Hey all, I looking to start a new 55g tank. It's been about 10 years since I've kept an aquarium so I'm looking for some stocking advice. My past experience was with an aggressive community cichlid tank, but my dovii ended up killing everything and I don't want to end up with that scenario again. Although he was one of the most unique pets I've ever had, I don't want a single fish in an aquarium again.
I'd really like to see a school of active fish in action and I'm drawn to Tiger Barbs so I definately want to include those. Here is what I'm kicking around.
8-14 Tiger Barbs
1 Jack Dempsey
2-4 Firemouths
1-3 Red Devils
1-3 Convicts
1-3 Green Terrors or Blue Acara
1 Rainbow Shark
I'm looking to make the tank full enough with fish so they don't have the opportunity to get overtly territorial. Obviously I don't want to overcrowd which is why I have flex numbers in mind and would be looking for some advice on what is ideal. It seems to me these cichlids should be be able to stand up to each others aggression, though I'm not sure if that is correct. I've had red devils and green terrors before, but singlely and they succombed to the dovii so I don't know how they would react in what I hope to be a balanced community.
Is this a good basis to start, or should I culll a few of the aggressive species with something else (keeping in mind I want the Tiger Barbs and some cichlids, I like their personality). Also, who should I add first?
I'd really like to see a school of active fish in action and I'm drawn to Tiger Barbs so I definately want to include those. Here is what I'm kicking around.
8-14 Tiger Barbs
1 Jack Dempsey
2-4 Firemouths
1-3 Red Devils
1-3 Convicts
1-3 Green Terrors or Blue Acara
1 Rainbow Shark
I'm looking to make the tank full enough with fish so they don't have the opportunity to get overtly territorial. Obviously I don't want to overcrowd which is why I have flex numbers in mind and would be looking for some advice on what is ideal. It seems to me these cichlids should be be able to stand up to each others aggression, though I'm not sure if that is correct. I've had red devils and green terrors before, but singlely and they succombed to the dovii so I don't know how they would react in what I hope to be a balanced community.
Is this a good basis to start, or should I culll a few of the aggressive species with something else (keeping in mind I want the Tiger Barbs and some cichlids, I like their personality). Also, who should I add first?