55 Gallon Semi-Aggressive Feedback

I'm relatively new to the hobby, I have a 20G tall planted community tank up and running close to a year now which led me to start up a 55G semi-aggressive tank and I was just looking for some feedback.

I'm running the Emperor 400 HOB filter along with a Cascade 1000 canister for filtration with a 425 gph Koralia powerhead. The tank is cycled, planted and in addition has driftwood, rocks and a small river rock substrate. Pic:

Current stocking (all juveniles, don't know sex of any, not looking to add unless something changes with current list):

12 Tiger Barbs
1 Firemouth
1 Electric Blue Acara
2 Kribensis
4 Nerite snails
2 Amara Shrimp

The only stockings issue to date is my Firemouth likes to chase off my EBA fairly regularly, the EBA is slightly bigger and doesn't seem overly concerned but should I be proactive here and ditch the Firemouth? I'd really like to keep him/her as I had one long ago that I was fond of and wasn't aggressive at all.

I turned the return on the Cascade back against the aquarium because it seemed all the fish were having trouble swimming around the middle of the tank, is this okay?

Looking for general feedback on the setup and input on the potential Firemouth issue, he/she is about 1.5" currently.

Thanks

 

Welcome to Fishlore, hope you get some responses today

 

Looking to see if anyone has any feedback for me.

The update is that for a brief period of time the EBA would stand his/her ground and the FM would always back off.

However my buddies 2 year old son was nice enough to crack my tank and I had to do a full reboot, everyone survived but since the new setup the FM has really taken over the tank, it chases the EBA relentlessly as well as harassing the Kribs. The EBA has taken to hanging out in one of the upper back corners and I'm worried the stress is getting to it.

I added even more plants to the new tank and tried to build a larger boundary in the center, but the FM seems to have no interest in picking a territory and has instead claimed the whole tank.

My current inclination is to give it another 2-3 days and get rid of the FM if things don't improve.

 

Update (not that it seems anyone is all that interested).

EBA got ich. I walked temp to 86 but the FM and even Tiger Barbs sensed it was weak and I woke up yesterday with it dead.

None of the other fish showing any outward signs of ich, keeping temp at 86 with water changes every 2-3 days. I'm pretty sure it came in on the plants when I had to get the new tank, considering the stress I'm surprised there was only one casualty from all of that.

I'm going to go back to the well once the tank is ready and get another EBA, probably one that is slightly larger than my FM.

Does anyone have a better recommendation for new world tank mate with my FM (who I've decided to keep at this point)?

 

Sorry this is the first time seeing this thread. I'm assuming we are still working with a 55 gallon.

I think the electric blue acara is a good idea. You could try a regular blue acara, or if you are wanting something with a little bit more gusto for defending against the firemouth, you could try a jack dempsey but I think you are pushing your stocking with that. May still be fine though. Another idea would be a convict. Firemouths are typically a little on the pushy side until someone stands up to it. Personally I'd probably go with an EB Jack Dempsey or a larger EB Acara.

 

Thanks for the feedback.

I really like the idea of the EBJD, however I've read that health issues are very common and I'm a little spooked by that.

Assuming I do an electric blue JD or Acara, any room/need for a Bristlenose or bottom feeder of some sort?

 

And sorry, yes, 55G still (it is an upstairs room and I don't want to push my luck).

 

There isn't necessarily a need for one but I think you probably have the room for one if you want one

 

Update:

So the stress of the tank moves/ich outbreak cost me the original electric blue acara, one Krib and two Tiger Barbs.

Since then everything has stabilized (kept water at 86 with frequent water changes). I recently added a larger EBA and after a few days of territory battles with the firemouth there are no issues (the FM still chases the remaining krib occasionally).

I'm not looking to replace the two barbs as they seem to be content in their group of 10 and don't bother anyone. I'd like to replace the krib but the FM seems to dominate them and I assume that will only get worse as it gets bigger.

Any suggestions on the krib? Would adding more than one be of any benefit? I've added a HydroSponge IV to the Cascade 1000 and Emperor 400 so I should have plenty of filtration (tank looks great). Do I have room for another cichlid (Severum perhaps)?

 

Severums need a 75 minimum so I wouldn't add one that already has 3 cichlids in there. I probably wouldn't add any other cichlid right now. I think 3 cichlid species in a 55 is plenty. You have room for an additional krib but it's probably 50/50 if it would make it better or worse

 

So I rolled the dice, bought two more Kribs and a Rio Curua (L401) Pleco and added more driftwood and plants.

All is now well and has been for several weeks, no more aggression, occasionally the FM will chase one of the Kribs or Kribs chase each other but nothing like it was previously.

I'm considering the tank fully stocked at this point and have moved to twice weekly water changes up from one.

 

As said in the title, I am looking for semi-aggressive stock ideas for a 55 gallon tank. The filter is a Marineland Penguin Bio-Wheel 350b. I will also be doing water changes once a week. Live plants (anacharis and amazon sword.) Any help is appreciated and I thank you for it!

