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March 25th, 2008
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| | Fish Addict
| 55 gallon stocking question
i messed up before on the fish size to tank size thing so im asking first this time. i am thinking about getting a 55 gallon tank and i wanted to make it a planted community tank i wanted my 4 zebra danios, my 6 neons, my cory, and my wiptail catfish to go in it with all of these what else could i add to the tank that are compatable with these and will make a nice community fish? | 
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March 25th, 2008
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| | Fish Addict
| well it seems that u have about 34 inches of adult fish that u can fit into that 55 gal.. thats a lot to work with! u could try giant danios, definately more cories for ur lonely little booger, im sure the neons would love more friends or even another type of "neon".. my neons seemed to school with glowlites very happily. and im sure u could get black neons.. ooooo.. i like those guys!! that would be an awesome mix of colors!! blue, red, gold/orange, black.. ooo
oooorrrrrr.. if u can find them kerri tetras.. those are beautiful!! aka emperor tetras (sometimes).. google em they are like bright blue neons
to put it simply.. u have a lot to play around with! danios, tetras, moons/platies n other livebearers, could even put a female betta in there or try two, other labyrinth fishies (be very careful of what u mix here tho), wow i cant even think right now lol.. well whatever u end up choosing best of luck to ya and be sure it doesnt grow big enough to eat ur little guys
loaches! cant forget them! kuhlis are the greatest! dojos r nice too... there are sooo many to choose from.. i think the site is loaches.com i could be wrong tho
plenty of ppl will answer this thread im sure lol
Last edited by KittieKat; March 25th, 2008 at 09:06 PM.
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March 25th, 2008
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| | Fish Keeper
| I have just been getting pretty fish that stay small... I currently have about 38 inches or so of adult fish in my tank.. I have room for more but they all look so happy swimming about with all of their free space and what not...
I can say that German Blue Rams are extremely pretty fish. I just purchased my first 2 last weekend.. They are very nice to look at fish.. I am thinking of getting a couple more to be honest... Also Danios are a hoot to watch.. Especially in the morning. They are fast little buggers and love to play!
Thats all I really have for ya... Hope it helps some. | |
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March 25th, 2008
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| | Fish Addict
| First thing is to add at least two more zebra danios as well as two more cories (the more the merrier, a group of 6 is ideal. After that you're good with about 16-20". I think I would suggest looking into a school of cherry barbs, harlequin rasboras, dwarf neon rainbowfish or perhaps hatchetfish (I can't say I know much about them but they are nice looking top dwelling schoolers). Maybe even a single/trio of dwarf gouramis if you're looking for something a little larger (the schoolers are all about 2-2.5"). | |
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March 26th, 2008
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| | Fish Addict
| i dont like the giant danios they dont look as active and they have less color i like the blue rams though ill probably get 2 of those what else could i introduce to my tank that will be nice that doesnt need to be in a school i like the schools but if i keep getting schools i wont have a great variety of fish | |
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March 27th, 2008
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| | Fish Master
| Quote:
Originally Posted by frogster221  i dont like the giant danios they dont look as active and they have less color i like the blue rams though ill probably get 2 of those what else could i introduce to my tank that will be nice that doesnt need to be in a school i like the schools but if i keep getting schools i wont have a great variety of fish | Hi!
Blue rams are extremely sensative - why not try Bolivian rams? they're much hardier, and just as colourful.
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March 27th, 2008
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| | Fish Keeper
| Blue Rams are extremely sensitive?
I guess if you don't do tank maintenance and place them in a non cycled environment they would die.. I find the Rams to be very hardy fish.. BUT... I do keep my tanks in "Discus" condition at all times so maybe thats it...
In any event I wouldn't go so far as to say "Extremely" but I would say they like a clean stable environment if you plan to keep them. | |
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March 27th, 2008
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| | Fish Addict
| ok i probably wont get them until i have the tank cycled for a few months if i do get them. how big do the bolivian rams get i dont want them to eat my fish | |
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March 27th, 2008
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| | Moderator
| Quote:
Originally Posted by Gargoyle Blue Rams are extremely sensitive?
I guess if you don't do tank maintenance and place them in a non cycled environment they would die.. I find the Rams to be very hardy fish.. BUT... I do keep my tanks in "Discus" condition at all times so maybe thats it...
In any event I wouldn't go so far as to say "Extremely" but I would say they like a clean stable environment if you plan to keep them. | From what I have found, is that a lot of LFS do not want to carry GBRs. They have a very hard time in transport and a lot of them die at the LFS before they even get a chance to be sold. They are a sensitive fish. I have lost a number of them and I have had quite a few of them in my Discus tank. My last guy lasted about 8 months and I really miss him. Once you get a GBR and you keep that water nice and clean and as Gargoyle said.. IN "discus' condition then they can do well. They just have to get past the sensitive stage. Acclimation is very critical for GBRs. | |
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March 28th, 2008
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| | Fish Master
| Quote:
Originally Posted by Gargoyle Blue Rams are extremely sensitive?
