Possibly buying a 55 gallon tank

[Bellie816]

Okay I am possibly going to be buying a 55 gal tank with everything included and wanted to know what everyone thought. It comes with the fish, so ideas for stocking and/or re-homing fish are welcome!

It has 2 filters (not sure what kind yet), a heater, all the artificial plants, decorations, 2 hoods, and substrate. The fish included are:

2 Silver Dollars
2 Blue Gouramis
1 Pink Kissing Gourami
1 Glass Fish (?)
3 Neon Tetras

Okay so how does this population sound in relation to tank size? I know the neons will need a larger school but beyond that I am not familiar with any of the other fish. I would like to know if I should add more fish or what.

Also....if I were starting with no fish what would be your suggestions for stocking? I am almost overwhelmed at what to start with because it's so much bigger than a 10 gal! lol :ssmile:

[Dave66]

The kisser gets a foot long, so you'll have to get rid of him. As far as the other fish, you'd need to get rid of the neons since the silver dollars will eat them eventually.

What I'd do is keep the silver dollars, add four or five more of them, and take all the other fish to the fish store.

Dave

[Bellie816]

Okay so say I were starting from scratch.... what types of fish would you suggest putting into a 55 gallon? I don't want the fish so small that they get lost in the tank but also not so large that there can only be a few. I want a good variety! :ssmile:

[rich311k]

What kind of fish interest you? Go to store and look around, see what you like and then research them

[Bellie816]

Well here are some fish I was thinking...

8-10 Emerald Green or Peppered Cory Cats
10-12 Zebra Danios
10-12 Cardinal Tetras
10 Harlequin Rasboras
6 Glass Catfish
1 Mystery Snail
10 Cherry Shrimp
Possibly some platys....although I have them in my 10 gallon so I'm not sure.

Other fish I like are the American Flag Fish...but I don't see a whole lot about that species... plecos, and tiger barbs. It seems the tiger barbs would be too aggressive for a peaceful tank. I also like Gouramis but wasn't sure how many to get and if they would be too aggressive. I'm using the AqAdvisor just as a guideline...and it says that the gouramis may be too aggressive to co-exist peacefully during breeding times.

I pretty much need to order most of my fish online as I live in the boonies and the big chain stores here don't have much to offer.

Does it seem like the fish I listed above would stick out enough in a large aquarium?

[lowlight]

Some of the fish you have listed can be nippy and the Glass cats may not do well with them. That would be a well stocked tank and would require good filtration to keep them all healthy. I would also go with live plants not fake. Research each fish and then figure out what they need to live healthy. Below is a list of my 55gal community with a Rena Xp3 filter and live plants. I will be adding 14 Black neons in the near future. Take your time and don't rush it have fun with it and enjoy the end results of a happy tank.

[Bellie816]

Thanks for the help!! thumbs2:

[EmmanuelJB]

Well here are some fish I was thinking...

8-10 Emerald Green or Peppered Cory Cats
10-12 Zebra Danios
10-12 Cardinal Tetras
10 Harlequin Rasboras
6 Glass Catfish
1 Mystery Snail
10 Cherry Shrimp
Possibly some platys....although I have them in my 10 gallon so I'm not sure.



With out the zebra danios or glass catfish I love that stocking option for a 55 gallon. All of the fish should get aong well and they are all really pretty. Instead of the zebra danios I would get rummy nose tetras.

[awgolf_77]

How big are the silver dollars, Id be happy to rehome them for you, if your still thinking about starting from scratch. I currently have 4, and with no other fish in my tank, they would happily be in a great home.

[Bellie816]

How big are the silver dollars, Id be happy to rehome them for you, if your still thinking about starting from scratch. I currently have 4, and with no other fish in my tank, they would happily be in a great home.

I'm not sure... if I get the tank I will let you know. The person I am supposed to buy it from is still not for sure if he wants to sell it. I believe the silver dollars are a year or two old though. How would I get them to you? I live in northern michigan.

[Bellie816]

With out the zebra danios or glass catfish I love that stocking option for a 55 gallon. All of the fish should get aong well and they are all really pretty. Instead of the zebra danios I would get rummy nose tetras.

Any reason to go without the zebra danios? Are the rummy nose tetras more pretty or interesting to look at? :ssmile:

[Bellie816]

What types of gouramis would go well in a peaceful community tank? I have been researching and it seems that some types get very aggressive during spawning and breeding season. Are the dwarf varieties the best to go with? How many can go in a 55 gallon without fighting?

[awgolf_77]

Could probably mail them, most likely I would send a container, hand heaters, and postage. It would be labeled "live fish, do not tip", and I would have it held at the post office for pick up. I live in Wisconsin so hopefully it would only take two days. To bad we missed this nice warm weather for shipping, but two hand warmers wrapped in newspaper, and more paper stuffed around it, I think should work.