55 Gallon Stocking Help

[Kaitie09]

I recently purchased a 55 gallon after having a 20 gallon for the past 2 years. I'm looking for some help in stocking it.
 

• I'm planning to plant it and decorate it to look similar to a riverbed
• I really want to have different levels of community fish. I currently only have 6 neon tetras and one dwarf gourami in the 20 gallon while the other one is being set up.
• I'd like to have some colorful varieties, and have always been set on one day having an angelfish.
• I really want to stay away from live-bearers.

 
I'm really open to other suggestions though, this is my first opportunity to make a tank how I really want it to look, so I want to do it right. 

 

[Wills]

Hi Always exciting times getting bigger tanks
 
The main problem I can see so far is that the Dwarf Gourami and Angelfish rarely get on in tanks as they are both territorial fish and both inhabit the top third of the tank. The other problem is the Angels could also eat the Neons when they are adults...
 
So the choice is I supose is can you keep the current fish in the 20g? and start over in the 55?
 
Wills

 

[Byron]

Could you let us know your water parameters for the source water (presumably tap)?  GH (hardness) and pH.  These you can get from the water supply site, or if you have kits of course.  Some fish have preferences, others are more adaptable, so this will help us suggest possible fish species.
 
Angelfish are nice in a 55g, in a group of five.  A single fish can work, though it is not the best as this is a shoaling fish that lives in small groups.  
Tankmates have to be carefully chosen to avoid any fin nippers and keeping in mind that mature angelfish are large enough to eat small linear fish.
 
Riverbeds are nice aquascapes; I have a 90g river habitat and a 115g Amazon riverscape.  Another consideration has to do with swimming activity; many but not all river fish are good swimmers (the barbs and danios come to mind) which would not be the best with sedate angelfish.  When I set up these tanks, I always decide first on swimmers or sedate fish, and then stock with that in mind.  The fish in my 70g for example, which is a flooded Amazon forest tank, would not be happy in my 90g river habitat with the very active Congo tetra and Black Ruby Barbs, not to mention the group of Botia kubotai loaches.
 
Byron.
 
Edit, while I was busy typing, Wills posted with what was in the back of my mind too.

 

[Kaitie09]

It is well water. Not sure about GH, but calcium is 5ppm and magnesium is 6ppm , but I know PH is 5.4. 
 
I have thought about just selling off the whole 20 gallon with the fish and starting over. Are there any groups of bottom dwellers that would work with an angelfish? I had only gotten the tetras to help cycle the the first tank, and the gourami to add some color, so i'm not dead set on keeping them 

 

[noobgamers]

i would say if you want interesting fish then maybe a pair of angels not a mated pair just two individuals if one is aggressive return it angelfish are a very trial and error species and very very individual arguably the second most individual fish after betta(i can hear the oncoming mob of disagreement ) if you want a different fish in terms of bottom feeders maybe 12 khuli loaches if you want a larger very slightly boisterous fish then 8 yo yo loaches would work 12 of any corydoras would work.for mid tank 12 of any of these would work black phantom tetra,serpae tetra,pristella tetra,black widow tetra,cherry barbs,glass catfish,dwarf neon rainbowfish,harlequin rasbora 10 scissortail rasbora would work if you want a larger list i will happy to supply on request. for top feeders 10 danios of any type 12 hatchetfish, 10 halfbeaks would work (they are livebearers in all technicality but they aren't they aren't as easy to breed no long fins extravagant colors or overly active nature)

 

[Byron]

I would test the well water for GH, as this is actually more important than pH when it comes to the effect on fish.  But it is probably going to be on the soft side with a pH of 5.4 though not necessarily.  The API GH/KH liquid test kit is what I use, or you could take a water sample to a reliable fish store and they might test the GH; if they do, make sure to get the number so we know exactly what's what.
 
If the GH is soft or very soft, you have so many choices for a 55g, practically any fish from South America or SE Asia.
 
Think through the angelfish issue.  With respect to noobgamers suggestion, I do not advocate "trying" fish, these are living creatures and deserve better.  Experience tells us that in the vast majority of time two or three angelfish are not going to get along; two would if a mated pair.  Subjecting a fish to bullying and the resulting poor health and premature demise is not responsible in my opinion.  It doesn't take much effort to research fish and understand the best situation for them, and then either provide it or look to another species.
 
Byron.

 

[squidneh]

Another option would be to start out with 5-6 Angels, wait for two to pair off and then rehome the rest.  Just wanted to throw that out there. Then add some compatible tetras, and maybe some corys or kuhli loaches, maybe smaller type of pleco such as a BN, Clown, etc.

 

[stanleo]

For bottom dwellers, really any species of cory would do with angelfish. Get a large school, ten at least and they won't disappoint you.
 
I agree with Byron. When I was setting up my 55gl I was torn between gouramis and tetras for the stocking or rainbowfish for the stocking. I had to settle on the gouramis and tetras because my water turned out to be too soft for the rainbows. So I have gouramis, tetras, rasporas, an angelfish, and corys, all fish from South America and SE Asia. Its going really well so far but I do have to keep an eye on the angel and the gouramis. If they get too aggressive with each other, I have a 29gl I can set up to separate them.
 
If I was going to do the rainbows I was going to do 5 axelrodi, 5 bosemani, 10 psuedomugil blue eyes and 3 peacock gudgeon for the bottom dwellers. As I said though, that stocking list requires hard water and I didn't have it.
 
Good luck. Have you started a journal yet? Its a great way to keep track of everything you are doing.

 

[Kaitie09]

Thank you for all the continuing help. I figured out I do have soft water (2.60). No journal started yet, only because I haven't set anything up yet. I'm moving on Sunday to the new place, so will probably start setting everything up next week. 

 

[Kaitie09]

Okay, so I think I settled somewhat on stocking. I gave away the gourami, and I've come to the conclusion that I'm okay if the neon tetras get eaten. I know I want to include 2 angelfish (from the same tank at LFS), and after a period of time, a pair of german rams. I still want to have a group of schooling fish, so I'm thinking 10 Black Skirt Tetras. I'd also like to add apple snails as a clean up crew. How many would be ideal? 

 

[Gvilleguy]

 Knowing this forum like I do from years of reading it, your statement about being okay if tetras get eaten might get some feedback! I have angels with neons, so have already gone down that path. No problems so far. 

 

[Kaitie09]

I'm hoping they don't as I really like them. I have 3 medium sized pieces of driftwood with lots of little nooks to put in there, and am going to give them plenty of hiding spots with plants and rocks. Tried giving them to the person I gave the gourami to, but they didn't want them. 

 

[Byron]

I must step in.  Deliberately placing fish at risk like this is not responsible, please don't.
 
Two angelfish will have to be a mated pair, or they will not get along.  Individual fish can react a bit differently, true, but the fish is the way it is because nature made it that way, and we cannot force it to behave differently.  Angels must either be a small group, or a mated pair.
 
On the neons issue.  Even if they do not get eaten, they may still be under stress if the angels behave normally.  Fish release pheromones and allomones into the water and other fish read these chemical signals, and this can cause severe stress even though no physical interaction may be present.  This does take its toll on the fish, even though it may remain completely unseen by the aquarist.
 
Byron.

 

[Kaitie09]

I will actively search for a new home for the neons.