[Josh7]

I have my 55 gallon tank finally set up. I already cycled it and I have play sand as a substrate. I have 2 Marineland penguin 350s for filtration.

But no on to the stock list I already have one fish in it a senegal bichir. Also soon a brown knife fish I ordered will be coming in to.

But what else could I keep with these two? I was thinking some type of cichlid maybe kribenis or blue Acara? But does anyone have any suggestions of fish to keep with them thanks for all the input in advance.

 

[jaysee]

You could do an African community tank, but in my experience a 55 was too small - I upgraded.

 

[Josh7]

An African community tank would be cool could I do like the African cichlids with them like maybe electric yellow labs? Or what would you reccomend

 

[JDM]

Is a 55 large enough for a Bichir... don't they get over a foot long?

Cool fish though... "They are ambush predators and may stalk and prey on smaller fish."

Read more: Senegal Bichir (Polypterus senegalus) Profile

Actually, a 75 is recommended now that I read the profile.

Jeff.
​

 

[Josh7]

I saw that but I have heard anywhere from 30 gallon minimum to 125 minimum anyway IMO I think the 55 is gonna be fine since I have seen one senegal bichir over 12 inches long almost all of them max out at like 10 inches. They are a cool fish to this little guy is awesome. They sure do have some teeth though. But have any ideas of other fish that they could live with preferably a cichlid type fish.

 

[jaysee]

An African community would not have cichlids.

 

[Josh7]

Alright I was thinking about like the electric yellow cichlids and stuff like that. But what type of fish do you recommend do you for a African community. Also if any cichlids would work what type would you guys do maybe jewels or kribenis.

 

[jaysee]

African knife, spotted ctenopoma, African butterfly, feather fin catfish, congo tetras and a bichir (palmas, delhezi, Senegal). You could try kribs or jewels, but theres no guarantee that they will last long term. But like I said, a 55 was too small.

 

[Josh7]

Alright well thanks for the input there I might consider a African butterfly fish. Or something you listed.

 

[Josh7]

Just a thought here but could I put in any of these fish?

Silver dollar
Kribenis
Angelfish
Blue Acara
Fire Eel
Kissing Gourami
Electric yellow cichlid
Blue cobalt


Could any of these fish here work?

 

[Byron]

A 4-foot tank (which a 55g is) will be the minimum size for a Bichir. As for tankmates, only peaceful fish that are comparable to the Bichir in size, but this is going to be difficult in the confines of a 55g. Fish even close to being smaller may be attacked in an attempt to be eaten, even if too large to fit the Bichir's mouth, and suffer external damage.

So to the fish in your last post, most of these are not possible because they are too small. The Kissing Gourami when mature might manage, though it wouldn't be my choice. The Fire Eel might, I have no experience of this species. The last two cichlids are rift lake species requiring much different water parameters, even if size was not a factor.

Byron.

 

[Josh7]

Alright hmm this could be tricky I have no idea what else to get with the knife and bichir. Anyone else have any suggestions? I'm open to any ideas.

 

[Josh7]

What about spotted African leaf fish or upside down catfish?