FishProfiles.com Message Forums

what could i get in a 55gallon just wordering anyway you all choose!

My vote goes to a biiiiig colony of multies or similis - with the latter, a tank that size will really allow for some colony interaction, where a smaller tank might just lead to fighting.

Or you can go the boring route and have some paracyps, caudos, and some rockdweller or other - a Calvus, perhaps?

Anyway, those get my votes - but the first one would definitely be great.

-Molly
Visit shelldwellers.com!

*raises hand for multi colony*

I'll aloso suggest 2 Synodontis petricola/multipunctatus
Maybe 2 pairs of small rockdwellers also.

Do you want something colourful?
Something interesting to watch?
Do you want to breed anything?
How much work are you prepared to put into the tank?


We can't choose for you if we don't know what you're looking for..

It used to be a malawi tank so quite alot of work i would like somit to look at and sothing to breed!

Most rockdwellers of the neo,alto, and lamprologus familys are good breeders, and are quite interesting. They are a bit aggressive and some can possibly pair and dominate the tank.

Shellies are really interesting to watch and also breed.

Most synodontis are unique in their own way, but I personally dont see them that often ( I believe most are nocturnal if I recall)

If it were my tank, i'd stock it with..
6-8 Cyprichromis sp.
4-6 Neolamprologus Ocellatus (Only 1-2 male(s) to avoid any unecessary aggression).
1 Neolamprologus Cylindricus (or leleupi, not both).
1 Julidochromis sp.
1 Neolamprologus Brichardi (or pulcher, gracilis, olivaceous etc).
2-3 Synodontis multipunctatus.

I'd have 1-2" of silica sand as my substrate, quite a lot of rock work (limestone, sandstone, slate etc) towards the back of the tank (still leaving quite a bit of swimming room for the cyprichromis), atleast 2 shells per occelatus (spread out quite a bit to avoid aggression) and a few plants.

I'd do a 30% water change once a week (or 15-20% twice a week if you can. It's better to do small, frequent water changes to avoid any large fluctuations of your water parameters).

The Cyprichromis and Ocellatus will most likely breed if they're kept in good condition, and they won't really do much damage to tankmates if they have the room to have their own territories. I didn't suggest having pairs of rock dwellers because they can easily dominate the tank and harm other fish if they decide to spawn.