I would use natural rock and aquascape my own rock cave .. local fish store near you should have plenty of choices .. i have been going to michaels lately to buy larger silk plants and get a great deal ..
hmm k any plants my JD wont tear up?I would use natural rock and aquascape my own rock cave .. local fish store near you should have plenty of choices .. i have been going to michaels lately to buy larger silk plants and get a great deal ..
Anubias or Java fern tied to driftwood is about the only thing most cichlids won't destroy. You could try crinum also but it's hard for me to find locally so haven't tried it yet.
Hit or miss, if that's what you want try it. The GT I had left my clowns alone but harassed and beat up my chocolate. Give it a go, each individual fish is different but you have a decent chance to get one that won't harass the roselines. If you don't like the hump try for a female. Less likely to get a large hump but slightly less showy colors imo. You have a much better chance of getting a GT that is compatible with non-cichlid tank mates than the other way around.
From what I understand male GTs get the hump either when trying to look big to competition or when old. I would stick with the roselines, a group of dollars would get cramped in your tank and their skittishness and shape would likely cause friction with the GT. You could try a group of swordtails. GT shouldn't bother full grown swordtails but will eat any fry so you wouldn't have to worry about a livebearer population explosion. For decor its up to you, I prefer the driftwood w/plants tied to it myself.
In a 55 I would stick with the GT and 5-6 roselines or the 6-7 swordtails plus an albino bristlenose or green phantom pleco and call it good.
And replying here makes me want to get another tank and GT again lol.