first off you will need a biofilter for everything, all of the fish you have mentioned will have lots of waste and will need a lot of filtration, that being said, the fish that you have mentioned are too big for a 55 as other people have expressed, but it can be done if you are an experienced fishkeeper. I strongly suggest that you set up your tank and filter first and once you have done that ask around again, you will get much better advice this way.
55 Gallon tank, Tiger Oscar or Texas Cichlid?
- Thread starter CichlidFan779
- Start date
I suggest going with a Jack Dempsey cichlid. They are beautiful fish and one would fit perfectly in a 55g. You could even add some firemouths or convicts.
Listen when people say that both a Texas and an Oscar get too large for a 55. Don't keep a fish in a small tank because that's what you are restricted to. It's not fair or beneficial to the fish. There are numerous fish that can live quite comfortably for life in a 55, choose those fish. Search the forums and read about some of the smaller cichlids. Convicts, Firemouths, and Rainbow Cichlids are just some examples.
I agree with HOVA
I have seen carpintis get every much as big as texas cichlids despite what sites say. I think jack dempseys are a good decision since they usually top out at around 10". If it were me though I would get a pair of salvini, cutteri, neets, centrarchus, or some other smaller growing central. You could always order online. Might I recommend Jeff Rapps. He has all the fish I mentioned.
jack dempseys get up to 10 inches big, 2 or 3 inches less than a texas, and convicts breed like crazy, yes i know that female convicts have orange bellies, but i am not interested in those breeds, i'll search for a 75 but if i can't find a cheap 75 gallon aquarium kit (about $250) then i'll get a 55 gallon, a true male texas cichlid, and a couple of senegal bichirs and hope for the best
