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Hi, I have a 55 gallon planted community aquarium, and i would like to add some livebearers. Currently I have 2 3inch angels, 6 cardnial tetras, 3 2inch rams,3 2 inch clown loaches and 3 2 inch pristle nose plecos. I was wondering which type of livebearer you would recommend? I plan on putting the pregnate female in a 10 gallon heavily planted tank when i feel she is ready to give birth...thanks for you help

As far as the livebearers are concerned, you have enough room for whatever livebearer you want. I wouldn't go with guppys because the angels might pick on them. Platys or swords would be your best bet, and IMO swords are better. The only problem is, clown loaches need to be in a school and they get HUGE... a 55g isn't big enough to house a school of them. Maybe take them back to the LFS and get 3 or 4 kuhli loaches instead? Or if your aim is a bottom feeder that will eat any left over foods, look into 6-10 corys. They're cute, active and highly effective. Also, IMO you should take back one of the bristlenoses. Two in a 55g is questionable.

HTH

]<]Dani<]<

I'd go with swordtails. It would be great to watch these guys zoom around a large tank. My brother has two swordtails in a 10 gallon and while they do "fit in" the tank, IMO, they really should have much more room to swim.

Swords are cool but they can be nippy. If your Angels have alot of fin they might get picked on by the Swords. I'd go Platties or Mollies.

Have fun, Mike

I personally prefer platies but they do reproduce pretty quickly. We started out with 2F/2M when we got our first tank, a 10g. Didn't know what we were getting into then. Anyhow, fast forward to now... we don't remove the females to a different tank to give birth or anything like that anymore... and we still have quite a few survive in our 55g. So, expect to have a very full tank in no time. LOL. They are pretty neat looking tho, with so many different color variations-my fave is my yellow mickey mouse. Just my opinion.

Beth

I'd personally go with platies. The only difference is the male's sword so with platies you could have more because of their smaller size. Lots of colors and variations to choose from.

I also believe angels + guppies = trouble. I tried it once and my angel seemed to have a taste for guppy tail, wasn't a pretty sight.

bscal mentioned quick reproduction which is true but in your tank the rams and probably the angel will put a dent in fry control. IME platies eat their own fry as well.

I like livebearers, just don't forget to go with at least a ratio of 1M/2F.



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There is water at the bottom of the ocean

i personally like [font color="#008000"]dwarf platies[/font]. they are so cute!!!