need help with 55 gallon.

[Slim2634]

my dad is getting a 55 gallon from a friend at work. but he wants cichlids (i dont blame him lol) but he wants big ones. like he wants an oscar and some other fish. he wont put just one oscar in the tank. he wants a few cichlids. can we put a firemouth, a black convict, a pink convict, a severum of some sort all in the 55? there will be lots of slate caves and things. but im just trying to get an idea of what we can have because he wants a few fish but he doesnt want community. i was thinking all of those fish and 6 tiger barbs for dithers. they will all be fed pellets and flakes. they will all be introduced as babies or at least not mature yet.

 

[cichlid savage]

A 55 gal is probably big enough for 1 oscar and a smaller fish or 2. But large cichlids are very territorial. There isnt much room for all the fish to establish there own territories and that could lead to fighting and injured or dead fish.

 

[Chad55]

I think your idea of the sev, con, and firemouth would be cool. It would work out perfect with the tiger barbs. And no an oscar cannot be kept with other fish in a 55 if in a 55 at all.

Chad

 

[dr_sudz]

Oscars do get quite large I would think that they would be hard pressed to have other tank mates. I think you might want to go with a few smaller ones.

 

[Gee]

can we put a firemouth, a black convict, a pink convict, a severum of some sort all in the 55? there will be lots of slate caves and things. but im just trying to get an idea of what we can have because he wants a few fish but he doesnt want community. i was thinking all of those fish and 6 tiger barbs for dithers. they will all be fed pellets and flakes. they will all be introduced as babies or at least not mature yet.

This would work great. No Oscar though.

 

[JustinC]

I would get a pair of Electric Blue Dempseys with a school of cardinal tetras, a bristlenose pleco, and you might be able to swing a pair of angels in there as well, since the EBJD's are relaxed!

 

[shekes]

Get a Crenicichla!

 

[Slim2634]

im trying to get him to not buy an oscar but he doesnt listen and he said he used to have them in a 55 gallon. but i know there too big. but i would rather see a few smaller cichlids and a school of about 10 tiger barbs in there. that would be cool. how about a firemouth, a black convict, a pink convict, a festivum and a gold severum? and the school of 10-12 tiger barbs?

 

[Slim2634]

im trying to get him to not buy an oscar but he doesnt listen and he said he used to have them in a 55 gallon. but i know there too big. but i would rather see a few smaller cichlids and a school of about 10 tiger barbs in there. that would be cool. how about a firemouth, a black convict, a pink convict, a festivum and a gold severum? and the school of 10-12 tiger barbs?

 

[JustinC]

That will work if the convict does not spawn with any of the other fish. They often will spawn with any other males in the tank and if they pair off good luck, you will need alot of salt,melafix, stress coat and you could be flushing the toilet.
If you want a few cichlids for a 55 get a dempsey, a severum, a jewel and possibly look into a geo jurapari.
Also tiger barbs are aggravating as dithers try a few clown loaches for color and a school of black skirt tetras, but my last suggestion of the EBJD's, angels with cardianls woulg be the most rewarding in the long run.