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I really like keeping fish. However, due to space/money issues I've never been able to have a tank bigger that a 5 gallon. Even that had to go eventually, because my mom needed the room for a toaster oven and I wanted to buy a guinea pig.

Anyway, I saw a 55 gallon fish tank in the store today and I fell in love with it. I don't have any room for it now, but I'm going to be moving into a new apartment in June and I might be able to get one, if there is enough space. Since June, is a few months away, I have just enough time to save up for the tank, plan out the fish, and badger my mom until she lets me buy it.

I was just wondering what kind of fish you would stock it with, if you were in my place. The only thing I'm sure about is that I want a freshwater tank. Everything else is up to you.

55 would be nice .
Personally I'd stick with smaller fish in it as it's only 12" deep. Some active schooling fish like gold barbs with a big school of corys for the bottom and maybe one or two slightly larger fish (none come to mind) should fill you out nicely. Having it planted of course would be perfect!

^_^

[hr width='40%']"There’s an emptiness inside her. And she’d do anything to fill it in.
And though it’s red blood bleeding from her now. It's more like cold blue ice in her heart.
She feels like kicking out all the windows. And setting fire to this life."

for a 55 gallon:

1 pair [link=Cryptoheros sajica (aka T-bar cichlid)]http://www.tangledupincichlids.com/images/sajica.pair.jpg" style="COLOR: #FF8080[/link]
either 6-8 Upside down catfish or 10-12 of some type of Corydora catfish
8-10 tiger barbs

or

1 pair [link=any Thorichthys]http://www.cichlidae.com/gallery.php?genus=Thorichthys" style="COLOR: #FF8080[/link]
10 platys
10-12 of some type of corydora catfish


these are just a couple of ideas.

I'm really ticked now because I have to type this whole post over because I lost it before...

I'm not actually sure what size tank I'll get. I decided the tank in the store is way too pricy (see my thread on tank prices) and I'm going to buy used instead. I'm shooting for something between a 30 gallon and a 90 gallon. However, it all depends on who's selling what and if my mom will let me have anything at all. By the way, does anybody know how to convince your mom to let you have a fish tank that will be bigger then your kitchen table? Mind you, this is the same woman that thought a 5 gallon was too big...

Anyway, I've kinda figured out what I want to fill it with. I like babel's idea the best. Sorry jason, but they don't sell either of those chichlids, or anything like them near me. I'm going to go with lots of tetras and cories and little fish and maybe an angelfish or two. I want it to be full of life. I've seen some tanks with just a few big, inactive fish like oscars and it looks very boring. I have no idea about numbers, and I really don't care cause this tank is still a long way off, even if i can have it. I won't be able to get anything until mid-late summer becasue we all need time to unpack. Well, wish me the best of luck.

Maybe gouramis instead of angels? Of course, that's my preference, as I'm not a big angel fan... However, a couple big opalines or something would just be stunning.

~Meow. Thus spoke the cat.~

I was thinking of opaline, because I've kept them before. But I really want an angelfish. Could I keep an opaline with an angel? I would only buy one of each, becasue i'm not interested in breeding. What if I had one angel, one gourami, and a mix of cories and tetras.

If an opaline is too agressive for an angelfish, could I have dwarf gouramis instead?

The tank I am getting will either be a 55 or 75 gallon. I'll hoping for the second one (obviously) and the chances are that it will be. However, the tank might even be as big as a 90 gallon! I'm not sure as for numbers, but the fish I'm looking at in order of favorite are:

Angelfish
black skirt tetras
Rams
black phantom tetras
ottos
cories
small pleco (maybe a bristlenose, but no bigger then that)
loach(s) (not sure what kind, except for clown, I don't want anything that will outgrow my tank)
Dwarf gourami(s)
Opaline gourami(s)
black neon tetras
neon tetras
cardinal tetras

The neon/black neon/cardinal tetras are mabyes(which is why their on the bottom of the list). I wouldn't be heartbroken if anyone suggested if I dropped them because of the angel(s). I probably can't put the goruramis together because of agression, but I was wondering if the size of the tank would make a difference. If not, then which species would be best with my setup?. I know opalines might have some problems with angels and rams. Thanks for the help, and if there are any other fish you would suggest, I'd appriciate it.

Last edited by djtj at 05-Mar-2005 17:33

Personally, I prefer the look of opalines over dwarf gouramies. It's also in my experience that dwarf gouramies seem to be one of those fish that has "fallen from grace" and are now too mass-produced, causing them to have all kinds of weird ailments. Ignore me if you don't know what I'm talking about.

Clown loaches take a while to grow, but they get massive. 12" or more. What about yo-yo loaches? They're very attractive as well I like the look of them more than clowns.

I wish I even had a CHANCE of something larger than a 55g...but at this point, not happening. Lucky you!

I agree with the statement on the dwarf gouramis. I like opaline gouramis more as well. I'm not really sure why. Maybe it is because dwarf gouramis are so common. Maybe it is because I just want big fish for my big fishtank.

I don't think I explained myself on the loaches (darn English thing). I DO NOT want clowns. You hit the nail on the head with the yo yo loaches. That was what I was looking for. If you know anything about yo yo loaches, I'd appriciate it. I don't know anything about them, and I don't even think I've seen one. But, I like the sound of them.

"I wish I even had a CHANCE of something larger than a 55g...but at this point, not happening. Lucky you!"

Lucky me is right, but this took alot of work. I'm paying for everything myself. I've been saving for about 2 years now. I wasn't sure what I was gona buy with the money, until lately. Even now it's not enough. However, Easter and my B-day are coming up with some much needed green.

I'm still not exactly sure what size tank I'm buying. It all depends on where I'm moving. I might be moving in with my uncle, if that's the case then the only fish I'll be seeing is his overstocked 10 gallon goldfish tank. If I move to an apartment, then I'll have the whole place to fill up with tanks, if the landlord is ok with that.
Even then, I don't know how strong the floor is...

So, you see there is alot of factors that come into play. I might wind up with something as big as a 90 or a 120 gallon! (Maybe I'm exagerating a tad bit) Or, I could wind up with a 20. It all depends, although it looks like a 55 - 75 gallon is in the future.

BTW, if you cannot have bigger tanks because of space issues, try sticking the tank between a couch and the wall. You can get a stand that is just tall enough that only the tank sticks up. This would look great, and it would take up very little space (only pushing the couch out about 2ft.). I suggested it too my mom and she went from "Are you **** nuts" to "That's not a bad idea..." The only drawback is that you wouldn't be able to have a stand with cabinets and if you have a cat, there could be some trouble.