Need help with tank mates! Please help!

[Datcakedoe]

My current set up is a 55gallon tank with filter for 75g tank , 75g heater temp set to 78, air pumps and aqueon 700 circulation pump recommended on box for 55g, 2 inch of gravel with many fake plants scattered around for decor.(I know my current tank size I'd to small and I plan on upgrading to atleast 100g once fish get bigger) Currently I have 2 green terrors, 2 retail sharks, 1 OB peacock cichlid, 3 mixed African cichlid, and a school of 7 phantom tetras I heard that would make a good dither (all fish are fairly juvenile, largest in tank right now is one of the green terrors maybe 3.5 inches big)
My main concern is will all my fish be able to do okay together? I know some people frown upon mixing south American with African, also is it true the phantom tetra school will suffice as a dithering tool with these fish? Local pet stores have also suggested I try the overstock method and add atleast 6 more tetras and 5 more African to reduce aggression between other Africans and hopefully balance the aggression of the 2 green terrors. Right now aggression is fairly low, nobody seems to be fighting nor claiming territory, only problem so far is that 1 of my phantom tetras were ate as a snack but typically aren't bothered to much and happily roam free schooling around the tank. Please share your knowledge and advice with me for I am somewhat lost, I am open to all corrections, suggestions, feedback, and insight.

 

[Drstrangelove]

First, welcome.

I'd suggest you post:

1) The size of the fish. Small fish sometimes don't work together once they get larger.

2) The types of Africans. Some might be okay with non African, while some might not even tolerate each other.

3) Your plans for moving these fish. A new tank?

4) Your "favorite" fish. If you have a choice for which ones to keep, which are your must haves.

My experience is limited to the green terrors. I had two and they didn't work well together or with others (in a 55 gallon) once they got past a certain size, although they were in a tank with other fish. Yours might. Mine didn't.

By no means am I saying this can't work, but without knowing all the species, one falls to general answers. In that case, yes, I'd avoid mixing some of those.

I would not advise buying 11 more fish, at least not those, under that circumstance. It's possible you're already over stocked as is (again depending on which species you have.)

 

[Datcakedoe]

Hello and thank you for the reply I appreciate all input very much.
To answer your questions
1) the largest fish is one of my green terrors, 3.5 maybe 4 inches, next my other green terror 2.5 maybe 3 inches, next my mixed Africans range from 1 inch to 2 inches max, next my 2 red tail sharks both around 2 inches, then finally the school of phantom tetras ranging from an even 1 to 1.5 inches.

2) I'm not 100% sure what types the Africans are I know 1 was labeled as an OB Peacock Cichlid, while the other 3 were simply labeled "Mixed African Cichled" the tag at the store said adult size 5 to 6 inches that's about all I know.

3) my plans for moving these fish would be simply slowly adding 1 fish at a time to a 100 gallon after it's all set up and reading all set on the water test strips (I dont plan on moving though until fish get a little bigger)

4) my favorite fish would have to me the largest green terror, my Hope's were if I got all the fish in there while young and raised them together the 2 green terrors would act as center peace's, whilst surrounded by the mixed Africans, accompanied by the school of tetra, with the red tailed sharks patrolling the tank bottem.

What I stated above is pretty much my main goal, all of these fish living together in harmony. However I am very nervous and hesitant with the idea I am afraid even though the tetras are okay now they will over time be picked off, I'm also afraid the green terrors will completely dominate the tank, from what I've heard people end up having single green terrors alone in tanks because of there aggression level but that's the last thing I want.

Also would you happen to know if the local pet stores suggestions could possibly work? (Adding additional tetra to create a larger school for a better dither affect, as well as adding more African cichleds so no one fish can be targeted by aggression) I am also currently only feeding flake and pellet, no live or frozen, the pet stores told me that could reduce aggression, as well as reducing tank temperature?

 

[TwoHedWlf]

Red tail sharks tend to get to a certain age and then get extremely territorial and murder everything in the tank.

You have two of them.

Green terrors are also reasonably territorial, and so are the africans. They're also not really compatible water conditionwise.

Also, moving one fish at a time to the larger tank is a bad idea, the single territorial fish will decide the whole tank is his territory and attack the new fish you add. Best to move all your media to the new tank and move them all at once.

 

[Datcakedoe]

Thank you for the reply!

Do you have any advice on what direction I should take my tank? Where would you take it?

I am open to all ideas, I suppose mainly I want a fairly stocked tank, the more fish the better, what would you suggest stock wise (please give a suggestion for stock that would work if I kept 1 green terror, as well as if I kept the africans)

 

[tlindsey]

Thank you for the reply!

Do you have any advice on what direction I should take my tank? Where would you take it?

I am open to all ideas, I suppose mainly I want a fairly stocked tank, the more fish the better, what would you suggest stock wise (please give a suggestion for stock that would work if I kept 1 green terror, as well as if I kept the africans)

Welcome aboard
Keep the Green Terror and rehome the African Cichlids.

 

[Datcakedoe]

Thank you for the reply!

If I were to keep the green terror and rehome the Africans, what other fish would I be able to keep with him? Would I be able to keep my school of phantom tetras? Would I be able to keep my red tail sharks? I definitely dont want just 1 fish in a 55g, I would hope to have a fairly stocked tank or is that impossible with the green terror?

 

[Gourami Swami]

Hello,
I don't think your stocking will work out well like this. Keeping a green terror in a 55 for life is debatable, personally I would say it is a bit too small for a full grown male. If you post pictures of the africans we can help you identify them, they are probably mbuna or peacock hybrids which generally get to around 6" or so and are aggressive. With these fish, you generally do want to keep a good amount of fish in the tank to spread out aggression, but you have to keep bioload of the tank in mind as well and don't go overboard. I have heard that GT's do fine in hard water with high pH, but if you have a very low pH, the africans probably won't thrive, as they like it high & hard.
In my opinion, with two potentially 10-12" fish, and all those other smaller fish as well, you will have trouble keeping the tank from being filthy when they are mature. The cichlids also might tear up the tetras and co. when they are larger.
I would recommend these stockings:
GT (female, or male until larger than about 8" if you want, which might take quite a while)
Tetras, etc (hopefully GT leaves them alone)

or

African cichlids, remove the rest of the fish, buy 10ish more africans, put some crushed coral in gravel or some holey rock to keep pH a bit higher

 

[Datcakedoe]

Thank you so much, this is pretty much exactly what I was looking for, i appreciate the help very much! My apologies for my lack of knowledge, i recently acquired my tank out of no where and i just also happened to be wanting to get into fish and start up a nice tank, only having minor tank knowledge from 10 or 20 gallon tanks in my childhood so I figured heyo why not do this. I'm really into reptiles currently myself, having a bearded, a pair of crested geckos, ball python, and a nice red tail boa, idk if anyone on here is also into reptiles but, anyways, I appreciate the help!

 

[Gourami Swami]

no worries, good that you are looking to educate yourself on how to care for them. Usually better to do before buying them, but hey live and learn. I have had my share of reptiles as well, loved my crested gecko and ball python that I had back in the day.
One question- how long has the tank been set up and running with fish in it? DO you know about the nitrogen cycle?