New 55 need help with stocking!

cheerfulmelody

So we have done it again and upgraded this time to a 55 gal. I want to continue the true tropical community trend and my husband is enamored with the flashy cichlids.


Current 20 gal (overstocked) Tank:
About 10 mixed Platy
2 bloodfin tetras (others died off)
1 Kuhli Loach (i think. we don't see him often)
2 Kribensis cichlids

I am aware that my current tank has some stocking issues that's part of the reason why I wanted to upgrade. I am no longer getting fish from chain pet stores because they quickly die off and have made some of my established fish ill in the past hence why I do not have any "cleaner" fish. I did not want to add more until I upgraded. The new tank is now set up and has been lightly planted.

I would like to have about 5 angels, get 4 more loaches for my lonely friend, maybe 4 more bloodfins, a grouping of 6 cory cats, and maybe a trio or quad of dwarf cockatoo cichlids. Would this work? We do not want to have multiple tanks set up so having a cichlid tank and a tropical tank are not what we would want. Will the two different male cichlids set up in opposite corners and be relatively peaceful? Will either types of cichlids nibble on the angels fins?

Thanks!

Lupin

Good plan! If you can add plenty of rocks and plants, the kribs and cockatoos will coexist just fine. Both cichlids are absolutely compatible with angelfish.

Out of interest, which angels do you like to keep? I like blacks honestly but they tend to be a bit fragile. I like the challenge though.

aunt kymmie

Agree with Lupin. I picked up a quad of cockatoos awhile ago, they were itty bitty juvies. Turns out I had three males and only one female. I just picked up two more females, since the lone female couldn't handle all the "attention". They are great little fish, I have them in the tank with another species of dwarf cichlids, along with loaches, and they all do great together. You're going to have fun with your tank!!

cheerfulmelody

Thanks for the replies! Looks like once the tank is cycled I have a game plan.