I guess if you don't do tank maintenance and place them in a non cycled environment they would die.. I find the Rams to be very hardy fish.. BUT... I do keep my tanks in "Discus" condition at all times so maybe thats it...
In any event I wouldn't go so far as to say "Extremely" but I would say they like a clean stable environment if you plan to keep them. | Hi!
Well, GBR's are sensitive - but, with fish, that really means moderatly easy if you keep your tanks in good condition. Bolivian rams get 3-4", I personally say they have better colours than GBR's. Really, it's up to you, but Bolivians are highly recommended. Remember, with GBR's it woudl be a good idea to stay about 5 to 10 inches understocked.
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March 28th, 2008
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| | Fish Addict
| are bolivian rams the same size as normal blue ram cichlids? and where can i get a bolivian ram they dont sell them at my lfs | |
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March 29th, 2008
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| | Fish Master
| Quote:
Originally Posted by frogster221 are bolivian rams the same size as normal blue ram cichlids? and where can i get a bolivian ram they dont sell them at my lfs | | |
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March 29th, 2008
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| | Moderator
| g'morning Frogster
While the Bolivian Rams are a little bit more hardy, the beautiful GBRs cannot be ignored. IMO if you are going to try rams anyway, the GBR is much more brilliant in color than the Bolivian. The GBR has colors of blue, yellow and red and the turquois coloring is gorgeous and bright on them.Whereas the Bolivian is mostly colors of brown, tan and black with a bit of color on the dorsal and anal fins. It all comes down to personal choices and I would say research some photos and info on both of them if you are interested in adding rams to your tank. I love the BBRs and would recommend them to anyone, as they bring a lot of color to a tank, not to mention their personality. I cannot wait to add more to my tank since loosing my GBR. | |
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March 29th, 2008
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| | Fish Master
| Quote:
Originally Posted by capekate g'morning Frogster
While the Bolivian Rams are a little bit more hardy, the beautiful GBRs cannot be ignored. IMO if you are going to try rams anyway, the GBR is much more brilliant in color than the Bolivian. The GBR has colors of blue, yellow and red and the turquois coloring is gorgeous and bright on them.Whereas the Bolivian is mostly colors of brown, tan and black with a bit of color on the dorsal and anal fins. | | |
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March 29th, 2008
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| | Moderator
| Quote:
Originally Posted by HatchetHaven |
Hi hatchet...
isn't this what I was saying in my response? While your photos you have linked to, are some beautiful colored Bolivians, you have to understand that these photos are of mature male Bolivians showing exceptional mating colors.
I would suggest Frogster to take a look at the ram photo section of the forum and decide for himself. There you will see many bolivians that do not have the colors of the photos you have linked to. There you will see many bolivians showing the brown, tan and some colors on their dorsal and anal fins. I agree, the Bolivians have a more subtle color than the brightly colored GBRs, and that the bolivian is a hardier fish, and the GBR has a more striking color. I have kept GBRs in my tanks and I can say from experience, that the brilliant color of the GBR is attained even without having a female around. I have photos of my GBRs there as well.
What is it that you disagreed with?
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March 29th, 2008
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| | Fish Keeper
| Most Bolivians I have had the chance to look at have been duller in color. I think you only see those gorgeous colors when they are showing off for the females. | |
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March 29th, 2008
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| | Fish Master
| Quote:
Originally Posted by capekate
Hi hatchet...
isn't this what I was saying in my response? While your photos you have linked to, are some beautiful colored Bolivians, you have to understand that these photos are of mature male Bolivians showing exceptional mating colors.
I would suggest Frogster to take a look at the ram photo section of the forum and decide for himself. There you will see many bolivians that do not have the colors of the photos you have linked to. There you will see many bolivians showing the brown, tan and some colors on their dorsal and anal fins. I agree, the Bolivians have a more subtle color than the brightly colored GBRs, and that the bolivian is a hardier fish, and the GBR has a more striking color. I have kept GBRs in my tanks and I can say from experience, that the brilliant color of the GBR is attained even without having a female around. I have photos of my GBRs there as well.
What is it that you disagreed with?
| [/quote] Hi!
I was kind of trying to say if you have a male and a Female Bolivian you get really showy colours... Indeed most of the Bolivians who have been viewed by me have been that colour. Both are really cool. Oh, and about the GBR's you've had - how hardy are they really? I've never actually had experience with sensitive fish, and the only thing stopping me getting GBR's is I don't have a clue how sensitive 'Sensitive' really is? (1 year of fishkeeping and I still feel like a total newb...) Not trying to hijack.
