What to recommend for a first tank

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Sizzlahr

Feeder Fish
MFK Member
Nov 12, 2011
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indianapolis
My friend is getting a tank and has no idea what he wants. He saw my two tanks and wants one. I explained maintenance, proper filtration, African/ SA cichlids, oddball ect. Sooo he is gonna get a 55 gal. What fish would you recommend . He wants peaceful and interesting fish. I'm thinking loaches, barbs, maybe discus.. But not sure .
What do you think?
Or what would you put in a 55 gal


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Sizzlahr said:
My friend is getting a tank and has no idea what he wants. He saw my two tanks and wants one. I explained maintenance, proper filtration, African/ SA cichlids, oddball ect. Sooo he is gonna get a 55 gal. What fish would you recommend . He wants peaceful and interesting fish. I'm thinking loaches, barbs, maybe discus.. But not sure .
What do you think?
Or what would you put in a 55 gal


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For a first time tank I'd do angelfish more robust than discus. Some tetras and loaches would be a nice peaceful community colorful to


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I would (if possible) take him to the LFS and see what he likes and then explain what is or isnt possible to keep in his tank...

That way less likely he'll see something later and wish he got that instead?


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First off.. I'de get a 75 not a 55... or a 40breeder... 55's imo are great for a community tank of small fish, or smaller africans but thats about it. and I would take him "fish shopping" before I took him tank shopping... know his price point.. space ect.. but find a fish he wants then get the appropriate set-up... don't put the cart before the horse... If more people did this there would be far fewer overstocked tanks and/or less need to upgrade ect. a 75 imo is going ot be far better suited for the vast mjaority of "starter fish" includeing a vast majority of med size cichlids or oddballs... anything that gets much over 8" imo is to big for a 55 with only a few exceptions. but a 75 or even a 40B can hold up a 12" fish much better... and in the end.. more water volume is better... so even if the 55 could house whatever he wants..the extra few inches/gallons will only help.
 
I'd start him with an Oscar... he will love this fish cause they are easy to find with tons of personality. Then when he upgrades... as this oscar out grows his 55, he will start the sickness of multiple tanks and join MFK... muaha, muahahahahahaaa
 
Depend on his personality. Oscar is a good choice...75 is a better size but 55 is doable.

The difficult thing of course is to resist getting more fish when he buys a 2 inch Oscar and the tank looks bare for half a year.


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Discus would be kinda jumping into the deep end of the pool to start. I agree with those who've said, take him fish shopping first then select the tank. 55's seem big but they are somewhat limiting in what you can really keep, other than angels, which would not be a bad first cichlid.

Mbuna could work, but are whole different kind of trick and are not always the most peaceful. Take him shopping or better yet, search around at some of the stock lists on vendors here.....sometimes it helps to see adult size and coloration. Some of the coolest fish are very drab looking as juvies

Amy hit the nail on the head....don't put the cart before the horse. And yes a 75 will be a far better option for a 4 footer
 
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