55 Gallon Community Tank, Rope Fish....?

[DarkSoul]

Im setting up a 55 Gallon tank right now, and im still weeks away from putting any fish in it yet, nor have i even begun cycling the tank yet.

However, i am considering what kind of fish i want to put in it.

I used to have a 20 Gallon tank when i was like 15 and had some neon and cardinal tetras, a betta, some angels, cpl plecos, cpl snails, and a rope fish.

Well due to a malfunction my fish boiled one day when i was out..... it still makes me want to cry.

anyway, in this tank these fish all lived peacefully, that is except for my neon tetras who made a nice light snack for the ropfish every now and then..... but only these ones.

now ive been considering getting a ropefish again for this tank, but have been reading some stuff which seems to go against what little i do know from experience.

Ropefish get big this i know, when i had one before though it didnt seem to grow very fast (was a small tank though) and before it died, about 2 months after the purchase, it still seemed very happy, healthy and with no problems trying to escape.

But now i read that 3 must be kept together, that the ygrow really fast and have alot of requirements.

Could someone give advice? I love these fish, they are so majestic and amazing.

I was thinking of getting much the same kinds of fish as i had before.

I want to get some angels(4? 6?), a betta, maybe 4 plecos (yes i know they get big too) and a few other colourful fish.

Opinions?

Thanks.

 

[BettaBum873]

Rope fish do better in larger groups, and larger tanks. While he seemed happy and healthy in the 20 gallon, it would not have been ideal for him. Keeping him in such a small tank would cause him to stunt his growth. While he would be healthier in the 55 gallon, being alone would cause him to hide a lot, become timid, and generally not be nearly as active as he would be with other fish of his species. If you want to get into some more unique fish, possibly a glass or african knife fish. Your 55 gallon may also look nice with some gouramis or new world chiclids, they get bigger and are very pretty to look at. If you do decide to get the rope fish do not put any fish under 3-4 inches in with it or they will become a snack. Hope I helped

 

[DarkSoul]

trust me i know all about the "small snacks"

I realize now, that having the ropefish back then was probably not such a good idea.

i know a bit more now, and if i decide to get one, i would probably get two.
Im already in the process of saving for a 150 Gallon tank, which would also require another hood and filter, i may just build a stand myself.
but, this a little ways off. right now im setting this one up, and just considering types of fish to buy.
The ropfish is just such a cool fish though, i would love to have one and see it/help it grow large and heatlhy, they're so fun to watch too.

but yeah i have a few more things to get still plus cycling the tank before i add the fish

 

[SMD]

hm bettas prefer to be a 'dominant' fish from what i have heard for the past few days...just be careful as tetras can nip their fins and other colourful fish such as angel or gouramis can be a potential threat to a bettas as there is competition in colour and bettas always want to have the center of attention