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March 29th, 2008
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| | Moderator
| Hi!
I was kind of trying to say if you have a male and a Female Bolivian you get really showy colours... Indeed most of the Bolivians who have been viewed by me have been that colour. Both are really cool. Oh, and about the GBR's you've had - how hardy are they really? I've never actually had experience with sensitive fish, and the only thing stopping me getting GBR's is I don't have a clue how sensitive 'Sensitive' really is? (1 year of fishkeeping and I still feel like a total newb...) Not trying to hijack.
[/quote]
Hi Hatchet...
Ok... now I understand, I was just wondering.. Well, on the GBR subject.. you have had a lot of experience with fishkeeping and I would say that if you got GBRs for one of your mature tanks, I really do not see why you wouldnt be able to keep them. GBRs can be hardy after they pass the transition period. That IMO is where the sensitive part of keeping them comes in. Once they acclimate and live for awhile in your tank, you are good to go~  They are great fish.
Sorry for the hijack Frogster.. hopefully some of this info on GBRs can be beneficial to your decision on getting any? | |
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March 29th, 2008
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| | Fish Master
| [/quote]
Hi Hatchet...
Ok... now I understand, I was just wondering.. Well, on the GBR subject.. you have had a lot of experience with fishkeeping and I would say that if you got GBRs for one of your mature tanks, I really do not see why you wouldnt be able to keep them. GBRs can be hardy after they pass the transition period. That IMO is where the sensitive part of keeping them comes in. Once they acclimate and live for awhile in your tank, you are good to go~ They are great fish.
Sorry for the hijack Frogster.. hopefully some of this info on GBRs can be beneficial to your decision on getting any?[/quote] Hi!
Thanks. That's what I guessed it would be like - now, I just have to locate some GBR's! If my LFS can get Bolivians easy, GBR's shouldn't be a problem in my heavy planted 47gal. Thanks Kate!
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March 29th, 2008
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| | Fish Keeper
| Mine acted funny for the first 2 days... But now they are very active, always swimming about, and even swimming near the surface which they JUST started doing 5 or 6 days after they came home.
They really do add a nice touch to our tank. | |
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March 29th, 2008
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| | Fish Addict
| dont worry bout the hijack i like the rams i liked getting so much info about these guys but can we get back on topic? what fish other than rams are cool and moderate to easy to care for that will go in a community tank. i liked the killifish but the lfs doesnt sell them and to order them is way too much. would flying foxes be ok i like them? i also want to add ghost shrimp. any ideas? | |
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March 29th, 2008
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| | Moderator
| sorry Frogster....  didnt mean to hijack...
Well, have you ever thought of trying rainbow fish? They really are neat fish and come in an assortment of types. They would work with your other fish that you already have... And as already suggested, rounding out the fish numbers you already have or try a dwarf Gourami with the group? | |
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March 29th, 2008
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| | Fish Keeper
| If you add ghost shrimp make sure you have no live bearing fish in the tank.. They will just eat them. At least thats what mine do.. 
I like a lot of different fish, I have pitbull plecos, Danios, guppies, swords, lyre tails, German Blue Rams, and a bunch of plants. I am thinking of adding some other fish but none have really caught my eye recently. I am WAY into the science of making a tank work. I'd rather make the equipment better, improve the water quality, research what I have more, and so on..
I have had Blue Gouramis in the past with no issues. Black skirt tetras are good, pretty much any tetra for that matter is good. I have thought about adding clams though.. Just for something different.
Anyway all of the fish I have listed get along really well with each other. We have moderate scuffles between the male swords but they are primarily "hey thats my woman" type of things.. | |
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March 29th, 2008
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| | Fish Addict
| do clams move at all and whats a rainbow fish? | |
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March 29th, 2008
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| | Fish Keeper
| clams move..... But not like fish... They are REALLY slow and typically move at night. | |
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March 29th, 2008
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| | Fish Addict
| o ok so whats a rainbow fish and how bug does it get? | |
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March 29th, 2008
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| | Fish Addict
| i like the rainbow but too expensive for me right now. | |
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March 29th, 2008
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| | Fish Mentor
| Hmmmm.... I think that what you are looking for is your 'center peice fish' right? You have a couple schools and algea eaters and you 'thats interesting' fish and you want something eyecatching now. I would say Pearl Gouramis or maybe a paradise fish. | |
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March 29th, 2008
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| | Fish Addict
| whats a paradise fish im just looking for something the same size as the rest of the fish that isnt aggressive like the flying fox or killi fish or guppys or the gbr. i cant find killis so if you know of a website where i could get them cheap please share i want an awesome community tank with as many different small species as the tank can hold thanks for all the help!  | |
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