FishProfiles.com Message Forums

hey all was wondering how many chilids can i put in a 55g tank or bala sharks.Also what do u guys suggest to put in a 55g tank as for fish.This is my 1st 55g i have 2 20g and 1 10g in one 20 i have 7neons 1betta 3blk neons 2corys 3blood tetras 1 male guppie in the other 20 i have 2 painted platys 1dwarf gurami 1female velvet swordtail and the 10 is empty getting cycled so what do u suggest i should put in my 55g im looking for awesome looking fish.That ppl can come to my house and say WOW lol.

I'd leave Bala Sharks alone. First, their size is such that even a 55 is too small for them - they reach a foot in length - and what's more they're shoaling fishes, so to do them justice, you'd need an aqurium big enough for 6 or more 12 inch fishes ... to do that job properly you're looking at a 250 gallon aquarium ...

Cichlids in a 55 ... and colourful ones ... hmm.

How about Malawi Peacocks - Aulonocara species? They are utterly gorgeous (just take a look at the Cichlid Room's page on the Genus Aulonocara:

Aulonocara species gallery

However, if you run with these, remember that they're Malawian Rift Lake fishes, and need the appropriate water chemistry (i.e., hard and alkaline). Also, remember that these fishes are NOT Mbuna, have considerably different habits from Mbuna, and should NOT be housed with Mbuna with the possible exception of peaceful ones such as Iodotropheus sprengerae and Yellow Labs. Even then, it's a mixture that should be performed with care.

for Aulonocara species, you need a fairly open aquarium with an extensive sandy bottom. Because that's where they live in the wild - over the open substrate. They are also different from Mbuna diet wise - they need more animal matter in their diet and do NOT eat algae. Consequently, this is another reason why mixing them with Mbuna is fraught with perils unless you're an experienced keeper, because getting the vegetable matter to the Mbuna while at the same time giving the Aulonocara species their much more carnivorous diet takes a certain amount of skill and dexterity. Possible, but I'd play safe if I were you and stick with just the Aulonocara species. Furthermore, I'd pick just one species, and have 1 male with 6 to 8 females (because they're harem spawners). That would be your 55 more or less stocked to completion. But ... before you lament this, take a look at this photo of Aulonocara stuartgranti and tell me that wouldn't look awesome

Of course, if money is no object, you could opt for a Tanganyikan setup instead with Benthochromis tricoti. However, before you let yourself be seduced by the picture (and believe me this IS a show stopper of a fish, here's the illustration to prove it), bear in mind that you will be taking on a demanding fish in terms of maintenance, and one that will require considerable 'hands on' care. Oh, and then there's the price ... here in the UK these beauties will cost around £250 each. Translate that into US dollars, that's close on $400 PER FISH. Now, if you happen to have a spare $3,000 lying around, go ahead and keep these, but be warned that you'll be taking on a difficult fish, and that any mistakes you make will be achingly expensive ones!


Panda Catfish fan and keeper/breeder since Christmas 2002

it depends on what kind of cichlids you want to keep. this would probably be a better topic for the cichlid forum than general.

---

"That's the trouble with political jokes in this country... they get elected!" -- Dave Lippman