Help me stock my 55 gallon

[GallonsOfFun]

I have a 55 gallon tank but I'm not sure what to put in it. I like fish with intelligence and personality.

Ideally, I'd like an Oscar, but I know it would soon outgrow the tank. I've looked extensively at African Cichlids, but I don't feel equipped to deal with the aggression just yet. I've looked at fancy goldfish. I thought about doing an all livebearer tank, but I wasn't sure how to deal with all the breeding. I've looked at Amazon puffers but I can't find anywhere that sells them.

As you can see, I'm unsure but theres a pattern. I'm not looking for a community tank, I'm looking for a species specific (more or less) tank with fish that have personality.

Please add your own opinion on what fish you think I should look into! Also feel free to comment upon my previous ideas. Help much, much appreciated!!

 

[Chels10117]

Angelfish! They are so beautiful.

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[sealife]

single green terror with single bristlenose

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[ImACoolguy]

Technically a 55g is bare minimum for an Oscar. It's just not recommended because of keeping water quality and because of its width.

You could do a riverine tank with a bunch of loaches they are hilarious and interesting to watch especially in groups.

Dojo are my favorite though they are cold water. They are hilarious and active 24/7.

Kuhli are popular tropical ones.

These plenty of other ones as well.


Caleb

 

[enrgizerbunny]

Angels do well, there is quite a bit of variety out there, and a couple bottom dwellers of your choice.

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[Sonata]

I am battling with the same problem.
Goldfish was my first thought.
I've had an Oscar before, but, for some reason, I lost interest.
One member suggested silver dollars with cardinal tetras. That would look nice.
Like you, still searching.
If I hear anything more, I will pass it on.
Would you kindly do the same ?

 

[GallonsOfFun]

Sonata, yes of course!

Everyone else, please don't hesitate to post any and all suggestions! I want to research as many types as possible to make sure I make the correct decision

 

[GallonsOfFun]

Come on people! Throw anything you got at me!

 

[Rivers2k]

Goldfish are very underated. My kids goldfish tank is becoming one of my favorites.

Have you looked at severum? They are brightly colored big and impressive but not much aggression.

 

[Sonata]

I am leaning toward goldfish. I'm thinking 2 fancies & a bristlenose in my 50 gallon tank. Any comments ?

 

[Sonata]

Have you made any decisions ?

 

[GallonsOfFun]

Not yet, but probably something similar to what you were thinking.

I keep changing my mind but coming back to the idea of 3 fancy's (black moor, ryukin (calcio), fantail, and a bn pleco. I figured if I can put 4-5 goldfish in there I can put 3 and a pleco!

 

[Sonata]

Sounds good !

 

[skylane]

I have a 55 gallon tank but I'm not sure what to put in it. I like fish with intelligence and personality.

Ideally, I'd like an Oscar, but I know it would soon outgrow the tank. I've looked extensively at African Cichlids, but I don't feel equipped to deal with the aggression just yet. I've looked at fancy goldfish. I thought about doing an all livebearer tank, but I wasn't sure how to deal with all the breeding. I've looked at Amazon puffers but I can't find anywhere that sells them.

As you can see, I'm unsure but theres a pattern. I'm not looking for a community tank, I'm looking for a species specific (more or less) tank with fish that have personality.

Please add your own opinion on what fish you think I should look into! Also feel free to comment upon my previous ideas. Help much, much appreciated!!

Try Discus fish, lots of personality!

 

[ImACoolguy]

Try Discus fish, lots of personality!

Not if you are new to the hobby. They take a lot of dedication and you cannot put off water changes.




Caleb

 

[Sonata]

50 years of aquariums is not new to the hobby.
I am new only to the site.
I have kept discus in the past. I enjoyed it, but don't want to do it again.
Caleb is right. It takes more time than I want to give just now.

 

[Rivers2k]

Any thoughts on severum? I love my severum. I have two adults and a baby the size of a quarter and the baby is always at the front of the tank just watching me.

 

[Sonata]

I always thought they stayed quite small.
I have had one & it was a dull, boring brown.
If I went with a 50 gallon community tank could they be part of it or would the severums bring it to capacity ?

 

[ImACoolguy]

No you could do a community with one.

Or keyhole cichlids. They are pretty and get semi big but are big babies!


Caleb

 

[skylane]

Not if you are new to the hobby. They take a lot of dedication and you cannot put off water changes.




Caleb

Yes you are right, but I have two in my tank and they are my first Discus and they are doing fine. As my experience grows I'm planning to do a larger tank with Discus and Angels soon. They are currently growing together in the same tank that is planted. My tank is small so I do water changes every 3 days and its working out well for now but its time to go bigger tank, planted, and about 75gals. So with that said I'm learning as much as I can to build this tank because it is a slow process and I have to plan my set up now and go for it.