New 55gallon

[AR115]

1st time aquarium owner but experienced with fish somewhat (1000 gal backyard pond)

Just got a 55 galllon tank recently.After thorough cleaning we added black eco complete substrate, filter (seachem tidal 75), cobalt accu-therm heater and an LED light. Water treated with Prime then Fritz zyme 7. Also have an established Emperor 400 filter running.Added some plants (amazon sword,cardinal, few others). All info and products from a longtime reputable local fishstore owner. We have been running the tank For a month with both filters and just added 2 Koi angel fish from a family member. Suggestions for stocking and anything else we should be doing?

so far our list of possibles tankmates
1 jack dempsey (if at all possible)
1 red tailed black shark
3 bn plecos
6 cory catfish
2-4 blue acara
2-4 geophagus
10 tetras of some sort



how far off are we as far as what would work?
TIA

 

[Blakewater]

My main suggestion would be steer clear of the JD because he'll disrupt the community setting you're trying to build. Other than that, just dont get one of the bigger geophagus species and keep the water changes up, should be good. Just as an fyi though, a Red Tailed Shark (aka rainbow shark) will devour all your plants relatively quickly.

 

[DwarfCichlidLvr]

I agree with blake.
And get big tetras. Like skirts, congos or Columbians. (there are others)

 

[AR115]

Thats what i kind of figured with the JD. Did not know that about the red tail shark tho! I think they are so cool but obviously not if they destroy all the plants.

 

[tlindsey]

Welcome aboard

I suggest the Blue Acara, Corydora, Tetra , Bristlenose Pleco, wouldn't do the Geophagus but maybe Rams. Most Geophagus species are substrate sifter's hence the name Geophagus means earth eater. The other species may be become territorial imo.

 

[DwarfCichlidLvr]

Welcome aboard

I suggest the Blue Acara, Corydora, Tetra , Bristlenose Pleco, wouldn't do the Geophagus but maybe Rams. Most Geophagus species are substrate sifter's hence the name Geophagus means earth eater. The other species may be become territorial imo.

I totally agree. Bolivian rams would be the type I'd suggest.

 

[Yuki-Rihwa]

That Jack Damsey will beat the rest of the tank into pieces

 

[AR115]

Noted!

 

[duanes]

To me, 55 gallons means getting fish that don't exceed 5.5 inches.
It would only be a grow out tank for most cichlids you mention, JDs reach 10", as do many Geo's.
A pair of blue acara would work, with tetras, a bristle nose, and Corys, but without any other cichlids, or as suggested by others, Rams or some other dwarf cichlids would be a good choice and are very Geo like, being close cousins.

An alternate scenario might be a pair or trio of the genus Gymnogeophagus from Uruguay, with similar cool water Cory's and Buenos Aires tetras, in an unheated, room temp tank. These Gymnogeos seldom exceed 5'.
Below Gymnogeophagus quilero male

Gymno sp Paso Pache

Below Gymnogeophagus balzani, with cool water Corys

 

[DwarfCichlidLvr]

To me, 55 gallons means getting fish that don't exceed 5.5 inches.

With the exceptions of discus and angels.