Any ideas for a 55 stream tank?

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divemaster99

divemaster99

Dovii
MFK Member
Jan 10, 2014
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Pittsburgh, PA
Could 1 green sunfish work? That or 1 pumpkinseed? I could always put it in my 75 with cichlids (although it would probably murder my danios)

either that or 2 schools of 6 shiners of 2 species, and 6 darters.
 
I think you could do two different schools of "shiners" depending on what species they actually are. I also think 6 darters could be fit in a 55 as long as there are enough rocks and hiding places for them all to set up their own territories. Some darters can be pretty territorial in my experience, but never really to the point of damage other than a little bit of fin tearing. I see that youre in PA so that gives you a bunch of options as far as small stream fish in your area depending on what part of PA. What specific species of shiners/darters did you have in mind?
 
klmt said:
I think you could do two different schools of "shiners" depending on what species they actually are. I also think 6 darters could be fit in a 55 as long as there are enough rocks and hiding places for them all to set up their own territories. Some darters can be pretty territorial in my experience, but never really to the point of damage other than a little bit of fin tearing. I see that youre in PA so that gives you a bunch of options as far as small stream fish in your area depending on what part of PA. What specific species of shiners/darters did you have in mind?
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I don't really know what kinds are in my creek other than emeralds. So probably a school of them and some other kind. I am from SW pa by the way.
 
I wouldn't put any shiners in with creek chubs. They'll end up eaten once the creek chubs get to a certain size. I had a creek chub swallow a bn pleco that was about 2/3 its size.
 
creek chub can get over a foot long, produce alot of waste and can get fiesty. Green sunfish is a possibility but pumpkinseed get too large. There are some attractive smaller species if you wanted multiple, but they wouldnt be local natives. blacknose dace and similiar dace species are easy to keep, peaceful and stay on the small side.
 
Shenanigans said:
creek chub can get over a foot long, produce alot of waste and can get fiesty. Green sunfish is a possibility but pumpkinseed get too large. There are some attractive smaller species if you wanted multiple, but they wouldnt be local natives. blacknose dace and similiar dace species are easy to keep, peaceful and stay on the small side.
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pumpkinseeds get bigger than greens? And yes they must be local natives.
 
Creek chubs are very aggressive and would eat most darters, I would stick with some colorfull smaller minnows/shiners/dace to keep with the darters or even some small topminnows, but you really need to get a petersons fresh water fish guide before you go collecting , many of Pennsylvanias darters are protected "At least 21 darter species have been recorded in Pennsylvania, especially in the Allegheny River watershed. Several are endangered or threatened in the state: The bluebreast darter, eastern sand darter, gilt darter, longhead darter, spotted darter and Tippecanoe darter". What you do have in the eastern Portions of the state are Blackbanded and Bluespotted Sunfish, and well as Rainbow darters and Banded Killifish which would all be excellent for a 55g.
 
green and pumpkins will grow about the same size, but pumpkins potentially get over 10" which is doable but will start to be tight. Greens will be fine for life, but if a pumpkin grows to its full potential it will be cramped in a 55, but that will take years. In my opinion and experience, your tank will look most natural and most interesting if you got with a community of shiners, dace or minnows. If you add a sunfish, small species will get eaten. IMO, shiners are messy and sporadic. All baitfish for that matter tend to be sporadic, but dace and minnows tend to settle down a bit more than shiner species. You also have a native killi which make great aquarium species, and also a native madtom which is a very small catfish perfect for a 55
 
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