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55 Gallon Stocking

2K views 6 replies 5 participants last post by  Tigris 
#1 ·
Re-stocking a 55 gallon tank, inherited an 8-10" pleco, looking for ideas for a colorful and active tank.

Would like to start with the following:

6 Rainbowfish
1 Red-tailed Shark

Neither are a "must have", what other suggestions do you all have? Definitely want to cover upper, middle, and lower areas of the tank. Budget for fish (to begin with) is $50.

Thanks
 
#2 ·
for upper level you could get a few blue and gold gouramis although you can only have one male per tank and they might be slightly too aggressive for your pleco. For middle swimming fish you could get a school of cherry barbs (they only need a 10 gallon tank so they should have ample room to play in your tank.) The Rainbowfish would be good for a tank of this size and should be compatible with your pleco. however i would steer clear of the red shark. they tend to be territorial with any species of fish, especially their own kind. this is just my personal opinion though.
 
#4 ·
If you were to get tiger barbs I wouldn't recommend the gourami. now Tiger Barbs should be kept in groups of 5 or more or they can get pretty aggressive. Now Tiger Barbs are known to be fin nippers and should not be kept with long finned fish or slow moving fish (like Gouramis and bettas) I would strongly recommend not getting the tiger barbs if you are going to have the pleco. i have read stories about them attacking plecos. Cherry barbs are a more peaceful version. either way you should get some driftwood (plecos like to chew on it. although i'm not entirely sure if it provides any nutritional value to them) and plenty of hiding spaces for the pleco and the other fish. (the tiger barbs would need plenty of hiding spaces but i'm not entirely sure about the cherry barb)
 
#5 ·
Driftwood for plecos is to give them some fiber in their diet. If you can find a nice piece that has a cave or can be propped up against the glass to give the pleco a place to hide, he will greatly appreciate that.

I second the suggestion of cherry barb over tiger barb and to remove the rainbow shark. Rainbow sharks like to be the only fish on the bottom and will probably harass the pleco. If you do cherry barbs, go with a group of 10 or more. This will help prevent any nipping, and they will look much better maintained that way. Shoaling fish like barbs and tetra always do.

I would not get a gourami if you want the rainbow fish (I'm assuming you're talking about the Boeseman Rainbowfish <-- click the shaded name for a picture). These are active fish and gourami don't do well with active fish. If you want the rainbows, aim for one or two schools of active fish like barbs or danio and then a school of substrate fish like corydoras or loaches.

And any of the fish you get will appreciate a planted tank or lots of driftwood and rocks to hide around. It doesn't matter what you choose but fish need cover to feel safe.
 
#7 ·
Koimaiden, he said red-tail shark not rainbow shark.

Now my $.02, I have a tank with 8 tiger and 4 albino barbs that are housed with two gouramis, yellow and opaline, rainbow shark, and some kind of spiney eel. I think these two can get along in a tank provided the gouramis are large enough to defend themselves. I've also had my rainbow shark befriend the eel and a tiger barb. Granted this all depends on the fishes' personalities
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