FishProfiles.com Message Forums

I have a 55 gallon with a breeding pair of convicts in it, I was wondering if I could put one more cichlid or any fish for that matter, weather it be schooling or not in the tank?

A school of:

Rainbows
Barbs
or Giant Danios would work out well because they are fast.

check my profile and see my stock list for my 55G.

55G Planted tank thread
19G Container Pond
[IMG]http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y118/Wingsdlc/Ric

I agree with the giant danio suggestion They are very fast, stay in the top-mid section of the tank, and are a good-size in comparision with the cons. The main issue is to stay away from anything that stays in the lower/bottom portion of the tank.

~~~~~~~~~~~~
There is water at the bottom of the ocean

That sounds like a good idea, they would probely keep the fry population in check aswell.

I have read that convicts could be kept with Thorichthys species (firemouths, peten cichlids, etc) provided there is enough space, and a 55g should be fine.

not sure another cichlid would be the best, but i see where you are coming from, i know personally i have a several pairs in a 55 and they all have their territories and what nots, and the ones that are not paired are up on the top, so i will have to remove them. i also have my small FH in their and he gets picked on, so i would use caution.

Yeah, I'm looking for a fish that will keep the fry number in check, or even just cut it down a little. I would say gaint danio's or tiger barbs might do the trick.

One trick to help with the aggression when they breed, is to make sure their breeding caves or such are at one end of the tank. This will give whatever other fish you put in there, room to get away from them, as well as swimming room. If your breeding caves are mid located, I fear your other fish, even surface area ones, will stay to one of the corner areas more than swimming out in the tank.

I agree with all the suggestions for just about any surface or mid water fish. If you do go with some more cichlids, make sure to get ones that are mouth brooders. Thus they won't fight over territories as much, live breeding caves. As the mouth brooders will spawn in open substrate areas and not the caves.

As for fry control, I would suggest a nice catfish. They will go in at night and take down the fry groups, a little more each night until they are gone. They will do a much better job than the danios and such. As for what kind... If you are not worried about mixing different location fish, I would go with a Synodontis multipunctatus. These guys stay relatively small and would do great in that size tank. They are very attractive and will definitely get the fry. As for SA catfish, I cannot think of any that stay small enough for that size of a tank, and are redily available on the market. The multis, though kind of expensive, are very hardy, and live a long time. You won't be disapointed with one or two of them. They may become your new centerpiece in the tank.

_____________________________________________________________

There is always a bigger fish...

ACIDRAIN, that information proves why you are a MOD.

I totally agree with the synodontis idea, I really love mine and since they are nocturnal it becomes a great treat when they come out in the day.

chris