 

How about a Senegal bichir. They do get big and will eat anything that fits in their mouth. Mine always picks on my angelfish.

 

A bichir will get way too big for a 55.

How about a school of tiger barbs, a single rainbow shark OR red tail shark, and some three spot gourami?

Or how about a tank full of just paradise gourami? These guys have super cool dynamics and are really pretty to watch. But they are very much semI to very aggressive and not a good mix with fish smaller than them (those are food). Fish larger than them could hold their own and most paradise tend to size the other fish up, realize they are bigger, and then leave them alone.

 

A bichir will get way too big for a 55.

How about a school of tiger barbs, a single rainbow shark OR red tail shark, and some three spot gourami?

Or how about a tank full of just paradise gourami? These guys have super cool dynamics and are really pretty to watch. But they are very much semI to very aggressive and not a good mix with fish smaller than them (those are food). Fish larger than them could hold their own and most paradise tend to size the other fish up, realize they are bigger, and then leave them alone.

Could a red tail shark and paradise gouramis work together?

 

I've never tried it personally. I would make sure I start with the red tail shark being bigger than the paradise gourami.
You could probably make the tank work if it was well planted and decorated with plenty of hiding spots (there will be chasing) and kept the temp around 73-74. And keep a back up tank ready in case someone decides to rip some fins off.

 

I've never tried it personally. I would make sure I start with the red tail shark being bigger than the paradise gourami.
You could probably make the tank work if it was well planted and decorated with plenty of hiding spots (there will be chasing) and kept the temp around 73-74. And keep a back up tank ready in case someone decides to rip some fins off.

I won't risk it then. Lol. Can any other fish live with paradise gouramis?

 

That is actually a Question I am attempting to research more myself this year, as I will be having several tanks with paradise gourami that I will try other fish with. Sadly I've had very little luck finding info about housing these guys with other fish online aside from goldfish - apparently when they were first brought back to Europe the goldfish keepers of the time were the first to keep them. Because the goldfish and paradise both handled cooler water well, and the goldfish were bigger than the paradise, they were relatively unmolested.

I already know danios are food to paradise gourami. So are corydoras. I haven't tried dojos yet but they are on the list.

I know plecos are safe with them as long as the plecos are at least three inches long. Dragon gobies are actually so far working really well too. Mind you I had to acclimate the paradise up to having a little salt in the tank, and the dragon goby to also be happy with that level of salt (considering the dragon goby came from a store where he was in fresh water, I think he's happy) and THEN I put them in the same tank. The paradise gourami checked out the goby, realized he was three times their length, and decided he wasn't worth screwing with. So far they leave him alone aside from trying to steal his algae wafers.... But paradise fish are gluttons you will find. They will eat anything. Very easy species to get to eat right from your hand, especially if you keep a group of them. But we're three months in with paradise and dragon goby and all is well.

 

That is actually a Question I am attempting to research more myself this year, as I will be having several tanks with paradise gourami that I will try other fish with. Sadly I've had very little luck finding info about housing these guys with other fish online aside from goldfish - apparently when they were first brought back to Europe the goldfish keepers of the time were the first to keep them. Because the goldfish and paradise both handled cooler water well, and the goldfish were bigger than the paradise, they were relatively unmolested.

I already know danios are food to paradise gourami. So are corydoras. I haven't tried dojos yet but they are on the list.

I know plecos are safe with them as long as the plecos are at least three inches long. Dragon gobies are actually so far working really well too. Mind you I had to acclimate the paradise up to having a little salt in the tank, and the dragon goby to also be happy with that level of salt (considering the dragon goby came from a store where he was in fresh water, I think he's happy) and THEN I put them in the same tank. The paradise gourami checked out the goby, realized he was three times their length, and decided he wasn't worth screwing with. So far they leave him alone aside from trying to steal his algae wafers.... But paradise fish are gluttons you will find. They will eat anything. Very easy species to get to eat right from your hand, especially if you keep a group of them. But we're three months in with paradise and dragon goby and all is well.

This is very interesting information to work with. Thank you. It seems as though the housemates seem to prefer the RTBS more though. *sigh.* Could I get one of them with 4 pearl gouramis and 2 siamese flying foxes?

 

Okay to be clear, which 'siamese flying fox' are you referring to? Unfortunately this is a common name shared by several species.
Epalzeorhynchus kallopterus is in the same family as red tail black sharks, will fight with them and is also territorial and will fight with others of its own kind as well. I would not get two of them, and I personally wouldn't even stick one of them in a tank with a red tail.

Crossocheilus Siamensis is is the 'true siamese algae eater' which also called the siamese flying fox. These are smaller, more bland fish that will school together and are non combative.

Pearl Gourami would be perfectly fine with a red tail shark. You could even do a larger group of them and be fine.

 

You could try a convict colony. Quite aggressive but very entertaining. 4 or 5 convicts or a convict type species (sajicas, honduran red points) would do well. You could also consider a colony of firemouth with some swordtails for dithers. Several thorichthys species would work such as meekI (firemouth), pasiones, helleri, etc.

