Beginning Predatory Tank

PredatoryFishMagazine · May 29, 2005

The only aggressive fish I can think of off the top of my head that would be able to live thier whole life in a 55g would be african butterfly fish. They stay small, but they are aggressive. I have three of them in my "oddball" tank, and they'll swim over and bite my hand whenever I do water changes or reach in the tank at all.

Know that I think of it you could also do small cichlids, small knifefish (ones that stay under 10"), or you could just use it as a grow out tank and get something bigger that gives you more space. When it comes to agressive fish, most of them just get to big to be kept in a 55g.

clairefish · May 29, 2005

I think oscars are very cute and lovable if you keep your fingers out of the water!!!

claire

Phtstrat · May 30, 2005

A 55 gallon tank is kind of hard to house any large pred fish in because they are only 12" wide. Most species that would be worth keeping would need at least 18-24" in tank width, so you might consider getting a standard 75 gallon or something of the sort.

rayman45 · May 30, 2005

dwarf snakehead

liljag · Jan 31, 2011

Right now in my 55 I have 2 oscars jag and synodontis

cichlid fiend · Jan 31, 2011

I would get aleast a 150-180. When it comes to stock just try have ur biggest not be the most aggressive and get 3-5 dithers and you should be able to pull it off. I would stay away from FH and hybrids cause they can be pretty nuts when it comes to a community setting. I pulled off a semi- aggressive tank by having my barbs and a pearsi being the biggest fish in the tank with a RT, JD,pike, FM,oscar, and a nicaraguan!