Larger fish for 55gallon aquarium

[maxfrenkel19]

Hey all,

So I've got a 55 gallon aquarium set up and a bunch of really nice fish. However, none of the current tank residents make it past about 3". I'd really like to get at least one fish that I don't have to squint at to see!

So I'd love to hear some ideas as to some interesting, larger fish that I could use (I am getting an angel next week so I'll have one larger fish!) I know plecos/catfish can get bigger and maybe some more peaceful cichlids?

Let me know your favorites! Thanks, I really appreciate any advice.

 

[Rivercats]

You said you have a 55g tank but what fish are in it? Can't suggest anything without knowing what you have and how many.

 

[maxfrenkel19]

Sorry I should have mentioned my fish. The reason I didn't is that I'm be willing to get rid of a number of fish for the sake of a bigger "prize specimen" (I inherited this tank with 12ish fish in it, so I have no real connection with them)

Anyway, the tank is currently stocked with:

2 bolivian rams (these i bought and would be sadder to lose)
6 neon tetras
1 oto cat (soon to be three)
3 cory cats
3 platties
(there are also about 6 other various tetras, but I'll be donating them to the LFS shortly)

I also plan on getting one angelfish, as I mentioned.

Hope this helps, thanks for your feedback.

 

[Rivercats]

With a 55g you can have 1 or 2 angels, keep the rams, keep the oto's and cory's. You should re-home the neons as the angels will most likely eat them. You could then go with a Pearl gourami (if you want something larger), or a dwarf gourami for something with alot of color (males), A school of Dwarf Neon Rainbow fish ( would give you some flash and movement in the tank and would be fine with the angels, rams, oto's, and cory's. Here's a link so you can see the dwarf neon rainbows...
Dwarf Neon Rainbow - Medium Tropical Freshwater Fish for Sale

Oh, I'd get rid of the platy's unless you really like them.

 

[maxfrenkel19]

Thanks for the reply Rivercats.

I will have to get rid of the neons then, but I definitely would like to have a school of SOMETHING in the tank, as I love watching them swim together. How big would the fish need to be to keep it safe from the angel? I do like your idea for a school of rainbows, I'll definitely look into it. I remember the boesemani are beautiful, but I don't know if I have room for a school.

I forgot about the dwarf gouramis! Definitely getting one I think the males are incredible.

I am getting rid of the platties. They get to stay for now because the girlfriend likes them, but I'll remove them once I need more room.

Thanks for the advice!

 

[vanimal]

I think 3 Silver Dollars would look nice in your tank but if you have any live plants they will get eaten.

 

[Rivercats]

These are my favorite rainbows, almost got a school for my angel tank....
Orange Albino Millenium Rainbow - Medium Tropical Freshwater Fish for Sale (younger fish)

Orange Albino Millenium Rainbow - Large Tropical Freshwater Fish for Sale (older fish)

 

[bettaowner]

I would go with rainbow fish. Large and colorful.

 

[maxfrenkel19]

Sounds like rainbows are the way to go I'll look into it.

Thanks for the advice guys!

 

[vanimal]

I like Bosemani Rainbows.

 

[maxfrenkel19]

The boesemani are incredible! Only problem is that fishprofiles.com says they get to about 6". I think rainbows need to school (am i wrong?), so with a 6 fish school thats 36" of fish! It would take up most of my tank and there are so many more fish I want. If I could get just one or two that'd be a whole different story

 

[Samzter]

The boesemani are incredible! Only problem is that fishprofiles.com says they get to about 6". I think rainbows need to school (am i wrong?), so with a 6 fish school thats 36" of fish! It would take up most of my tank and there are so many more fish I want. If I could get just one or two that'd be a whole different story

You are correct , they would need a school. Why don't you boost up the Cories then look into a Denison barb or two. These are the only exception of barbs where you can have just one or two. Even though they look incredible in a school.

 

[Rivercats]

If you want rainbows you'd have to stick with the Dwarf Neon's. You can also get a school or two of tetras. There are larger ones like Diamonds and Lemons that aren't nippers (which you need to watch with angels) and then a school of cardinals (larger than neons) or rummy nose. The diamonds and lemons have a different body shape than the cardinals and rummy's which gives you a more varied look in your tank. Or you could also do some hatchet fish or threadfin rainbows for surface swimmers. You still have alot of choices.