hey guys i just got a 56 gallon tank. this will be my first time owning a tank, however i do have past experience with tanks because of friends, however I was looking for some input. i live in florida and was looking to put wild fish in, I was thinking maybe a couple of small peacocks or an oscar but i am looking for fish suggestions as well. also if anyone has any links to good youtubers or vidoes that can help me get started i would really appreciate it
looking for suggestions
- Thread starter jacob_s
- Start date
Welcome aboard
Search the forum under Cichlids South America and you will find plenty of info here from experienced members.
If you’re looking at ferals down in Florida not many will do well in a 56g. Maybe Mayans¿, though I’m talking out of my keester there, I’ve never kept them. Your fish will be much better off if you stick to the smaller ones like Acara/convict size.
Since you are newish, definitely google search the nitrogen cycle in aquariums and understand it. #1 reason for 1st Time failure is failing to cycle the tank.
What kind of filter are you going to run? I know the tank and a AC110 won’t fit on the back. Fx4 or 406 or something similar in size would work well but cans are a lot of work. Easiest to maintain would be 2 AC 70s.
Since you are newish, definitely google search the nitrogen cycle in aquariums and understand it. #1 reason for 1st Time failure is failing to cycle the tank.
What kind of filter are you going to run? I know the tank and a AC110 won’t fit on the back. Fx4 or 406 or something similar in size would work well but cans are a lot of work. Easiest to maintain would be 2 AC 70s.
Good advice here. Please don't put peacock bass or Oscars in a 56 gallon tank, it's much too small for the fish. Especially since the fish has already lived in the wild, putting it in a small tank would not be a rewarding experience for you or the fish. Similar to putting a german shepherd in a crate meant for a cocker spaniel.
Some cichlids found feral in the canals of FL will do well in your tank size however. I have heard you guys have jewel cichlids, convicts, and salvini down there. These species would do fine in the tank size. Jewels, you could probably have a group of 5 or so in there. Convicts and salvini may have to just be a pair of them or a small group, one male and 3 females would probably work.
Some cichlids found feral in the canals of FL will do well in your tank size however. I have heard you guys have jewel cichlids, convicts, and salvini down there. These species would do fine in the tank size. Jewels, you could probably have a group of 5 or so in there. Convicts and salvini may have to just be a pair of them or a small group, one male and 3 females would probably work.
Hah, didn’t know they had feral jewels. Jewels or convicts would be a great choice!
your 56 is a 30x18x24 inch right? i would say your tank is large enough for one medium sized cichlid and a medium size catfish. maybe a jack dempsey or green terror+raphael cat. perhaps a male threadfin acara, really pretty fish. some may disagree but i actually keep my red devil in a similar sized tank. but hey if he would stop killing everyone he could go in a bigger tank lol.
you could also do, which in my opinion would be a more interesting tank, a smaller community. a pair of acaras, maybe even four, with a school of tetras, some rainbowfish, and some flashy corydoras or one of the aforementioned raphael cats.
good luck with your tank. and like everyone else said, dont try oscars or peacock bass they are much too large. also dont go with african peacock cichlids if thats what you mean mean cause theyre lame lol.
thank you for the response, understanding that a peacock or oscar would not be a good fit, do you know any really aggressive fish that would be a good fit? thank you!
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If you want owner-interaction, a short-body flowerhorn would be good. Make sure you get a shortbody, the normal ones will get far too large for the tank. But the shortbodys act the same and stay smaller.
Salvini is an aggressive fish that woud be fine in your tank, but they are mostly aggressive to other fish and may not glass-bang or show their aggression if kept alone.
Sajica is another species that would work, they look like miniature midas cichlids with the nuchal hump they develop, and can be quite owner-interactive as well