Stocking new 55 gallon!

Hyperlite

Hey forum!

I just bought and am currently cycling a new 55 gallon tank for my condo. If you don't mind, I want your input on what fish you think would go well in a tank that size. (I am planning on getting a senegal bichir, so if it helps, plan around him :)) Thanks for the help!

miagrrl

you might have a little trouble putting a senegal bichir in a 55 gallon, they get to be over a foot in length sometimes, and you wanna have some room for him to swim around- if i am not mistaken, they can reach up to 20 inches in length. its recommended that you have at least 90 gallons- but if you are dead set, just be caerful of who you put in there, cause they are carnivores and might eat little fishies.

fish_4_all

I would have to agree. Anything you put in there will likely become a snakc if the Bichir can fit it in their mouth. I have also ehard they like to find their way out of the tank so make sure to keep a tight lid on it.

I don't see an exact reason why they "can't" live in a 55 but fish mates will be very limited and they may be happier with a lot of caves. You might actually be able to raise and keep guppies if they breed fast enough and the bichir is fed fairly well because the bichir will keep them in check so the population doesn't get too high.

Lupin

Bichirs are indeed great escape artists along with fire eels.
I agree with this suggestion.8)

Gump

I agree with the first part and the second part not so much. I have owned many species of bichirs and you should do just fine with a p. senegalus in your tank. They max out at around 12" if your lucky. They also have a small head/mouth for a bichir so fish that get around the 3-4" mark should be fine with a senegalus. Also if you plan on keeping your bichir with other fish dont feed it live. If you feed it prepared foods it will get used to them and wait for you to feed it and leave tank mates alone. Its when you go starving the fish then it will kick on its i have to eat something mode and then there could be trouble. Senegalus are great and eat just about anything. I feed my bichirs pellets, krill, chopped prawns, and squid mostly and use black/blood/red/earth worms as treats depending on size.

As for what to put with it why dont you tell us some fish that your in to and we can work from there.

Hyperlite

Ok! Well, I'm into a lot of fish haha. I'm fond of Gouramis, they seem to have a lot of different varieties. I am reluctant to go Cichlid 'cause I read they are a pretty aggressive fish. If I was to choose a smaller schooling fish I would say I like all sorts of tetras :) but I believe the Bichir would make dinner out of them. I think the guppy idea may be a good one. I already have a 10 gallon with females, maybe i should just add a male and put them in my new tank? Anyway, keep the suggestions coming! Thanks everyone.

Edit: I also like parrot fish

Lupin

Blue gouramis or pearl gouramis are nice choices. Avoid fin nippers.
Not all are. Cichlids have varying personalities so it comes down to luck how your cichlid behaves.
Your bichir will eat it.

leifthebunny

True, I keep German Blue Rams in my community tank with tetras. I actually have more problems from my flame tetras in that tank than the GBRs.

As for other suggestions, if you decided to do a community tank, cherry barbs are great in a school.

Hyperlite

So are you two saying it's a high risk or a low risk getting aggressive cichlids for my tank? I think they are beautiful fish and the chance that they may not be really aggressive is one I may like to take :)

Lupin

Angelfish are good options. Bichirs should not bother them.