ryanvb13

Hello I recently acquired a 55gallon Tropical freshwater fish tank. It already had in it 2 silverdollars and 1 other fish that I just cannot remember his name he is black and orange and about 3 inches long. He is not a chiclid or a Barb and Petsmart told me he would only get about 6 inches. We already got 2 common white algea eaters and I know that we are wanting to get two Bala sharks and maybe an Eel not 100% sure on that one though. My tank finishes cycling in one week and I would basically like a list telling me what would be some good compatible semi-aggressive fish that would do okay together. I got a book and it says that too have a good tank I would need to have a good variety of Top Swimmers, Midwater Swimmers and Bottom Dwellers, but I am somewhat at a loss as to what these fish would be. I also am feeding them Tetra Fish flakes as of right now that is what they came with and have given them bloodworms once. Is that food good enough or should I look for something better. The Bala Sharks are going to be the central fish of the tank so I would like to build around them even though I already have a few. When I got the tank it was in pretty bad condition with lots of algea and junk in it. I have taken the tank and cleaned it and all of the current fish are look tons better their color looks better and they are alot more active. What plants should be present and in what amount I have five plants that are pretty much down to their nubs from the silverdollars eating them before I got them. What about objects in the tank? I want to be a good fish owner and do not want to overcrowd my tank. Advice would really be appreciated thank you all so much.

Shawnie

welcome to fishlore !!

unfortunately, a 55g isnt big enough for bala's.they need 100g or more ......they can smash the side of that tank very easily as adults..and they do best in 3 or more..maybe look into rainbow shark or a red tail shark? ..id get a couple more silver dollars, and maybe some tetras and guppies or along those lines? finding out the fish you have is important though as well as what kind of plecos you have....if you can post pics, im sure we can help ...good luck!....

ryanvb13

I wasn't able to get very clear pics but here is what I could get. I am definetly not a photographer.

Jaysee

Petsmart sells them...can't remember the name though.

I agree, a red tailed or rainbow shark is better suited to the size of your tank than the balas

platy ben

Here in the UK we know them as cigar fish, and they get huge, atleast 10", maybe 12"?

Jaysee

If you click on the red tail shark link in post #2, the care sheet says they need at least 10 gallons.....

alicem

Could it be a black banded Leporinus (Leporinus fasciatus)? Google it and see what you think.
If so, it could be trouble for you eventually.
alicem

alicem

As I understand it, Silver dollars are herbivores and will eat most plants. Your money would be better spent on artificial ones.
Silk plants are pretty realistic and plastic plants look more "life like" after a little algae grows on them.

How many do you have already?
Between them, the silver dollars and the Leporinus fasciatus, you've got some tank busters in your 55G.
I would not add any more until you decide if you will keep them all or not.

I'm wondering what your "common white algae eater" is...
Could you post a pict so we can try to ID it for you?
alicem

ryanvb13

Ok I just found my guy that I didn't know the name of. So the total is 1 Black Banded Leoporinus, 2 Silverdollars, and 2 Gold Algae Eaters (here is a link for those two http://www.liveaquaria.com/product/p...938&pcatid=938) I don't have any bala sharks yet that is what I would really like the tank came with the leoporinus and silverdollars all I have added thus far are the algae eaters.

Shawnie

hes a nice looking fish!!!(great photo even if you dont think so ) but he wont do well with the fish you have.he will be a huge trouble maker......and your CAE, (algae eaters) might find the sides of your silver dollars and latch onto them..they love to suck off fish slimecoat...have you seen the rainbow or red tailed shark yet? one of them would do great in the tank..but balas wont they just get way to large...
anything else you might like?

ryanvb13

I am not real sure I am just going to have to do some research, we did however rehome the silverdollars yesterday so we do not have them anymore. They went to join a friends tank who loves them.