Stocking for a 55g Semi-Aggressive

[hpt84]

This is my old aquarium.


However, it doesn't look at that anymore due to me going off to college, etc. I finally got a chance to bring the aquarium from my mom house to my new house, which is three hours away. I'll post a picture of the new setup once i get my hands on a good camera.

I'm moving away from a typical planted community to something a little bit more aggressive.

My current stocking is:
5 tiger barbs
1 austrailia rainbow fish (I know they prefer to be in group but the rest die off over the course of the last 3 years)
2 cichlid (one of them is an electric yellow and idk about the other)
1 red-tail shark

My dream stocking:
5-7 clown loaches
1 red tail shark
10-15 tiger barbs
1 electric yellow cichlid (anyone want a free 5 inches cichlid in middle georgia?)
1 black pleco

I know that I'm overstocking, but I'll have double filtration (2 filters rate for 55g each) and the aquarium will be fully planted.

My only concern is will the red tail shark be very aggressive toward the pleco since they have similar color and shape? I read that red tail shark are very aggressive against fishes that look like it. I want the pleco to keep aglae growth under control. I normally keep snails to control aglae growth, but I assume they will get eaten by the loaches.

Any advices or tips would be greatly valued.

[Fishin Phil]

5 to 7 clown loaches will never fit in a 55g. Sorry.

[Brhino]

5 to 7 clown loaches will never fit in a 55g. Sorry.

yup. Also, Mbuna cichlids (the "electric yellow") should not be mixed with other non-rift lake fish, although I guess you're saying you're trying to rehome it?

Do you know what species you mean by "black pleco"? Some of them will get too big for a 55 gallon.

[hpt84]

5 to 7 clown loaches will never fit in a 55g. Sorry.

Darn. I was hoping I wouldn't have to hear that. Some site list the clown loach as 12 inches full size and some list them as 7 inches. Though I give it a try. O well, maybe kuhli loach then.

[ElizabethJKR]

Also, red tailed sharks get to be huge, I think around four feet or so.

[Brhino]

you're thinking of red tailed catfish. Red tailed sharks (Epalzeorhynchus bicolor) max out around 4-5".

[ElizabethJKR]

Ah, alright, my mistake. I get them confused constantly.

[icefreeze57]

think the RTS should be alright with a pleco, I love mine! Also the TBs are awesome, but nothing with long fins or the TBs will nip them!

Yeah the CLs are going to get way to big :( plus your going to need a bunch of them.

I do like the KLs they won't get to big, they kinda look like eels more then CLs though if you ask me, so if your going for the look of the CLs then I think you'll be disappointed with the KLs. You dont NEED them persay, your tank would cool without them

[hpt84]

yup. Also, Mbuna cichlids (the "electric yellow") should not be mixed with other non-rift lake fish, although I guess you're saying you're trying to rehome it?

Do you know what species you mean by "black pleco"? Some of them will get too big for a 55 gallon.

Most likely it is going to be Hypostomus punctatus or what is available. I live in middle georgia, so the only available pet/fish store within 30 minutes is Petsmart. There is walmart, but I don't ever buy my fish from there.

[hpt84]

think the RTS should be alright with a pleco, I love mine! Also the TBs are awesome, but nothing with long fins or the TBs will nip them!

Yeah the CLs are going to get way to big :( plus your going to need a bunch of them.

I do like the KLs they won't get to big, they kinda look like eels more then CLs though if you ask me, so if your going for the look of the CLs then I think you'll be disappointed with the KLs. You dont NEED them persay, your tank would cool without them

I was thinking about the kuhli loaches just because I love the strip. Same reason why I keep the the tiger barbs. I normally keep cories as bottom dweller, but the clown loaches are so appealing.