Gutsy Mix, Can it be Done? 2.0

[Joshuakahan]

Agreed - deeply considering tossing one in with my wolf for some extra detritus cleanup. I’m not even sure it’s because they’re armored - it’s just because they always hide lol

I had a striped Rafael with my red wolf without issue. I’ve heard not only are Rafael armored but also venomous, I haven’t been able to confirm that though

 

[SilverArowanaBoi]

I had a striped Rafael with my red wolf without issue. I’ve heard not only are Rafael armored but also venomous, I haven’t been able to confirm that though

Raphael's are not venomous. I've done extensive research on them because they're my favorite catfish. They do have sharp spines though and a tough exterior.

 

[SilverArowanaBoi]

Also, there is one other thing I forgot to mention, I don't want any fish that I absolutely HAVE to buy live food for. I don't have an extensive budget (though I wish I did) and I don't have places for live food nor the time to go back and forth from the pet store to get live food. So please don't mention any fish that need live food in order to survive (hence another reason why I'm throwing out the Arowana idea). I will get dried food and MAYBE frozen food, but beyond that, no.

 

[Deadeye]

Also, there is one other thing I forgot to mention, I don't want any fish that I absolutely HAVE to buy live food for. I don't have an extensive budget (though I wish I did) and I don't have places for live food nor the time to go back and forth from the pet store to get live food. So please don't mention any fish that need live food in order to survive (hence another reason why I'm throwing out the Arowana idea). I will get dried food and MAYBE frozen food, but beyond that, no.

Everything I’ve mentioned will take to pellets or frozen readily. The butterfly is the only exception - I haven’t found if they require live crickets or if that’s just a treat. I’m sure it could be trained.
My wolf and del took to pellets on day 1.

 

[SilverArowanaBoi]

I would also suggest a red wolf fish. They are the smallest wolf fish, but still get a good size (10 inches). They are incredibly active and a great show fish, as well as highly aggressive. One of the most rewarding fish I have ever kept. There isn’t much by way of tankmates that isn’t also a snack, but in a 55 it could possibly be kept with an armored catfish. Mine is in a 36 bow front - as he grows he may need more space but at 6-7 inches now he isn’t showing signs of needing an upgrade.
A senegal bichir is also a good fish for that size tank - it isn’t large enough to prey on other larger fish but is an impressive fish on its own. Delhezi get larger but are said to be good in a 55 (I personally wouldn’t do less than 75 for the extra width). A sen would do well with the African butterflyfish I mentioned in your first thread (which is a relative to silver arowana).
Personal preference, but any of these fish to me are far more appealing than a silver arowana (maybe because aros are overdone).

I'm definitely interested in the idea of the wolfish (it's also beautiful), though I would like for it to have tankmates other than just my precious Striped Raphael. I'm also highly interested in the Senegal bichir. I want a platinum one of those if I could get my hands on one or if I can't find one, I want an Ornate bichir (I know they get larger, but could it technically work for a 55-gallon?)

 

[Joshuakahan]

Also, there is one other thing I forgot to mention, I don't want any fish that I absolutely HAVE to buy live food for. I don't have an extensive budget (though I wish I did) and I don't have places for live food nor the time to go back and forth from the pet store to get live food. So please don't mention any fish that need live food in order to survive (hence another reason why I'm throwing out the Arowana idea). I will get dried food and MAYBE frozen food, but beyond that, no.

Everything I mentioned will eat frozen or pellets

 

[Joshuakahan]

I'm definitely interested in the idea of the wolfish (it's also beautiful), though I would like for it to have tankmates other than just my precious Striped Raphael. I'm also highly interested in the Senegal bichir. I want a platinum one of those if I could get my hands on one or if I can't find one, I want an Ornate bichir (I know they get larger, but could it technically work for a 55-gallon?)

An ornate will absolutely not work in a 55. Careful getting morphs of Senegals, they have bad genes many times and do not live long. I learned that the hard way

 

[Joshuakahan]

I'm definitely interested in the idea of the wolfish (it's also beautiful), though I would like for it to have tankmates other than just my precious Striped Raphael. I'm also highly interested in the Senegal bichir. I want a platinum one of those if I could get my hands on one or if I can't find one, I want an Ornate bichir (I know they get larger, but could it technically work for a 55-gallon?)

Check out gold wolf fish, they’re by far the most active. Supposedly they’re too big for a 55, but I had one solo in a 120 for well over a year and it didn’t get anywhere close to too big for a 55. Just keep that top sealed as wolffish will jump through the smallest openings and keep filter splash to a minimum since that triggers jumping

 

[Deadeye]

Any sen would work, but as mentioned (and this goes for any fish) the more line bred for a trait the less healthy it is.
Ornate get large and lose their color with age, dels have a similar speckled look and stay smaller.
Going off of wolves, smaller pike cichlids have a similar look and may be more forgiving to tankmates, I have no experience with them though.

 

[SilverArowanaBoi]

Check out gold wolf fish, they’re by far the most active. Supposedly they’re too big for a 55, but I had one solo in a 120 for well over a year and it didn’t get anywhere close to too big for a 55. Just keep that top sealed as wolffish will jump through the smallest openings and keep filter splash to a minimum since that triggers jumping

Okay, I checked out the gold one, I think the red wolf fish is prettier and less risky. I also got your note on the ornate and variations on Senegal bichirs. I'm slightly saddened I can't have an ornate as they are honestly some of the most attractive bichirs, but I'd rather not push it. I didn't know that platinum fish tend to have bad genes and stuff. I currently have a platinum parrot fish and he hasn't had problems, but if there is a big risk with platinums and other variations I won't risk it further than I already have.

Also yet another note, I'm looking for fish that are colorful, active, and big (but not too big), y'all probably have figured that out by now and y'all have already suggested many options within my wishes, but I still thought it may be helpful to mention it.