stocking a 55 gallon oddball tank

sarah.sand · 08-13-2009, 11:21 PM

OK, so my fiancé and I got our new 55 gallon; we have set it up, cycled it and have added some fish. We want to add one or two more but don't know what to get. We want something a little unusual, something people don't see everywhere else and we need some suggestions...

So far this is what we have:
1 red tail
4 corys
2 siamese algea eaters
1 upside down catfish
1 pleco
(all are still babies)

the tank has a lot of plant cover, hiding places, a heater and a 110 gallon regulated filter on it.

Any suggestions?

devinator · 08-14-2009, 01:36 AM

african butterfly fish, hatchets? maybe even a bichir until it gets to big.

Judge · 08-14-2009, 06:14 PM

Ages ago I had an Elephant Nose..very unique and mild mannered. Fun to watch.

ZeroSystem · 08-14-2009, 07:57 PM

I'm really into dwarf south american cichlids right now, which I think would work well in your tank if you found some you liked. Bolivian Rams and laetacara species have been what I've been keeping, but there are others that are really cool as well, such as apistos. The only tank mate I'd be concerned about is the Red Tail. I used to have one and when he got to be a good size he started chasing a firemouth of mine all over the place! Maybe the firemouth was a wimp, or maybe the 29g just wasn't big enough for the both of 'em, I don't know. I ended up putting the Red Tail into my 75g african cichlid tank and he did great. Anyways, you've got a lot of options, if I think of anything else I'll let you know.

devinator · 08-15-2009, 12:55 AM

if by red tail you mean red tail catfish, i wiould be very careful with them seeing as they can grow 6+ feet and well over 85 pounds. Ideally as adults they would have a 500-600 gallon tank just to survive. they are also carnivores so they will need some kind of meaty pellet food or something of the sort to help provide protien.

sarah.sand · 08-15-2009, 06:35 PM

by red tail i meant red tail shark

sarah.sand · 08-15-2009, 06:44 PM

thank you all very much for the suggestions... as of right now the african butterfly fish seems most intriguing.

devinator · 08-16-2009, 10:59 PM

good, maybe try a knife fish until they get to big they are pretty cool to.