What new addition(s)? [55g, Raphael, CLoaches, Bichir, Synodontis]

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E

E36 328i

Feeder Fish
MFK Member
Sep 23, 2008
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SJV, California
Hi,
Not trying to post another "stock me" thread, but I need some help.

I have a 55 gallon planted tank underway, the inhabitants include a very old (20 years of captivity in my family) Raphael Catfish around 6.5"-7" in size, three 2-3" Clown Loaches, 6.5"+ Albino Bichir, and a 3" Synodontis Catfish.

As for filtration I have an Emperor 400 and an Emperor 200B (was an old filter I used on a 30g). I plan on getting another Emperor 400, a canister filter (Not sure which yet), and some Koralia powerheads to stir up the mulm on the sand bed a little.

I am wanting to get a pair of Red-Spotted Severums for the showcase fish. I was also considering something along the lines of Ctenopoma acutirostre. Anyone have any ideas for any other cool mid-level/top level fish I could add?

Do I have enough room for a pair of Severums and possibly Ctenopoma acutirostre? Would these even be compatible with my current stock? Am I overstocking as it is?

Thanks!
 
I wouldn't add the severum pair due to their size and that of the current inhabitants, but I'd add the ctenopoma though as long as filtration and water changes are up to par
 
So severums are too large huh? I guess I will have to wait to get them. They're among my favorite fish. I guess I'll have to wait until I can get my hands on a 130g+.

I really do like Ctenopoma though. How many is adequate for them? Are they at all sociable?

Anyone else have any suggestions for other good tank mates? I want something that will swim mid-level / top to fill in my tank more. i was thinking the Severums because they are easily seen and are very sociable towards their owners. My Raphael will eat Krill out of my hands if I put it near his hiding hole, but he quickly retreats. I also really like Leaf Fish, Eels and other oddballs.

As for the tank conditions, my tank has a pH of ~7.2, 0 Nitrites consistently, and a Nitrate reading of 20 (which I think is largely to blame on a couple of my swords dying back due to a higher amount of light added to the tank). I do a ~20% water change weekly and stir the sandbed up when I can. I want to get some powerheads to stir the mulm up a bit more. As aforementioned, I'll be adding more stringent filtration as funds allow (I'm a college student) as I really like to stick to overfiltration on my fish tanks.

Thanks again for all the input!
 
acutirostres can be kept with anything that doesn´t fit their mouth and aren´t too aggressive. as I said, look up kingsleyae. nice midlevel oddball fish.
 
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