Stocking advice and pic request (pretty please)...

  • We are currently upgrading MFK. thanks! -neo
terd ferguson

terd ferguson

Jack Dempsey
MFK Member
Aug 6, 2007
1,659
20
38
Concord, NC
Now that I have my 55 gallon almost ready to go, it's time to start thinking about some feesh. While my dream would be to have a dwarf snakehead, that ain't gonna happen here in the States. I love African cichlids, but I already have a 54 gallon corner tank full of them.

What I think I want is either 1 or 2 large fish (freshwater). I like mean, nasty fish, but also something nice to look at and something with some personality. Failing this, I'll do another african cichlid tank.

What I want from you guys are some suggestions as to the 1 or 2 large fish mentioned above. I don't have any experience (or much knowledge, but I love to learn) beyond the african cichlids. So help me choose something cool. Please post up your suggestions with pictures.

It'll need to be something that won't outgrow this tank, by the way. I'm open to pretty much anything at this point (freshwater only please). Also, please list a scientific name and a common name if possible so I can do some research on my own. Also, how about some pro's and con's for your suggestions. And don't forget the pics.

I love learning about different kinds of fish and you guys and gals are the best around. Thanks very much in advance for any and all help and/or suggestions. And, as always, thanks for this great forum.:grinno:
 
do a tang tank. i got a 150 tang tank and my wife had a 30g malawi tank. ad one time i had 4 AC tanks. benefit of having more than one is you can move fish around to resolve aggression problems
 
toehead11183;1060851; said:
do a tang tank. i got a 150 tang tank and my wife had a 30g malawi tank. ad one time i had 4 AC tanks. benefit of having more than one is you can move fish around to resolve aggression problems
Click to expand...

I can appreciate that, but I'd kind of like to do something a little different this time.
 
Anybody else?:)
 
I like eartheater cichlids, but they are passive. Try buttikoferi tilapia or red devils. Or you can try a community of schooling predators. Bucktooth tetra maybe?
 
The fish you are thinking of are Red devil, Midas, Flowerhorn, Black Nasty, etc etc..

Your tank is too small for any big fish like that.

What you do have room for is more African cichlids... But way, way more aggressive ones... Fish that will flare their gills at you when you approach the tank, glassbanger africans.

5 spot jewel aka 5 star general (Hemichromis elongatus)
http://tangledupincichlids.com/images/elongatus.pair.jpg

That guy will push 7" or so, slightly larger then most africans but MUCH meaner.


Second would be a Hemichromis Fasciatus, this is much like the 5 star general, but gets larger (11-12") and even meaner.
http://www.tangledupincichlids.com/images/fasciatus.jpg


I think the single Hemichromis Fasciatus, or pair of Hemichromis elongatus (Smaller one) would do very well in a tank of that size.


Second choice. Piranha. This is the list of things I was told could be happy in a tank of this size (Was interested in them for a bit)

x3 red bellys
x1 Altuvei
x1 Brandtii
x1 Compressus
x1 Spilo
x1 Irritans
x 1-3 Sanchezi (they can be housed together but it doesn't always work out)
x15-20 Exodons


Personally, if you didn't go with the larger africans, id go with the Exodons... Those are like if Piranha and Tetra had a baby.
http://www.aquascapeonline.com/scripts/prodView.asp?idproduct=36




OR... The tried and True Green Terror, or Jack Dempsey, or Electric Blue Jack Dempsey... (meh)
 
Onion01;1061727; said:
I like eartheater cichlids, but they are passive. Try buttikoferi tilapia or red devils.
Click to expand...


Red Devils and Buttikoferi get longer then a 55g tank is wide... wouldn't want to put a fish that can get 14"+ into a tank thats 12" wide.

A tank of 75g minimum is needed for fish like that (About 18" wide)

And buttikoferi can (In the right conditions) reach 18-20" in captivity. To keep one solo a 75g is bare minimum.
 
Rakie;1061848; said:
yes they are, but I don't think he wants a short term fish ;p
Click to expand...

You are correect. I'd like something I can enjoy for years to come without having to worry about upgrading this tank. That's why I'd like something that won't outgrow this setup.

Thanks everyone for the suggestions. I'm going to look into those that have been listed so far. I'm certainly open to more suggestions. Actually, I'd like to get as many ideas as possible. Worst case scenario is I learn about a lot of new (to me) fishes. So, bring them on...

How about Datnoids? I like what I've seen in the dat forum. But I see a lot of them get pretty big (too big for this tank). With most of them being named by initials, it's hard to know what kind each is. Can anybody give me any advice going in this direction?

Thanks again everyone.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
MonsterFishKeepers.com
Top Bottom