As for the bichir suggestion, senegalus would probably be ok if it was a tank bread specimen. Usually these guys max out at around 9 inches or so. While typically a 9 inch fish is too large for a 55 gallon tank, i've been lead to believe from the MFK bichir forum (where those guys have been keeping bichirs for years and years as well as some of the more active polypterus researchers post there) that senegalus would be ok in a 55. But i'm not sure how happy you'd be with one if it was your only inhabitant.

 

You could try a convict colony. Quite aggressive but very entertaining. 4 or 5 convicts or a convict type species (sajicas, honduran red points) would do well. You could also consider a colony of firemouth with some swordtails for dithers. Several thorichthys species would work such as meekI (firemouth), pasiones, helleri, etc.

As for the bichir suggestion, senegalus would probably be ok if it was a tank bread specimen. Usually these guys max out at around 9 inches or so. While typically a 9 inch fish is too large for a 55 gallon tank, i've been lead to believe from the MFK bichir forum (where those guys have been keeping bichirs for years and years as well as some of the more active polypterus researchers post there) that senegalus would be ok in a 55. But i'm not sure how happy you'd be with one if it was your only inhabitant.

Though they look amazing, I'm going to have to say no to the bichir. I was gifted a baby tiger oscar by my friend once because she won it, and she thought it was some kind of fish that stays small. I had to get rid of the rest of the fish in the tank so I eouldn't be changing water every other day. He also helped get rid of some of them, with his belly. I gave him to an aquarium though. So he will get a nice 600 gal with other oscars to share.

I was interested in doing a convict tank, but I decided I wanted more variety. Thanks for the help though!

 

Okay to be clear, which 'siamese flying fox' are you referring to? Unfortunately this is a common name shared by several species.
Epalzeorhynchus kallopterus is in the same family as red tail black sharks, will fight with them and is also territorial and will fight with others of its own kind as well. I would not get two of them, and I personally wouldn't even stick one of them in a tank with a red tail.

Crossocheilus Siamensis is is the 'true siamese algae eater' which also called the siamese flying fox. These are smaller, more bland fish that will school together and are non combative.

Pearl Gourami would be perfectly fine with a red tail shark. You could even do a larger group of them and be fine.

I will look up the species-specific names to see which one I mean and get back to you

 

I meant crossocheilus siamensis. So yes. Any others thst can go with the RTBS, Siamese Algae Eater, and five pearl or opaline gouramis?

 

Ah okay, that will work nicely then. Should really be competition between those species.
You could do some American Flagfish, which would stay towards the bottom and mid of the tank, or some tiger barbs, which roam everywhere. If tiger barbs, at least 8 for a proper group so they will play nice. However tiger barbs come in several morphs (green, albino platinum, long fin) which you can mix and match as you like and they all will play with each other.

 

Ah okay, that will work nicely then. Should really be competition between those species.
You could do some American Flagfish, which would stay towards the bottom and mid of the tank, or some tiger barbs, which roam everywhere. If tiger barbs, at least 8 for a proper group so they will play nice. However tiger barbs come in several morphs (green, albino platinum, long fin) which you can mix and match as you like and they all will play with each other.

So as a final stock:
1× Red Tail Black Shark
5× Pearl/Opaline Gouramis
10× Tiger Barbs
1 or 2× Bristlenose Plecostomus?

 

So, I went to my lfs (bad idea), and saw an african leaf fish. So as a final stock, could I have:
1× African Leaf Fish
1× Bristlenose Plecostomus
1× Red Tail Black Shark
10× Tiger Barbs
Could I also possibly put some snails in there, too? Or would they eat my anacharis and amazon sword?

 

If you are up to a species only tank, I suggest Jewel Cichlids, and Bucktooth Tetras.
Bucktooth Tetras are extremely aggressive. Think of them as little Piranhas.

 

You could try a convict colony. Quite aggressive but very entertaining. 4 or 5 convicts or a convict type species (sajicas, honduran red points) would do well. You could also consider a colony of firemouth with some swordtails for dithers. Several thorichthys species would work such as meekI (firemouth), pasiones, helleri, etc.

As for the bichir suggestion, senegalus would probably be ok if it was a tank bread specimen. Usually these guys max out at around 9 inches or so. While typically a 9 inch fish is too large for a 55 gallon tank, i've been lead to believe from the MFK bichir forum (where those guys have been keeping bichirs for years and years as well as some of the more active polypterus researchers post there) that senegalus would be ok in a 55. But i'm not sure how happy you'd be with one if it was your only inhabitant.

8 inches is actually considered large for a senegalus, and they are by far the slowest growing polypterus, so it will take years for it to reach that size. As for it being captive bred, I wouldn't worry about that. Wild caught senegalus are extremely rare in the U.S.. The OP is more likely to get struck by lightning than stumble across a wild caught senegalus.

A senegalus will be fine as far as aggression. They aren't aggressive, just opportunistic. If a snack sized tetra decides to lay down in front of them, they may go for it if they're hungry, but they won't actively seek them.