Stocking 55g

[saix88]

I'm planning on setting up a South American biotope and was wondering what you think about the fish.

2 discus
2 golden rams
2 cockatoo cichlids
12 cardinal tetras
6 oto catfish

Does this sound good? Am I over stocking the tank? If it's not over stocked could I add some cory or more cardinals or just leave it as it is?

I'm going to do a sand substrate and haven't thought out the plants, but I know I want a back wall of swords and drift wood.

I know I will need a high amount of filtration, any suggestions? Should I use a sump?

Really hope I don't need to upgrade the tank because I really want this setup, otherwise I guess I will sell the 55 and upgrade.

[saix88]

Thanks.thumbs2:

[Red]

sounds good to me if you do good water changes!

[leggomypleco]

I would leave out the rams just to make sure water quality is top notch

[thatcichlidguy]

I would leave out the Discus unless this is a grow out tank. Discus are notorious for needing High water quality to remain in good health and free of HITH . Unless your prepaired to do multiple waterchanges every week , and daily as adults they're not a good choice for a 55 . Not to mention that they will outgrow that tank , just not enough room to house them properly. Another point is that 2 Discus is a bad number. One will likely dominate the other and it will eventually die. They are best kept in groups where their conspecific aggression is spread out among several idividuals rather than one getting bullied to death. 1 Discus good , 2 Discus bad, 3 Discus OK, 5+ much better. 1 Discus in a 55 however should be fine but waterquality is crucial here. Change lots of water and it should be fine.

[saix88]

I'm use to multiple water changes so that's not an issue for me. I was planning on getting paired off discus, three of them would not be good because two would pair off and kill the other.

[smaug]

This aint gospel but I think discus need a bigger tank.They get rather large at 8" round,that seems kind of big for a 55 unless you have a tall 55 in the 20" range.That said leave out all the other cichlids to assure no harrassment to the most important fish,that being the discus of course.Go with a group of corys for the bottom and some hatchets for the top and the cardinals wouldnt be a problem either.

[saix88]

This aint gospel but I think discus need a bigger tank.They get rather large at 8" round,that seems kind of big for a 55 unless you have a tall 55 in the 20" range.That said leave out all the other cichlids to assure no harrassment to the most important fish,that being the discus of course.Go with a group of corys for the bottom and some hatchets for the top and the cardinals wouldnt be a problem either.

Way to crush my dream :scry:

[smaug]

As I stated,that aint gospel.I dont usually make it a habit to give advise on fish I have never kept.Im going strictly on there ultimate size,which I know they can attain rather easily.I also know my dwarf cichlids are butt heads and do sneak assaults on my big angel all the time.He is a gnarly old bugger and handles himself very well though,I dont think discus are quite so game.Good luck whatever your choice.

[Red]

I agree, missed the discus for some reason. I would agree with smaug here, maybe take out the discus and add some angels? And the way I started out with discus is to keep them in bare bottom, with them by themselves in 2 75's, A pair in each with a piece of slate in there. I would do this first before trying to keep them in a community..

[smaug]

I agree, missed the discus for some reason. I would agree with smaug here, maybe take out the discus and add some angels? And the way I started out with discus is to keep them in bare bottom, with them by themselves in 2 75's, A pair in each with a piece of slate in there. I would do this first before trying to keep them in a community..
Agreed,angels are much better able to deal with other cichlids,I think they actually thrive with a bit of aggression.Mine did.

[Red]

I agree, it almost makes them happy because they have something to do.

[thatcichlidguy]

I'm use to multiple water changes so that's not an issue for me. I was planning on getting paired off discus, three of them would not be good because two would pair off and kill the other.
If your getting them as an established pair then they ought to be fine, when they're not is where you run into trouble. If the pair is smaller then a 55 might be fine for a little while but they really will need a bigger tank. A bare bottom tank isn't needed but does help with keeping the tank clean . If you want to keep the Discus a community should not include other cichlids. Tetras like rummy nose and cardinals should do fine .

[Red]

I agree with above, but I also think should be added to that it needs to be bigger then 55gals..

[saix88]

I agree with above, but I also think should be added to that it needs to be bigger then 55gals..

Yea I understood that by him saying when they are small a 55 is fine...damn I'm so upset now.

How many angels could I have if I had the same fish but no discus?

[Red]

1 or a pair..

[saix88]

Why is there always a craving for a bigger tank!!! Damn fish drugs...

[thatcichlidguy]

Why is there always a craving for a bigger tank!!! Damn fish drugs...
LOL , even the big tanks get to feel small after a while.

[smaug]

Believe it or not,there is more sastisfaction to be had from one angel then a group.They are a pain in the butt with there fighting and pairing off but as singles they are very calm and serene for the most part.They also get very big and a nicely colored angel makes a beautiful centerpiece fish.

[domjd05]

Discus tend to do better in a species environment... It's too bad they are a beautiful fish.. but they require a lot of maintenence... And yes they eventually will need a larger tank to co exsist properly.

[domjd05]

Believe it or not,there is more sastisfaction to be had from one angel then a group.They are a pain in the butt with there fighting and pairing off but as singles they are very calm and serene for the most part.They also get very big and a nicely colored angel makes a beautiful centerpiece fish.

I agree with you 100%, I have 1 gold vieltail in my SA tank, and he is the showpiece... he comes to the front when anyone approaches, while all the others head for the back, he'll(providing it IS a he.. haha) will eat bloodworms from my hand... very fun fish when they are alone.. together they aren't too bad, but they tend to focus on one another, much like discus do, except discus don't do all that great alone either because they are very prone to attacks from just about any fish.. minus cories and the other little guys.