55 Gallon Stocking

[Skiba]

In the near future - next 2-3 months - I'm getting a 55 gal (US gallons) tank in addition to my 20. I'm trying to decide on what to stock it with, here's what I have so far:

1-2 Angelfish (I've never kept them and want to try. Would I be better off with just one?)
2 Opaline/Gold Gouarmis (Male and female)
11 Bloodfin Tetras
Bristlenose Pleco (He/she's currently in my 20 gal, barely getting it's bristles )
Rainbow Shark (Also currently in my 20 gal that is WAY too small for the poor fish. I know I'd be better off without him, but he was my first fish and has lived through my 'learning'. He's 1.5 years old at around 5in, I kinda have an attachment. He also has gorgeous coloring :] )


I've been told the Angel will eat the tetras and that I should try a bigger species. I really want to try it with the Bloodfins though, what should I do?
Also, what is your take on mixing Angels and Gouramis? I've seen it done and have mixed views.

Has anyone tried these combinations?

My 20 gal is planted and the 55 will be as well.


What do you think of my choices so far? I still have a while to plan this out, so your advice is greatly appreciated. Half the fun is planning out the tank :]


- Kayt



Edit: I'm also thinking of getting either 3 gouramis (male and two females) or a few angels instead of attempting to mix.

 

[KittyKat]

I used to have a 3ft 55 gallon when I first attempted to keep angels. I found the tank not big enough, so my recommendations nowadays are for at least a 4ft tank, preferably 5-6ft tank. I also found that angels do best in groups of 6+, but the alternative to that is 1 or pair, as you want.

The gouramis are a nice option, but again, they are another species which I would only recommend for tanks starting at 4ft: in a smaller tank, they are considerably more likely to kill each other, and they do grow to 6", so need the space. 1m 2f is a good combination for larger tanks. For a 3ft tank, I would recommend 1m 2-3f dwarf gouramis or 1m 3-6f honey gouramis.

I would also go for at least 15 bloodfin tetras, and more like 20-25, if I could. They should not be eaten by angels, unless you bought fully grown adult angels and baby tetras

I would not mix angels and gouramis in a tank that small, but I think it would work in larger tanks without problems.

 

[Skiba]

Thanks! I am planning on a 4ft 55 gal, and I'm leaning more towards Gouramis. Dwarf or 6" ones, I'm not sure of yet. I will definitely plan on getting more Bloodfins, you can never have too big a school!

 

[mislisa]

corys would be a fun addition to your tank as well.... i love those guys!

 

[Skiba]

Okay, so I've done a bit more research and have decided on either Banded or Pearl Gouramis. I like the bigger (4-6 in.) variety better than the dwarf ones. My question now is how many should I get? One male and two-three females?

 

[Skiba]

Ooookay, I think I'm decided. I'm going to get Pearl Gouramis, one male and three females. I may also add more Bloodfins, depending on how everything works out. My LFS doesn't carry Pearls, so I'll be ordering online. Does anyone know of a good, reliable site?

 

[eaglesaquarium]

Ooookay, I think I'm decided. I'm going to get Pearl Gouramis, one male and three females. I may also add more Bloodfins, depending on how everything works out. My LFS doesn't carry Pearls, so I'll be ordering online. Does anyone know of a good, reliable site?

liveaquaria is one that I've heard great things about. I've never ordered from them, but a good friend of them only has two online suppliers he uses. This is one of them. The other is salfwaterfish.com.

 

[KittyKat]

Depends where you are, Trimar in UK are good.