WHOO!!!

[lizard]

4-6 clown loaches
4-6 bala sharks
1 rtbs
? swords

I was under the impression that if you had more than one or two Bala Sharks you needed a tank that was much bigger than 55 gallons. I also thought that RTBS's tended to get aggressive. Now, I haven't had either of those fish before, so I don't know, but I wanted to mention the possibilities. I'd hate for you to get the fish and then end up with problems - that wouldn't be any good Perhaps someone can tell me (and you) whether or not my impressions are correct.

Sorry to hear about your Cory fry, by the way Very sad.

Pamela
aka Married Lizard

 

[TorPeteO]

If you do decide to get otos, as guppylover suggested (and it was a good suggestion, they're great fish), I would recommend getting 4 or more of them. They like being in groups, similar to corydoras, so 2 would be too few, 3 would be juuuuuuuust enough, and 4 would make them happier.

Also, if you get them, make sure the tank is cycled before you put them in. They are usually wild-caught, and pretty delicate from transit (and the catching process, which usually involves cyanide to stun them and ease harvesting).

If you don't go with a fishless cycle, swords are hardy and good for cycling, although 3 swords would not cycle a 55 gallon tank very fast. You could get a few less sharks and a lot more swords, if you wanted to. Plus, then you get the joy of a self-sustaining colony of swordtails.

 

[kevin007]

If you do decide to get otos, as guppylover suggested (and it was a good suggestion, they're great fish), I would recommend getting 4 or more of them. They like being in groups, similar to corydoras, so 2 would be too few, 3 would be juuuuuuuust enough, and 4 would make them happier.

Also, if you get them, make sure the tank is cycled before you put them in. They are usually wild-caught, and pretty delicate from transit (and the catching process, which usually involves cyanide to stun them and ease harvesting).

If you don't go with a fishless cycle, swords are hardy and good for cycling, although 3 swords would not cycle a 55 gallon tank very fast. You could get a few less sharks and a lot more swords, if you wanted to. Plus, then you get the joy of a self-sustaining colony of swordtails.

hmmm i beleive using my 2 100 gph filter should do it, i will use it for 1 week. or is 1 100gph good enough?

i will also add the 3 sword after a week of cycling

then balas, even though they will get big, i will get a bigger tank soon, like 200 gallon.

then i'll add the clown loaches and i don't think i will get the ottos because of my rtbs, yes they are agressive but i beleive the tank is good enough and my clowns move very fast and balas swims at the top there fore no conflit? i am not sure.

i was thinking on britlenose plecs..

i also add rtbs last because it is agressive

and rtbs is kinda chosen by my family members, i dont like it that much tho

 

[Hooligan]

You need to get an odd number of clown loaches three or something are you getting big clown loaches or small ones. I think the small ones are cuter and more playful

 

[kevin007]

You need to get an odd number of clown loaches three or something are you getting big clown loaches or small ones.  I think the small ones are cuter and more playful

why odd numbers?

just wonderin and this is what i plan

5 Clown Loaches (big or small)
5 Bala Sharks
3 Swords
1 BN plec

So this is ok? if it is, it's staying this way..yall have no idea how exciting this is to me!

 

[kevin007]

oh i have another question, clowns and balas are prong to ick? are they? i heard that they are....but i think the water params will be very stable in a 55 gallon so no ick will occure?

 

[Aquascaper]

Clown loaches get to around 8" so that's 40" of fish (5 x 8), Bala sharks get to around 13" so that's 65" (5 x 13), Swordtails get to around 4" so that's 12" (3 x 4)and then you have a plec which will get to around 12" (if you want large fish).

Using the old 1" per 1 gallon guide you're looking at 129" of fish = 129g, even by stretching it to 2" per gallon you're still looking at 64" of fish = 64g

and you want to fit them all in a 55g

sorry to burst you're bubble but the maths don't work

 

[SneakBetta]

It looks like some tanks that you have now are wAY over crowded. Maybe you could figure out a way to move some of the fish from other tanks into that new tank.

 

[lucky62]

Clown loaches get to around 8" so that's 40" of fish (5 x 8), Bala sharks get to around 13" so that's 65" (5 x 13), Swordtails get to around 4" so that's 12" (3 x 4)and then you have a plec which will get to around 12" (if you want large fish).

Using the old 1" per 1 gallon guide you're looking at 129" of fish = 129g, even by stretching it to 2" per gallon you're still looking at 64" of fish = 64g

and you want to fit them all in a 55g

sorry to burst you're bubble but the maths don't work

you da man .

I was looking to see if anyone would anwer the first question[ about the tank size , you did and the others , very well I might add .

that is alot of fish

 

[lucky62]

You have 1340 posts on the website and you cant answer this question......What have you been posting?

the number of posts a person has does not mean that they know very much about fish keeping , it can , but like kevin said he's posting to learn .

 

[kevin007]

i will upgrade to a 200 gallon tank in 2 years........and i just havn't update my sig in 6 months......and i asked if it was ok for the fish in the 10 gallon EVERYONE said it was fine >.>

 

[kevin007]

Clown loaches get to around 8" so that's 40" of fish (5 x 8), Bala sharks get to around 13" so that's 65" (5 x 13), Swordtails get to around 4" so that's 12" (3 x 4)and then you have a plec which will get to around 12" (if you want large fish).

Using the old 1" per 1 gallon guide you're looking at 129" of fish = 129g, even by stretching it to 2" per gallon you're still looking at 64" of fish = 64g

and you want to fit them all in a 55g 

sorry to burst you're bubble but the maths don't work 

I am afraid u have been mistaken, read my first question, i ask what is the best combination of what to put in the tank using these fish..........and then some one suggesting that i can keep that many fish

EDIT clown loaches get to 12 " not 8

EDIT 2: i also said i want a bnose plec

 

[kevin007]

You need to get an odd number of clown loaches three or something are you getting big clown loaches or small ones.  I think the small ones are cuter and more playful

why odd numbers?

just wonderin and this is what i plan

5 Clown Loaches (big or small)
5 Bala Sharks
3 Swords
1 BN plec

So this is ok? if it is, it's staying this way..yall have no idea how exciting this is to me!

NOTICE: i said is it ok so my bubles were never burst

 

[digital_run]

Bala sharks are not suitable for a 55 gal tank.

 

[kevin007]

Bala sharks are not suitable for a 55 gal tank.

and u think clown loaches are? they should grow to the same size according to my books