Vote for Best Bottom-Dweller for my 55 gallon long

[SilverArowanaBoi]

Hey y'all! I'm trying to determine what fish is best for my tank. If you choose the last option, could you specify below what combo would work? Thank you!!

Also, I currently have a Striped Raphael, and I don't want to get rid of him hence why one of my options was 2-3 more Striped Raphael Catfish.

 

[fishhead0103666]

What even is a 55 long? What’s the dimensions?

 

[SilverArowanaBoi]

What even is a 55 long? What’s the dimensions?

4 ft long, 13-14 inches wide, 20-22 inches tall (I don't remember the exact dimensions, but those are the closest I can think of)

 

[abominus]

voted!

 

[Jexnell]

Bottom dwellers for me are dependent of the main fish. To me they should at least actually run across each other in the wild.

So in the other poll, going with what I picked, Jewel cichlids. I would get a riverine syno cat, specifically the smallest one since space is limited.

 

[SilverArowanaBoi]

I've been thinking about mixing the options above. Something like this: 1 Senegal Bichir, 1 Featherfin squeaker, 1 Striped Raphael. I keep my decor sparse, and even though I will change it sooner or later, it will still be light and appropriate for larger bottom dwellers.

 

[Jexnell]

The Raphael while a cool fish, during the day is like having a pet rock.

Yes I know it's a spotted one, but this is all it did during the day. When it's dark it will get active so be aware to feed it appropriately at night. And it has a sufficient hiding spot for day time.

 

[SilverArowanaBoi]

The Raphael while a cool fish, during the day is like having a pet rock.
View attachment 1528135
Yes I know it's a spotted one, but this is all it did during the day. When it's dark it will get active so be aware to feed it appropriately at night. And it has a sufficient hiding spot for day time.

I currently have a Striped Raphael that I've had for a year. It honestly depends on how you set up the tank. If you set it up with a ton of hiding spaces and whatnot, you will rarely see it, but if you decorate it sparsely, you will see your fish a lot more and see it more active.

Then again, I am completely biased with Raphs, and I love them to pieces, so I will defend raphs extensively

 

[Deadeye]

I currently have a Striped Raphael that I've had for a year. It honestly depends on how you set up the tank. If you set it up with a ton of hiding spaces and whatnot, you will rarely see it, but if you decorate it sparsely, you will see your fish a lot more and see it more active.

Then again, I am completely biased with Raphs, and I love them to pieces, so I will defend raphs extensively

All fish will fail to act naturally without enough hiding spaces. The only reason you would see it is because it can’t hide, which I would guess would stress it out.
I do agree with Jexnell that you should make your bottom feeder call based on what else is in there.

 

[SilverArowanaBoi]

All fish will fail to act naturally without enough hiding spaces. The only reason you would see it is because it can’t hide, which I would guess would stress it out.
I do agree with Jexnell that you should make your bottom feeder call based on what else is in there.

No, I have plenty of hiding spaces and it is comfortable, it's just I don't completely stuff the tank with decor. I've seen some people completely stuff their tanks with decor where there is barely a line of sight for the viewer, I don't do that. Mine just has two medium-sized pieces of driftwood and 2 large lava stone cobbles. And all the decor is around the same height, which is really low leaving plenty of space for my current Oscar baby to swim.