New cichlid tank set up

[Zachk29]

Hello everyone just joined this forum today. So my oscar of 6 years died yesterday. He was my only fish in my 55 gallon tank so I need to redo it. Was wanting to do cichlids again but smaller ones. If you guys had a 55 gallon tank laying around what would you do.

 

[Buphy]

I'd recommend firemouths or other thorichthys sp. or electric blue acara. Most people here are going to agree a 55 is too small for an Oscar or similar sized fish and I applaud your decision to go with something smaller. Other SA/CA cichlid that may work is a convict or other similar type fish, like a Honduran red point.

Oh and welcome to MFK!

 

[Zachk29]

Thank you yeah I was a high school kid and didn't know anything about fish when I got the oscar. Do you know what goes good with firemouths. Been thinking about getting some of them.

 

[Rocksor]

I would put some dithers like swordtails or mollies, and leave the bottom for firemouths.

What's the ph and hardness of your tap water?

 

[Zachk29]

I'm not sure I'm at work right now.

 

[Jakob]

Few options:
South american dwarf cichlids + dithers
medium sized sa/ca cichlid pair + dithers. (firemouths, sajica, nannacara, aequidens pulcher, salvini etc)
Single gulper catfish
Angelfish
Smaller sized gouramies.
bottom dwellers such as corydoras...

 

[Zachk29]

How many firemouths do you think I could get with about 6 dither fish.

 

[Deansy]

Blue Acaras are good with Firemouths. I have 3 Blue acaras (non-electric) and they are splendid and absolutely gorgeous fish. In a 55gal I might do a Firemouth and then maybe a Blue Acara (regular or electric) then maybe some schooling fish.

 

[Zachk29]

I really like the look of the electric blue acara also. Maybe I'll do that I haven't decided lol.

 

[smitty03281964]

You could do Salving's, Grammode's, Jack Dempsey's, Blue Acara's, Firemouth's, man there really is a long list to choose from.