Max cichlids for a 55g

[Lt_MPFD]

I'm not new to having fish, but I am new to cichlids. I would like to set up a tank for some and found a guy who has a 55g completely set up with cichlids in it. He said he's had them for a few years and get along fine, but he's got an Oscar, Jack Dempsey, 2 parrot fish, paco (which he doesn't want to sell with group due to size) a sucker fish and cat fish.

Based on what i've read this is too many fish for a 55. Am I correct? If I am, I don't want to get it, but if they're ok, it's a great deal that I'm going to jump on tomorrow.

[William]

you are correct

[Lady Hobbs]

Too many fish in his tank. A 75 is recommended for one Oscar all by himself.

[Lt_MPFD]

Thanks. I found the aqadvisor site on someone elses post.. with just the oscar dempsey and 2 parrots, even with 2 60gal filters the tank is at 174% of it's max capacity. I didn't include the pacu, sucker or catfish. Thus, I'll be passing on this "great deal". Glad I did my homework.

[Lady Hobbs]

I merged your two posts together. Each question only needs to be asked once.

You made the right decision but it's too bad because someone else will buy that tank and those poor fish will be crowded in someone elses house. Good for you for doing your homework.

[congar15]

You should buy the setup and sell all the fish to your local pet store

[xDIRTYSOUTHx]

So the pacu is in the 55g? If so be warned he will grow FAST and a 55g will not hold him for long. A basic 55g is about 12" wide and soon he would not be able to even turn around in that tank.

My pacu "POJO" is 9 years old and 15" long. If they had only warned me when I bought him.

[Lady10Godiva]

If I had a store that I knew would buy them I would go the suggested idea of buying the setup and selling the fish. My super tiny lfs only carries angels for cichlids so that would never happen here.