dancerhas

After much research we've developed this tentative list of fish for our 55 gallon tank (if we ever actually get it)

2 Blood Red Parrot Cichlids

5-6 Tiger Barbs

2 Chinese Algae Eaters.

We chose the BRP's for several reasons. First, they can't breed giving us no reason to worry about parental problems. Second, they're rather peaceful. Third, they grow around 7 inches and we wanted a medium sized fish for the tank. And finally, THEY'RE DARN CUTE! haha (did that count as swearing??)

We figured the tigers would be fast and busy so the CAE's wouldn't bother them. Plus our CAE's have always done very well with smaller fish. (so far)

What do you all think of this setup? We've been so swamped by all the types of cichlids it's been almost impossible to choose.

It seems we're cutting it really close to the overstocking line too (depending on how big our CAE's get), so I'd consider adding another filter to the tank to compensate, would that help?

capekate

Hi
I have parrot fish myself and YES.. they are so darn cute! I just love them and Im enjoying them very much in my community 55g tank.
I hope the tiger barbs will leave them alone tho, they are pretty mean little fish, I know I had them and I will never keep tiger barbs again, tho they sure are great looking fish. Parrots are shy and peaceful but do not hide in the tank and swim around freely. They love caves and I have two pots that they love to swim in and out of all day. They make a great 'center piece' fish.

dancerhas

Thanks Kate, I was wondering about them harrassing the larger slower fish myself. Are there any other fish similair in size and activity to tiger barbs, that might be a bit more friendly?

dalinturg

Tetras are generally more peaceful than bards. They many to choose from too.

capekate

You may want to check out the Harlequin Rasbora. They have the orange/red and black design and are a peaceful shoaler. They get to be about 1 1/4 in. in size. Or you can check out the Rummy Nose tetra, not the same color but a very nice peaceful fish as well and around the same size at 1 3/4 inches in size.

dancerhas

Thanks for the replies. Those fish are nice. But I'd be more inclined to add them to our community tank. I kinda wanted something a bit bigger for this one. I was looking at Giant Danios in Petsmart today...they're about the right size, and don't seem as hyper as zebra danios. Anybody have experience with them?

It's really a tough balance to find. A fish that won't harass the Parrots, but won't put up with the algae eaters.

Oh, and does anybody think the parrots might be too peaceful, should the algae eaters become aggressive? I've also been looking at Firemouth Cichlids. Or maybe one of each.

capekate

well, danio's are very hyper and can be nippy fish. Something along the same line as Danio's would be Australian rainbows. I have them and they remind me a lot of the giant danio's but are very peaceful towards all my fish and school together.. They are very active and playful with each other. They may not show much color in the store but after they are home they really do have a brilliant sheen of color to them.
I also had firemouth cichlids in my community but never with the Parrots. This was before the Parrots came along. I would go with only one firemouth as they can get pretty testy with each other.
So far you have for your 55g: 2 Parrot fish and a CAE.... lol...
We've got to be able to help you come up with something else lol..

dancerhas

I like the rainbow fish! I can't seem to find anywhere to buy them though, lol. None of my LFS's have them. Neither does ThatPetPlace.com. oh, and how big do they get? I couldn't find their length on any sites.

Edit: I just found them on Liveaquaria.com. Apparently they like colder water and lower pH than most common freshwater fish. it says 72-75 degrees F, and 6.5-7.2 PH. Our PH is 7.4.

capekate

Do you have a Petsmart near by? They always carry them. It depends on what type of rainbow you get, but the A. Splenden Rainbow, the common one found at the chain stores get to be about 6 inches long. My guys are about a year old and are around 4inchs now. Some like the threadfin rainbow are smaller in size at around 2inch. Then you have the choice of Boeseman's, Salmon Red, Turquoise.
I had a great site saved before my pc crashed and I lost them all, but there are lots of sites online with the rainbowfish information. I will try and find my favorite one and add it here.
Here is a link, with photos and you can click on the photo for more info on each. Hope it helps..

http://www.tropicalfishandaquariums....fish/index.asp

dancerhas

Uh, Petsmart? yeah we have one, but they don't have rainbows...I've NEVER seen them there.

capekate

WOW.. that is a shame. My local Petsmart has them all the time. Maybe on a chance, you can call your local petsmart and mention that other petsmarts carry the rainbows and maybe they can order some in the future?

dancerhas

Good idea, they may be able to order.

dancerhas

Aha! They may not have rainbows, but here is something they do have:

Glassfish! (not dyed, petsmart finally did something right)

They're right in our water parameters, peaceful, 3 inches long, and fast swimming.

capekate

The glassfish are actually pretty cool! Nice idea!

dancerhas

And my fiance has always wanted them, so that's another plus.

PepsiGirl71

[quote=dancerhas;470539]After much research we've developed this tentative list of fish for our 55 gallon tank (if we ever actually get it)

2 Blood Red Parrot Cichlids

5-6 Tiger Barbs

2 Chinese Algae Eaters.

We chose the BRP's for several reasons. First, they can't breed giving us no reason to worry about parental problems. Second, they're rather peaceful. Third, they grow around 7 inches and we wanted a medium sized fish for the tank. And finally, THEY'RE DARN CUTE! haha (did that count as swearing??)
QUOTE]

Blood Parrot Cichlids do lay eggs though. I get them in my tank every couple months. I just vaccuum them up, or let them eat the eggs. They are peaceful, playful, just a joy to watch. They are so cute!

sirdarksol

I love glassfish, and you're right, Petsmart has done one thing right there. Petsmart is actually the only place in the Twin Cities that I have seen undyed glassfish. Come to think of it, I've never seen any kind of dyed fish at any of the local Petsmarts (and we've got a bunch of them).
The one thing Petsmart gets wrong about glassfish is that they say that the fish need aquarium salt. This is wrong. They're freshwater fish. They seem to need slightly brackish water to breed, but I'm not sure of that.

dancerhas

^^ Yeah, they seem to think that about half of their fish NEED salt. They're not puffers Mr. Petsmart!

I actually saw my first dyed fish at a LFS the other day. Made me SO MAD, they were white mollies with little polka dots and hearts dyed on them. I wanted to punch somebody. I instantly decided that that was my last trip to that store. (kinda a bummer too, because they have a great selection of accessories)

capekate

The do lay eggs and go through the ritual, but the males are sterile so you dont have to worry about unwanted fry. They eat the eggs after the eggs die off. Poor little things for all the trouble they go thru..

dancerhas

^^There seem to be different views on the matter. Some people swear that all parrots are completely sterile, while others say that some are and some aren't, and others even go to the bother to give people a complete guide on how to breed them. haha!

capekate

This is true. I also read that there was a fish developer in Japan that has been working on producing males that were not sterile. So it is possible that those that have said their fish had produced fry could have come from one of those.
They will still breed, but will the eggs come to fruition is the question...?
Im wondering if there are some hybrids or morphed fry included in the successful spawns of the parrot fish? Since the parrot is a hybrid of two cichlids, why not have a spawn with another cichlid in the home tank?

dancerhas

I think I read that they will breed with Convicts...