Loner fish for a 55 gal

[becrac16]

So this thread is going to start off a bit morbid, but here we go.

As some of you may remember from long ago that I started a 55 gal planted tank a while back that was supposed to be a community tank. After fin rot and thanksgiving break I lost a lot of fish, leaving me with (1) tiny bristlenose pleco (3) sterbai corys and (6) rummy nose tetras. I am currently on christmas break right now, and left my tank to the mercy of an automatic feeder. I have no idea how they are doing but sadly I wouldn't be surprised if there was great losses. (I really hope the bristlenose pleco makes it through the holidays, I really enjoy him. )

SO through my short amount of time with a mini-community tank I have realized that it's not for me. Since having koi (the dogs of the sea, I swear) I think I really enjoy having 'loner' fish instead of schools. I am thinking of getting an angel fish, but from there I have no idea. I really like the look of peacock eels(?). But being a college student I want to keep the cost of my tank low. I have no lighting, but plants are thriving, I also have black gravel.

Any good singular fish that you guys enjoy that could live together in my tank? Any and all opinions are welcome.

 

[Shetland James]

Siamese Fighter? I keep my Bolivian Red Ram on his own and he's fine, although he probably should have a mate.

EDIT: he's kept with guppies and various tetras

 

[HN1]

IME larger SA cichlids have a ton of personality. You do need to take their adult size and temperament into accout though and small fish may disappear.

 

[becrac16]

I've always been intimidated by cichlids! I know there are some non-aggressive ones but I've always thought of them to be too difficult to keep, but I have no personal experience. I'm not sure any of the tetras will make it, so that's not really a problem. But would they bother my tiny bristlenose or (if they survive) the corys? And could they be kept with angels?

 

[HN1]

Alot depends on the size of the fish, if a fish will fit in it's mouth, expect it.

Not in a 55 IMO, Angels get pretty aggressive as they mature. They are also cichlids by the way.

 

[becrac16]

hmm that probably wouldn't work, I can't keep anything larger than a 55 and I'm almost decided that I want 1 angelfish. I heard angelfish are only really aggressive to their own kind

 

[becrac16]

Wow, I checked on the tank today and no one has died! So I guess I have to look to other fish that can get along with a school as well as bottomfeeders.

 

[becrac16]

I also really like bolivian rams, just putting that out there.

 

[becrac16]

I have been looking into getting an albino rainbow shark. Doing some research I have read that sometimes they don't do well with smaller fish. Is it a risk to my rummynoses to get one?

 

[HN1]

Yes, eventually.

 

[becrac16]

I wonder how fast they grow, though. My rummynoses are full-grown and everywhere I read says they only last about 5 years while the rainbow shark lasts a lot longer. Maybe the rummynoses will pass on before the rainbow shark gets too big? Wishful thinking, perhaps.

 

[redfisher1139]

Rummynoses are absolutely beautiful fish, and IMO, if you are considering a singular larger fish for your 55, then you might also consider a 10g setup for just your rummies. I know Petsmart in my area right now has an Aqueon 10g setup with filter and incandesent hood for only 20 bucks.

 

[becrac16]

Ok, so I've decided on a few more fish. Not really loners, I guess, but interesting none the less! BTW, I'm back from break and not only did NONE of the fish die, they're all doing great!

So here's what I'm thinking; 1 angelfish, a school of glass catfish, and some bolivian rams. How many of the rams should I get? I'm not really interested in breeding, actually not at all, but I would like to have more than one. Not a lot, but more than one.

Also, it is looking like these all the fish I have (besides the angelfish) like to hang out near the bottom instead of the upper levels. Is that going to be an issue?

 

[becrac16]

Oh and also adding possibly a striped raphael catfish and maybe some upside-down catfish. I heard the raphael catfish likes sand and soft gravel, but is it kind of the same thing with corys, that as long as the gravel isn't sharp they'll be ok?

 

[becrac16]

Yesterday I went and picked up an angel and a raphael. The angel wasn't doing well today so I decided to do a water change and it didn't make it. They lfs guy said that babies are not hardy at all...

But the catfish is doing well!