55g stocking list ....

[Terrorizing Cichlid]

GT and a JD

but if you are looking for fish that will really interact with you, I would say most likely a single mean cichlid. Because all the community fish that can fit and get along in a 55 will be fishes that are same and they are prone to hide a lot.

 

[Rakie]

Or you could read my original post ..... I don't want just one fish ....

there were lots of good suggestions for more then one fish in there as well, and a few for one single fish which could sway your opinion.

 

[scratanut]

You have a lot of options, a colony of well maintained dwarf cichlids, or a combination of midsized agressive(&semi) CA/SA cichlids like convict, salvini, severum, GTs, along with a shoal of (large)tiger barbs can make it more active, but dempseys can get too territorial for this. A peaceful community of angels, kribs with some schoolers can also be a good choice.
check this out http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Kf09u8MX8hA&mode=user&search=

 

[Cross127]

If you want smaller fish you could do a couple same sex cons, a couple same sex firemouths, and either a JD or a GT. That would get you 5 fish that could work in a 55 if you have good filtration and maintain.

What??? No way can you fit 2 cons, 2 fms and a jd or GT. IMO GT's and JD's need 55 gallons ALONE. Many people don't relize but they can get monsterous. I have seen GT's as big as 14.5" long and JD's upwards to 12". I know you guys are going to say pics but I don't have any so... . I say stick with Africans or go with smaller SA's/CA's such as FM's cons, Acara, Apistogramma, Microgeophagus, Angels, maybe even a nice discus setup. A severum will be an excellent fish to have in there!

 

[elting44]

Angels and Rams are fun, all of mine will eat bloodworms from my hand. I haven't kept anything other than jewels, cons, and silver dollars. I know angels and rams are by no means "]V[ 0 |\| S T E R" but oh well

 

[Headrush]

I agreed that a male GT or male JD would be better off singly in the 55. You may also want to consider the max length of some of these fish. Most 55's are only 12 in wide and this could make it difficult for a longer fish to turn around decorations and things inside.

My first thought was a pair of salvini or firemouths, but I think Cross is onto something with the Discus idea. They need really good water though, and plants too I believe

Good luck

 

[Headrush]

Angels and Rams are fun, all of mine will eat bloodworms from my hand. I haven't kept anything other than jewels, cons, and silver dollars. I know angels and rams are by no means "]V[ 0 |\| S T E R" but oh well

They may not be MONSTERS but those fish will test your dedication to the hobby for sure. your rams look fantastic, and thats not easy. I'm sure you work hard to keep them that way

 

[Rakie]

The 55 gallon tank is the worst idea in History... Why ? Because its 48" long, people think they can put all kinds of cool crap in it, but its 12" wide..... Thats horrible, its far to thin for most fish, unless you want a wet pet, or one pair of fish (Salvini, Grammodes *maybe*) then you're SOL, unless you want FM or Cons.

As Cross said, GT and JD get 10" alone, and can get larger... A single 10" fish in a 55g really fills it up.

 

[Calvert13]

The 55 gallon tank is the worst idea in History... Why ? Because its 48" long, people think they can put all kinds of cool crap in it, but its 12" wide..... Thats horrible, its far to thin for most fish, unless you want a wet pet, or one pair of fish (Salvini, Grammodes *maybe*) then you're SOL, unless you want FM or Cons.

As Cross said, GT and JD get 10" alone, and can get larger... A single 10" fish in a 55g really fills it up.

..... very true!!

I wish I had the cash to get something bigger at the time ..... I really want a 180g but I just didn't have the cash.

I got the 55g for $55. PetCo had a $1 a gallon sale on their tanks, but the largest was the 55. They had 75g and up but they said the largest they could sell is the 55g .... I was pissed.

Thanks for all the ideas .... I might just stick with africans in this tank and start save'n for the 180g ..... now what to tell the wife.