What is the largest fish I could have, to live by itself in a 50g tank?

[sealife]

If I was to have 1 large American cichlid fish, by itself in a 50g - 122cm long tank, how big could the fish be to still be happy in this size tank, and for my water to still be healthy?
Im guessing a fish that grows up to 20cm?

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[Mebbid]

One single oscar would fully stock a tank that size.

 

[jetajockey]

I know you said cichlids, but I'd go with a Longear sunfish, or maybe a golden redbreast sunfish.

 

[sealife]

From my knowledge, sunfish are not available in my Australia.

Would an oscar really be okay? Because i love them but I thought they grow around 40cm?

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[Mebbid]

Yep, a 55g is accepted as the minimum tank size for one. A 4 ft by 1ft footprint.

 

[sealife]

Sweet. Do any type of oscars grow smaller than others? Or are they all the same, just different colour?

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[Mebbid]

They are all pretty much the same. Just different color morphs.

 

[sealife]

What filter woukd be recommended for the oscar and my tank?

Thanks

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[Mebbid]

An oversized one they are poo machines. Aquaclears are great.

 

[sealife]

I was thinking of canister eheim 2215. Can anyone say if it is ok for my tank?

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[sealife]

Bump
Is eheim 2215 ok for this tank and fish

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[Matt68005]

I have seen chiclids filling up a 50 gallon tank befoe, why go with only one? Why not get a half dozen, they have a tank full of those fish at the hospital where i go the tank is about 75 gallons and theres at least 25 of them in there.
Im sure someone will tell me/you thats overstocking, but really unless your a fish's rights activist, as long as you have good filtration you could put at least a half dozen in a 50 gallon tank.

 

[Mebbid]

I have seen chiclids filling up a 50 gallon tank befoe, why go with only one? Why not get a half dozen, they have a tank full of those fish at the hospital where i go the tank is about 75 gallons and theres at least 25 of them in there.
Im sure someone will tell me/you thats overstocking, but really unless your a fish's rights activist, as long as you have good filtration you could put at least a half dozen in a 50 gallon tank.

Because it gets to the point where its impossible to keep the water parameters within normal limits.

Bump
Is eheim 2215 ok for this tank and fish

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Personally, I prefer more flow for my tanks. But yes, it would work fine.

 

[JRT83]

Personally, I prefer more flow for my tanks. But yes, it would work fine.

+1, I prefer multiple filters on all my tanks. For a 55g tank with 1 Oscar, 2 aquaclear 70s would be perfect. And if you're going to add multiple fish, I would just get a group of small Oscars and as soon as you get 1 that you like, sell the rest. You'll see once an Oscar gets in the 6-8" range, the 55g will start looking pretty small.

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[sealife]

Thanks guys.
With filtration, I'm grabbing an Eheim 2217. Bigger and better.

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