Options for 55 gallon

[Jrenwa]

Just got a new 55 gallon up and running. I think I want to go with some South American Cichlids. Im thinking about buttikoferi raising a few young then trying to keep a pair in my 180 gallon when they get big enough. What do you guys think, also thinking maybe Midas? Just curious to hear some ideas.
Thanks

 

[tlindsey]

Just got a new 55 gallon up and running. I think I want to go with some South American Cichlids. Im thinking about buttikoferi raising a few young then trying to keep a pair in my 180 gallon when they get big enough. What do you guys think, also thinking maybe Midas? Just curious to hear some ideas.
Thanks

Buttikoferi are from Africa and Midas are from Central America.

 

[BIG-G]

Aside from these two species listed not being South American.
I wouldn’t suggest either of them for a 55. Both these are large robust cichlids.
I would recommend a min tank size of 125 for either of these fish.


If I could make a suggestion for a South America 55 gallon tank .
How about a community tank with a few tetras, (there’s many to choose from) a school of corydoras (again many to choose from) and apistogramma for the center piece?
Could be really beautiful display with some drift wood and leaf litter a few river rock and a couple spawning caves for the apisto.

 

[Jrenwa]

Aside from these two species listed not being South American.
I wouldn’t suggest either of them for a 55. Both these are large robust cichlids.
I would recommend a min tank size of 125 for either of these fish.


If I could make a suggestion for a South America 55 gallon tank .
How about a community tank with a few tetras, (there’s many to choose from) a school of corydoras (again many to choose from) and apistogramma for the center piece?
Could be really beautiful display with some drift wood and leaf litter a few river rock and a couple spawning caves for the apisto.

Thanks for the advice. I understand that I’m talking about tasing them up in the 55 then moving them to the 180 when they are grown.

 

[astrocreep]

Thanks for the advice. I understand that I’m talking about tasing them up in the 55 then moving them to the 180 when they are grown.

You could basically choose any South American cichlid to raise in a 55 then move to a 180. Only question is how many and for how long?

Green Terrors would be a great choice, or any other Acara-type species. Oscars are South American, you could only raise 2 or 3 in a 55 for a couple months though, but do well in a 180 as adults. There are dwarf types like apistogramma (mentioned above), which you could have an awesome 180gal paradise for some dwarf cichlids, could do a whole South American themed tank (mentioned above). List goes on, its really what you want to do.

If 55 is all you have for now, I would only stock your choice of cichlid in there and wouldn't put more than 4 or 5. Let them grow, see what happens, they may pair off, they may kill the weakest one, they may all be females, who knows? haha

 

[Glenn238]

What kind of stock do you have in your 180

 

[Jrenwa]

I have 2 jack Dempsey right now that I’m going to get rid of most likely but they are doing fine In there. And a foot long striped Raphael that I will keep.

 

[Glenn238]

Why don't you just start the new stock out in the 180. while quarantining the new fish that will give you time to rerhome the jds just a thought

 

[Toiletcar]

Why don't you just start the new stock out in the 180. while quarantining the new fish that will give you time to rerhome the jds just a thought

X2 on this. IME fish grow faster in a bigger tank too.

 

[duanes]

I find a 180 to be quite a wimpy size tank for buttkoferi, they can reach about 20 inches long and almost a tall , when I had them back in the 80s, mine quickly out grew a 150 gallon and had to be moved to a 300 gal horse trough, and even in that size tank they killed each other off.
A 180 would be a better size tank for a few midas.