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I'm just starting to stock my newly cycled 55G tank. Here are the water parameters and stock the list:

Temp 78*F
PH 7.6
GH 6
KH 4
Amonia 0
Nitrit 0
Nitrate 10

8 Flame Tetras
4 Platies (1M/3F)

So last time we were at the LFS we were looking at bottom feeders. There were three that both my wife and I liked. First ones were pictus cats. Now there seems to be some debate as to how big these guys get. I've heard everything from 4"-8". The next thing we liked were yoyo loaches. The final thing we liked were cories (probably panda).

I've heard that you want about 6 cories or 4 loaches/pictus so they don't get lonely. I would really like the pictus, but I think they will get too big for my tank. What about the yoyo? Will it get too big as well? If so I will have to settle with the cories.

Thanks in advance for the suggestions.

Here is a site for info on the pictus catfish: http://www.planetcatfish.com/core/

Here is one for the yoyo
http://www.loaches.com/species_pages/botia_almorhae.html

You can google corydoras and find all kinds of info about them. Sorry I don't know how to make links for these addresses but you could always copy and paste them. The yoyo is my personal favorite and they don't get very big. Good luck with whatever you choose and I hope these sites help you out a bit.

Corydoras are very beautiful & playful fish. They are also very peaceful & need to stay in a school of 6.

What other fish are you going to buy for your tank?.



http://www.flickr.com/photos/corydoras/
Member of the Malta Aquarist Society - 1970.
http://www.maltaaquarist.com

Pictus are great looking fish. I also would love to have some in a future tank. But, even at 4" I think the tetras could be in for some trouble. And like you already know, there really isn't a true max size listed anywhere. I've heard 4" max and all the way up to 10" max. To be safe go with the cories. For the size tank get at least 10.

My main question is would pictus or a yoyo get too big for a 55G?

jasonpisani, Other fish I plan on for the tank are black skirt tetras possibly a pair of rams and a blue gouromi. These are just thoughs as I have not bought any of them yet.

T/A, This is what I was thinking. Would the yoyos be too big as well? They are my second choice so far. Plus I hear they eat snails.

This is ReikoX's wife.....so same tank here folks......

I also like the red honey dwarf gourami and would like to try another angelfish. Poor Serra Angel died from parasites (since that we did meds for tank) and I think hubby is reluctant to try another one. Possibly a mild-mannered dwarf cichlid.....still been debating that.

the yoyos would be fine in there. i have 5 in my 75g. i you get some though get atleast 3 but more is better

I will be honest right from the start here just so you know, I've had no experience with any of these fish. That said however i am also a fan of the pictus catfish and have been wanting one for nearly 12months and have asked every question i can to every one i can and from what i've generalised out of the answers is that they grow to between 4 & 6" and can be kept on their own. But like i said i have never had one before and the only reason i don't have one now is because i would like to have more than 1 and don't really have the room at the moment. But in all honesty they would look better with more than 1.
Hope this helps.

I would get 6 YoYo loaches, and some corys