dancerhas

Me and my fiance are plotting to obtain a 55 gallon tank around christmas. (or maybe FOR christmas ) The main reason we want one is so our Chinese Algae Eaters have a larger home in which to grow and thrive. Obviously they're not the best community fish, but I was wondering if we could keep other fish there as well and what might be the best fish to keep. Considering their tendancy to attach to flatter fish, i"m guessing fish like silver dollars are completely out of the question. But how about Tiger Barbs? A buddy of mine reccomended Cichlids (his personal fave) but I really don't know much about them or how they'd react with the CAE.

I'd appreciate all suggestions. This way we can avoid a newbie impulse purchase.

Btw, do I post too much?

GouramiGuy

you can never post too much!

Your friend was right, cichlids are the perfect choice. pick some that are around 6 inches long and avoid getting pairs, as they can be terrotorial when breeding. tiger barbs would be too small to keep with a group of CAE's

Good luck!

Lucy

lol, I can only answer one question for you.

No you don't post too much.

I stink at stocking suggestions, I'll leave that question for others.

GouramiGuy

lucy apparently thinks I'm an expert! but I don't think that stocking is too complicated, where I mess up is usually in quantity not compatibility.

Beeker

One of the best ways I have found to stock my tank is to look at pictures of other tanks. Check the galleries and members tanks. See if it gives you any ideas. I started with a color and a "centerpiece fish" and then work around that. What is compatible with it, and then fill the space; bottom dwellers, mid-section of the tank, and then some higher ups. Check the species profiles and see what you like. Some of the favorite centerpieces are gouramis, cichlids, and GBRs (German Blue Rams). And some of the favorite schoolers are Barbs, Tetras, and Platies. It is a bit difficult when you have CAEs though. They are not easy to work with because they become carnivorous when they get older.

sirdarksol

A couple of things: I wouldn't go with the larger cichlids for the same reason I wouldn't go with silver dollars. They're big enough that the CAEs could attach themselves to. Other than that, you'd also want to avoid the African cichlids, since they need different water requirements than CAEs.
Tiger barbs (or any other small fish) would be good, in my opinion. They're small and fast. They'd be difficult targets for the algae eaters.

RTBS

I would love to have a pair of African or Convict Cichlids and they would stand their ground against CAE thats for sure.

Worst Tank Mates: Slow-moving fish and flat-sided fish are loved by Chinese algae eaters. You’ll see them “kissing” goldfish, gouramis, and angels constantly.

Good Tank Mates: Chinese algae eaters have a hard time catching small, fast-moving fishes. Danios, barbs, and tetras survive fairly well with them.

Better Tank Mates: When Chinese algae eaters get large, throw them in with your cichlids – preferably African cichlids. They can take turns “kissing” each other. We take in large ones at Aqualand all the time. In cichlid tanks, they like to hide in the rock work. They come out when they feel like playing tag.

Best Tank Mates: Chinese algae eaters rarely bother turtles and crayfish.

http://aqualandpetsplus.com/Oddball,...ae%20Eater.htm

Read more on CAE from the site listed above...

sirdarksol

Not a good idea. Turtles are deceptively fast and will eat pretty much any fish they can get their jaws on.

Edit: I just realized that this suggestion list was copied from a website that gives very questionable information on other subjects.
When copying another website, it's best to post disclaimer as such, both to provide credit where credit is due and to let us know where it came from.

dancerhas

Wow, so many great replies. Thank you all. I'm going to be reading up on Cichlids tonight.

sirdarksol

Good luck. Let us know how things turn out.

dancerhas

From what I gather, if you get Cichlids, you need to get different types So they don't breed and get testy with other fish?

We like what we've seen so far. The main negative to Cichlids is the price, and whether we trust ourselves to keep (relatively) expensive fish.

Red1313

If you're tank is cycled and the fish that you pick up are healthy then you shouldn't have to much trouble. The breeding issue is one of the main reasons that I don't have cichlids, no matter how cool they are. Try picking up to females if you want to avoid breeding.
Good Luck.