Experienced FishKeeper: New 50 Gallon

[SKjEi o2]

I am getting a new 50 gallon aquarium. I am open to all ideas. So far some of my ideas have been Silver Dollars, Glass Catfish, Rams, etc.

I am finding large flaws in all of these ideas though. My budget is somewhat large because I want this tank to look nice as it will be in my living room.

I am looking for a fish that interacts with the rock work and plants. So far the only fish I've owned that does this is a Kribensis but I already have them in 2 other tanks and am looking for something different/ more colorful. I hate fish that just float around in the midge kind, that's why I ruled out Silver Dollars and Glass Catfish.

I just want some color and most of all personality. PM me with any questions.

 

[mistersprinkles]

What about Mbuna? They intereact with rocks. They interact with plants too. Usually by trying to nibble on them.

 

[SKjEi o2]

I already have a tank of mbuna so I'm looking fir something a little different. Plus I want a planted tank.
Can anyone ID this fish? I would love these:

 

[Lil Blue]

Denison Barb was looking at a couple of these for my new upcoming tank

 

[SKjEi o2]

Denison Barb was looking at a couple of these for my new upcoming tank

I love how they look. Do you have any experience with them?

 

[mistersprinkles]

I love how they look. Do you have any experience with them?

Also known as Roseline shark.

They're pretty much just a giant barb. Peaceful aquarium, quality food, plants. Easy fish to keep.

 

[threnjen]

Schooling fish though, it would be pretty tight in a 50 as they are a medium fish and need a group

 

[SKjEi o2]

If I were to get 6 or so Denisons, what other type of fish could I put in the same tank? I have heard Denisons like cooler temperatures.

 

[josh7]

6 denisons will be fine. Here's some other fish to look into to keep with them:
Red Tailed Shark
Opaline, blue or gold gourami
Bristlenose Pleco
Bolivian Ram
Cory Cats
Spotted Pictus Cats
Rainbow Shark
Rainbow Fish
Giant Danio

 

[mikem691]

Before any one should give stock advice. A 50 gallon comes in a cube and a hex besides standard 48". what is the foot print of the tank?

 

[SKjEi o2]

Dimensions: 48 1/4"L x 12 3/4"W x 20"H

It would be heavily planted.

 

[josh7]

Oh ok that's a standard 55 gallon then are there any fish in particular you like the looks of besides the Denison barbs?

 

[SKjEi o2]

I'm looking for a centerpiece fish.

Maybe a GBR or a Samurai Gourami.
I have owned both before and I want to try something different.

Do you have any suggestions?

 

[SKjEi o2]

Oh I forgot to add that I also want bamboo shrimp.

I have heard they like warm temps, would they be alright with the barbs?

How would the bioload look?

Does anyone have past experience with them?

 

[josh7]

Look into blue gouramis they would look good. I think that Denison barbs would pick on bamboo shrimp. Are you doing a sand or gravel bottom?

 

[SKjEi o2]

Well I'm doing a dirt tank so I'll probably use gravel.

 

[josh7]

Ok if you do smooth gravel for the bottom I would do a huge school of cory cats. Look into a stock of

1- Blue Gourami
5- Denison Barbs
12- Panda Cory's
10- Rummy Nose Tetra
1- BN Pleco

 

[SKjEi o2]

Are Cory cats nocturnal? I made the mistake of buying Upside Down Catfish a while back and never saw them.

Btw, I appreciate the help.

 

[josh7]

No they are nothing like syndontis species I have one currently and I don't see him to much but he's awesome!

The Cory's are very active and will always be out foraging for food.

 

[SKjEi o2]

Are plecos more active in larger tanks? If not, is there an alternative to them?