Are 55 gals acceptable for BGKs?
- Thread starter Pyramid_Party
- Start date
IMO 55s are too narrow at only 12". Ideal would be 75g with 18" but I would stretch and say that a 40b has a better footprint for a BGK than the 55g does.
It looks like the voting is favoring "No". I guess you can be alright depending on how big the BGK gets. I guess its a "wait and see" kinda thing, but should be prepared to upgrade.
No
These fish WILL reach 12 inches regularly. Many regularly reach 14 inches and that is a usual max max. Some will get bigger though.
A 12 inch fish in a 12 inch wide tank is wrong IMO. Biggest fish I would comfortably put in a 12 inch wide tank is 8-9 inches.
But different strokes for different folks. Some people love putting big fish in small tanks so w/e. But for me, a BGK needs a wider tank... a 75 is perfect for it IMO and a 40gal breeder would be better than a standard 50.
These fish WILL reach 12 inches regularly. Many regularly reach 14 inches and that is a usual max max. Some will get bigger though.
A 12 inch fish in a 12 inch wide tank is wrong IMO. Biggest fish I would comfortably put in a 12 inch wide tank is 8-9 inches.
But different strokes for different folks. Some people love putting big fish in small tanks so w/e. But for me, a BGK needs a wider tank... a 75 is perfect for it IMO and a 40gal breeder would be better than a standard 50.
I personally think that a 75g would be best, but it is possible for a 55g. They tend to hide in logs (as long as you have it length wise) and they like tight spaces. They can maneuver around tight spots. I think it's possible, but a 75g would be best.
unlike arawanas bgk don't swim long ways they swim at a angle so a 55 would be fine for one till it reaches the 14+ inches
Of course bigger is better, but I don't think the one that I have that is 15" would be uncomfortable in a 55. It just kind of bounces around in the tank during the night and stays in 1 place during the day. I've never seen it use the width of the tank. It will make itself vertical and twist to turn around (even though it's in a 90)
Yeah, thats the same behavior of mine. Plus they are slender and not bulky like a cichlid so that makes it easier on them. They dont swim around actively like lots of fish either.
