Tank Mates

[lindseya13]

After the recent leaking tank replacement, I now have a much larger tank. Think 5.5 times larger (I went from a 10 gallon to a 55). Since I had lost a few fish during ike, I'm very short on fish. And they look lonely in the tank. Currently I have

2x Rummy Nose Tetra
2x Cory Cat
1x Swordtail
1x Otto
1x Dwarf Gourami

I'm going to go get some more Rummy Noses after work (currently they are schooling with the cory LOL). I was wondering about some other tank mates. I was considering getting 5 or so cardinals to swim with the rummys, but would like some larger fish too.

Currently I was thinking:

Rams
More Dwarf Gouramis
Angels
Killis

I'm having trouble getting good infor on some of these. They are either the bestest fish ever or complete sadists.   Could I put more Gouramis in the tank without them killing eachother? And what other fish might go well with this mix.

Thanks!

[Fire_chair]

Re: Tank Mates

You could have a pretty big cory shoal in there. A large school of Emperor or Penguin tetras would look nice too.

[PhishPhreek]

Re: Tank Mates

Zebras 8
Emperor Tetras 4
ABN 2
Red & blue Tetras 6
gold dust mollies 4
swordtails 4
female bettas 4

[edmlfc]

Re: Tank Mates

I vote for angels & Rams!

[Zulaab]

Re: Tank Mates

I have seen a tankfull of dwarf gouramis and they didnt seem to have an issue with each other.  I would prolly keep 3-5 of them in a 55.

Here is what I would look at doing, if I was you.
(Post a picture of your tank.... a picture will help)

1.  Look at what you have planted in the tank.  Make sure that you have a good flora going.
2.  Add at least another 8-16 rummy nose.. you will LOVE how they school together.  If you add Cardinals, great, but again keep at least 10 of the same species together, you will appreciate so much more their schooling needs when they are together.  (mid level)
3.  Add another 3-5 cories (Cories for the most part like to school together...) (bottom)
4.  Add another 5-6 otto's... they do such a great job with a planted tank (all over)
5.  Add 3 more dwarf gourami... this will put some more color in your tank. (top)
6.  Rams -- get a nice pair...  (no angels) (bottom/mid)
7.  Killi's are cool, but you would be better of keeping them in a nice planted little setup in your old 10 gallon tank.  (Mid/top) (excellent jumpers... so make sure that you have a tight lid on the tank)
8.  Angels..  Lovely fish but since all the other fish are small, and Angels when they get mature are territorial and potentially disturbing to the other fish, might not be the best solution, but I think it would work in a community tank.  (no rams)  You just dont want to deal with the fish that need the territories when you are going to have a lot of mid level fish.

---  Now to the important part... what kind of filtration you have ?   If you dont have a good filtration system you are going to overload your tank quick.  With a good filtration system the above fish would look great in your tank.  Let us know and we can give you better advice.

Thanks
Jesper

[lindseya13]

Re: Tank Mates

I just got the tank as a package deal (see the topfin thread below this). It was rather hectic getting it, since the old tank was currently dribbling on the floor  8O. I therefore have a topfin (tetra wisper) 60 on the tank...which I am already hating and it hasn't been running 72 hours. Oh and the old marineland 20 is providing backup until the bigger one gets going. So yes, new filtration in my future. Any advice for that would be appriciated. I'm currently pretty tapped out for this paycheck, though I am going to spring for some rummys since there are only 2 and one isn't looking too rummy...

The tank isn't planted, and won't be for a month. I move on the 21st of November and will probably plant the tank after that. I'm trying to get it to move as smoothly as possible. Also I probably won't get (m)any new fist before then. I was just wondering what would go well in the tank since it looks pretty empty   Plus I like looking at fish pictures.

I can provide pictures, but suffice to say its a few artifical plants, and that it didn't look so empty when it was in a 10 gallon.

[JStrider]

Re: Tank Mates

a lot of us like the Aquaclear filters.  for that size I would go with the 110, or 70... 110 preferably if money allows.

[Zulaab]

Re: Tank Mates

If you keep a real planted tank (ie not artificial) I would look into getting a nice canister filter, like a eheim 2213/15/17 or something similar with a spray bar to allow large amount of water to be filtered but at the same time not make the plants go all over the place.  Like JStrider said above, if a canister is not possible then I would look at an aquaclear 110 and use it.

Get your filtration established first then get fish afterwards... easier on the system not having to play catch up.

[lindseya13]

Re: Tank Mates

Zebras 8
Emperor Tetras 4
ABN 2
Red & blue Tetras 6
gold dust mollies 4
swordtails 4
female bettas 4

Whats an ABN?

[cichlid1409]

Re: Tank Mates

albino bristle nose pleco.

[Nickintex]

Re: Tank Mates

Whats an ABN?

About $10+ each at the auctions.

[cichlid1409]

Re: Tank Mates

nick, whats with the godzilla pics.....no, seriously.

[Nickintex]

Re: Tank Mates

Why not? I like to be different!
I like to stick out in a crowd, even if I get confused with EK!

[cichlid1409]

Re: Tank Mates

just thought you might reallt be into godzilla or something just wondering. its cool, im not knockin' it. :emtthumbs:

[Nickintex]

Re: Tank Mates

just thought you might really be into godzilla or something just wondering. its cool, im not knockin' it. :emtthumbs:

I am actually. Have all the movies on DVD and a collection of figures. Went to G-Con in Chicago back in 1998 and even met some of the actors. I'm into Godzilla like others may be into Star Wars or Star Trek.