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We recently purchased a 55 g. and I am new to fish. I know, sounds dumb right? My mother in law has had fish forever (5 tanks over 55 g) and I know she will help us set it up right. But I wanted you opinion. I was hoping for 1 Oscar, 1 Pacus and 1 plec. From what I am reading, my oscar wont be happy in a 55. What do you think?
Thanks,
Jen

Yup, I'd skip the oscar - it's not that it can't work, but who wants "well, it's basically big enough" to be what they have to say to people admiring the fish?
The pacu, definitely not - the smallest species pass 2', and that's a biiiig, hefty fish for the size. Basically these shouldn't be kept in home aquariums (home indoor ponds, maybe).
The pleco, sure, but I'd recommend a species other than common. Again, a 24" (or even 18" fish with that mass doesn't belong in a 55.

If you like big cichlids, how about...
A JD?
A pair of Firemouths?
Angelfish?
Convicts?
Salvini? (Personal fave, gorgeous fish)
Mbuna, maybe Yellow Labs?
Brichardi colony?
Multi colony? (He he, that's what I'd do but then I'm silly)

-Molly
Visit shelldwellers.com!

A 55 gallon tank is the minumim a oscar cna be kept in.And if yuor new to fish keeping I wouldnt risk it. An if the second fish you listed is a pacu,then thats a no, pacu become incredibly large,they wont fit in a 55. So I would recomend maybe some convicts? They are very nice looking hearty fish and they would fit well in a 55.

-topher

Edit: little you beet me again!!

[span class="edited"][Edited by topher02 2004-08-19 23:50][/span]

Wow thanks for the quick response. OK, I must have messed on the Pacu, that is not the fish I was intending. I guess I was just hoping I could do 1 Oscar, but that why I'm here. I am going to look into some of the other fish you recommended.
jen