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Richled13

Feeder Fish
MFK Member
Apr 6, 2008
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Malden, MA
So, I am reconsidering the stocking of my new 55 gallon. I recently added 6 serpae tetras to the tank. I have a smallish firemouth (maybe 2.5") in my 29 gallon tank. I wanted to add him to the 55 gallon once I've established the rest of the tank. A local store (Petsmart won't carry bristlenose catfish but they have these!) just got some nicaraguensis cichlids in, which I hear become very beautiful. And my girlfriend really would like a blood parrot cichlid (I know, I won't get any dyed ones though). Would those 3 cichlids work in a 55 with the tetras, or is that a recipe for disaster? Also, would a jack dempsey be a less aggressive/smaller cichlid than the nicaraguensis? What about an oto or bristlenose with this combo?

I am currently trying to seed some aquaclear filter media with bacteria in my 29 gallon as well (it's one of the two filters I have on that tank). I was going to put it in an aquaclear I had lying around, but evidently that one leaks out of the motor case (d'oh! but at least it wasn't the tank, as I feared for one terrible second!). Can I just put it in the Penguin 350B I've got running? I know it won't fit super well, but I figure every little bit helps. I'll be putting the Aquaclear 30 onto the 55 once the firemouth gets transferred as well. And the 55 has a little filter bag of gravel from the 29, as well as a sponge filter I had sitting (but not running) in the 29, which I later rubbed on the gravel.

Thanks everyone!
 
The cichlids you listed are not too aggressive so they should be fine together. Only thing is the serpae tetras might become snacks down the road.

The Nic and JD both get to be about same sizes and temperament so it's all a personal choice between the two. I personally like the Nic more.

Not sure what a oto is but bristlenose should be fine. Maybe add a group of clown loaches to the cleaning crew.
 
An oto is an otocinclus cat, sorry I should have specified, especially because I think I meant to say pictus catfish! Which fish is likely to eat the tetras, the nic? They are certainly beautiful fish and I can't believe that my Petsmart has them, so I think I might go for it.
 
Yeah, it's a good thing you didn't mean otos, cause they'de be food. If the serpaes are going to get picked off, I'd point to the nic. They're nippers anyway, never had one that wasn't. It could work, but the nic will be the hinge. Pictus or bn would be fine. As for the media, as long as it's not restrictive, it'll be fine. Media's media, no matter what brand it's made for. Just make sure it functions.
 
JD ain't going to work in a 55G. The Parrot itself needs about 50G. Firemouth needs about 20-30G. It could be a grow out tank???

I'll let you decide.
 
Well I appreciate the advice, and I think that's laudable as giving the most space for the fish as possible, but that might be a little too conservative as cichlid-forum.com lists a pair of JDs as a cookie cutter for a 55 gallon. But there are certainly differences of opinion on that. I am leaning against the JD anyway.
 
Well if you just want to keep a single JD then 55G would be o.k, but since you want a community I would say you need at least 75G or more. A pair in a 55g is pushing it. I'm speaking in long terms, but like I said if it's a grow out tank, GO FOR IT! :headbang2
 
Personally I will pick Nic over JD in the tank that size. If you are able to convince your gf (probably not) not to get a BP, try rainbow cichlid. IMO rainbow, nic, and meeki will make a very good CA community. With this combo I also think that the tetra will have a better chance to survive.
 
cichlid forum is a joke....(the cookie cutter recommendations anyway)
 
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