55 gallon tank of S.A. Cichlids

[Wrunkeford]

I have a 55 gallon aquarium that I would like to make a community tank. Below is what I want, I need help with some expertise to determine what is best for the fish.

Cichlids with some Tetras for color.
Preference in Tetras - Cardinal, Lemon, Black & Cochu’s Blue.

Preference in Cichlids
Angelfish, Keyhole, German Blue Ram, Red Devil & Rainbow

Would also like to put a couple of dwarf Plecos with some snails maybe.
Clarification, I do not want to put everything listed in this tank. I was thinking about a dozen or so Tetras, of different colors with 3, 4 or 5 cichlids. Not interested in breeding.

My tank has 3 “branch like” pieces of driftwood piled up as a makeshift cave, dark small gravel as substrate, a plastic cave hide and 6 live plants scattered around. The tank has been cycling for about 2 weeks. I just introduced the plants and in a couple of more weeks, I wanted to introduce the Tetras, and after they were all settled in, begin to introduce the Cichlids.
Let me know what you guys think. I am not a pro, but am willing to tackle the work to keep a nice tank. Thank you in advance.

 

[Rocksor]

A 55g is quite a bit small for a Red Devil so I would remove that from your list. It can also eat any of the tetras you have listed.

 

[SHAWNS2]

LMAO yea the red devil wouldnt be suitable at all. Hopefully you meant some species of tetra? and Ik petsmart says a red devil can be in a 40g...even though thats where i bought mine unfortunetly and currently growing out in a 29....haha... but have a 200 for him. I would really suggest some fire mouth cichlids. Usually are pretty passive to my tetras in the tank, but mine absolutley hate plecos and corys. If theres sufficient area for territories, then you should be able to. severeums could also be a good choice as well.

 

[Niki_up]

If you want variety you could try:

1-2 angelfishes
1-2 rams Or 1-2 keyholes
6 lemons
6 cardinals
6 black and cochu’s blue
1 rubber lip or 1 bristle nose
1 snail

that almost covers all the types of fish you want.

I also agree with others that a red devil is not suitable for that tank.

 

[duanes]

I agree with the others, 55 is too small for Amphilophus, and the list of fish above the red devils would not be compatible;e with them.
I consider a 55 only a grow tank large enough for juvie Amphilophines.
Leave off the RDs, and that list is already large enough for the tank, your tank could work.
Not to mention RDs are hard water cichlids from Nicaragua, everything else you mention are soft water fish from S America.
I half wondered if you were punking us, adding the RDs to the list.

 

[Wharf]

BTW Welcome

 

[Farhan123]

For a 55 you could try 2 angelfish, with a small group of Bolivian rams instead of keyholes since they are smaller and more personable IMO. Also, just my opinion but a larger school of 1 to 2 species of tetra looks better than small schools of many tetra. You could try a combo of lemon tetras and candy cane tetras, similar body shape but contrasting colors.

 

[Wharf]

For a 55 you could try 2 angelfish, with a small group of Bolivian rams instead of keyholes since they are smaller and more personable IMO. Also, just my opinion but a larger school of 1 to 2 species of tetra looks better than small schools of many tetra. You could try a combo of lemon tetras and candy cane tetras, similar body shape but contrasting colors.

I agree 1 larger school of tetras

 

[FreshyFresh]

I keep a keyhole and an angel in my planted 55gal. Had them for 2-3yrs. Also have a single old zebra danio, two Austrailian rainbows, some BN plecos and a D-bag of an old tiger barb. It's an odd mix I wound up with over time.

If you really wanted to stick with SA's, you could do a group of keyholes in a 55gal and maybe a school of some small tetras, danios, etc.

 

[Farhan123]

I dont think danios are SA