Stocking the 55 Gallon

jpmarini3

Hi All,
About to start cycling a 55 G. A pictus, small Flying Fox, and male krib will be in from my other tank. Not going for a certain theme in my tank, but I was going to try to pair up the krib, and was wondering what other tank mates would be suitable? I am interested in other cichlids, but not sure if they would be compatible. I haven't seen any other dwarf cichlids locally, like keyholes or rainbows.
Should I just populate with other schooling community fish that the kribs can chase so they dont fight each other.
Fish such as Yellow labs, boesmani rainbows (although they'd be expensive for a school of 4 or 5) and gold barbs are interesting, not sure if any of these would fit. Other suggestions are welcome.

Cheers
JP

spike0544

Pictus cats prefer to be in groups, I would add at least 2 more, but 4 more would be better.

BarbH

Hello JP and welcome to TFK

Do you know what the general hardness and carbon hardness of your water is, and also the ph? You can find out the hardness for your water from your local water people, most places have this information available online now. If you are unable to find the info online than I would call them to find out this information. This will help in knowing what fish will be best suited for your water conditions. Also you can find out more information about different fish from the tropical fish profiles section, the link can be found at the top of the page second tab from the left. This will give you information about the type of water that they need, if they need to be kept in groups, their compatibility with other fish, and other helpful information.

Byron

With the non-rift lake dwarf cichlids, one species per tank is best. There are many suitable "dither' fish from among the characins, rasbora, danio, even some barbs. Water params as has been mentioned will help sort these out.

With respect to the fish you mention in post #1, yellow labs are rift lake cichlids and not compatible due to water parameters being totally different, plus temperament. Rainbows might work, a group of 4-5 minimum, if basic water; 2 of the 3 species in the profiles under Athernids [not the threadfins]. Golden Barb are possible, a group of 8 minimum. Click on the shaded name to see that specific profile for more info.

Byron.

jpmarini3

Thanks Byron, I will probably go with a large school of boesmani or tiger barbs, depending on the pH of my water after the cycling. Maybe some tetras as long as theyre big enough not to fit in the pictus' mouth.

jpmarini3

I was looking to add at least 7 tiger barbs...I switched my remaining fish in the 35 (pictus, Flying Fox, male krib) to the 55, and added a female krib the same day. That was a few days ago...I dont want to add too many fish too quickly, when would it be safe to add the barbs? Can i add them all at once?
I've been monitoring ammonia etc closely.

Byron

Which tank for the Tiger Barb? These are not good community fish, as it notes in our profile (click the shaded name). On their own in a group of 8+ in a 30g tank, fine. But mixed with any other fish, and there is a real risk of fin nipping or worse.