Like it doesn't have the aggression level i want XD
It won’t be easy to find an aggressive cichlid for that size. Doesn’t get meaner than cons (which can play with doviis and Midas).
Rainbow cichlids, Honduran red points, and nanolutae can get a mean streak, though not as bad as convicts.
My krib pair claimed half of my 60 gallon and killed a rainbow shark defending fry.
If you want something really mean you may not be able to do cichlids.
 
If you want to keep aggressive NW cichlids that is not the tank to house them in. Dwarf cichlids or 1 angelfish in a planted tank could work.
If you want something more aggressive maybe try a smaller species of Tanganyikan cichlid like Neolamprologus cylindricus, or buescheri, and maybe 1-3 Petricola catfish.
 
So your talking about apistos and ramirezi? I have 2pair in other aquariums ;)
Im looking for a little bigger. And the green terror just looked cool. And if you look it up they say for 1fish a 55 should be enough?
Sorry, im just a little dissapointed.
Water quality shouldnt be an issue tho. I do my maintenance
Amatitlania nanoluteus would probably work in that size tank.
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another smaller central American is Neetroplus nematopus.
Pound for pound I consider it "the" most aggressive (read territorial) Central American, they make dovii look like pussy cats.
If you do try Neetroplus, acquiring 1 male and about 6 or 7 females would be the way, and in the process, expect to lose a number of females thru attrition.

But that's probably the case with most Central Americans.

But instead of aggressive, do you really mean predatory?

In the Andinoacara realm, I have a spawning pair of Andinoacara coerleopunctatus, that top out at about 7" (smaller cousins to GTs).
I started with about a dozen wild caught individuals.
As they matured, the alpha male, killed all other males, and a few females.
The left over mated pair rule a 185 gal tank, and have spawned a number of times.
They have allowed 3 other females to live
 
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Amatitlania nanoluteus would probably work in that size tank.
View attachment 1464955
another smaller central American is Neetroplus nematopus.
Pound for pound I consider it "the" most aggressive (read territorial) Central American, they make dovii look like pussy cats.
If you do try Neetroplus, acquiring 1 male and about 6 or 7 females would be the way, and in the process, expect to lose a number of females thru attrition.

But that's probably the case with most Central Americans.

But instead of aggressive, do you really mean predatory?
Wow the neets are good looking! Just looked them up. Never knew the adults looked like that! They look African, I guess because of the resemblance.
 
Pair may be risky. Might not be enough space for a female to escape with only 2 feet.
Maybe the case but I've seen them do fine in a semiplanted tank with lots of mini terracotta pots for hiding and breeding . But you never know , anything is possible with cichlids?
 
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