55 Gallon - What Fish Should I Get?

[Ninjouzata]

Hello! I'm very new to fishkeeping as I've only had two bettas (in different,
and I'm sad to say, bowls). I had not done any research when I got them so I
know better now, though still sad I caused two beautiful fish to die.

I'm getting a 55 gallon for my birthday and would like to know what fish might be
good for me. I've checked the fish section of Petco and Petsmart to try and get
an idea of the level of experience needed and what size tanks they require,
sorry if the info is wrong. Obviously I wouldn't be keeping all of these in the
same tank but I'd like to know of ones any of you think I could take care of
with proper information and equipment, or any combination of them that can fit in the 55gal.

Not sure if it would effect what fish I should keep now but in the far future(8-10
years), I'd like to get a Black Ghost Knifefish. Wanted that to be known incase
it effects that, like maybe certain fish would be good for me to get experience
with to prepare myself for the future.

 

Here is my list so far of fish I'm interested in: [Beginner] Clown Loach, Kuhli Loach, Golden Dojo
Loach, Angelicus Botia (is this also a loach?), Ryukin Goldfish, Fantail
Goldfish, Moors Goldfish, Corydoras [Intermediate] Striped Peacock Eel, Fire
eel, Betta [Advanced] African Brown Knife.

Thanks for your help

 

[attibones]

The fish you get all depends on your water type. Have you tested the pH and general hardness of your water? Also take into consideration what sort of water temperature you want. If you don't want to fiddle much with a heater, goldfish would do very well in the tank. Some people do bio types, but I went with a more general tropical theme, focused loosely on South American fish. I also find it helpful to think about the fish that I really really want. I'd always wanted cichlids, for example, and chose appropriate species to suit my determination to have a cichlid (I eventually got dwarf cichlids). You've got some pretty good choices for fish here. It looks like you are really interested in eel types, but I have no experience with those.

I really recommend corydoras. I have had several shoals and I love them. They are peaceful and quirky and really just fun to watch. They do require sand substrate and fairly large groups (which I believe is the case with loaches, but I'm not positive). They do well with some betta fish, loaches, snails, shrimps, some cichlids, live bearing fish, etc.

You've named a lot of goldfish, which are actually pretty cool. Hey need colder waters though, so keeping them with nearly any of the other species you've listed is probably not going to work. You would have to keep that in mind. Personally, I love Ryukin goldfish. Hell, comet goldfish are great too. I actually used to breed them in my pond. They were about as long as my forearm and as thick.

How do you plan to cycle your tank? Have you considered live plants?

 

[Ninjouzata]

The fish you get all depends on your water type. Have you tested the pH and general hardness of your water? Also take into consideration what sort of water temperature you want. If you don't want to fiddle much with a heater, goldfish would do very well in the tank. Some people do bio types, but I went with a more general tropical theme, focused loosely on South American fish. I also find it helpful to think about the fish that I really really want. I'd always wanted cichlids, for example, and chose appropriate species to suit my determination to have a cichlid (I eventually got dwarf cichlids). You've got some pretty good choices for fish here. It looks like you are really interested in eel types, but I have no experience with those.

I really recommend corydoras. I have had several shoals and I love them. They are peaceful and quirky and really just fun to watch. They do require sand substrate and fairly large groups (which I believe is the case with loaches, but I'm not positive). They do well with some betta fish, loaches, snails, shrimps, some cichlids, live bearing fish, etc.

You've named a lot of goldfish, which are actually pretty cool. Hey need colder waters though, so keeping them with nearly any of the other species you've listed is probably not going to work. You would have to keep that in mind. Personally, I love Ryukin goldfish. Hell, comet goldfish are great too. I actually used to breed them in my pond. They were about as long as my forearm and as thick.

How do you plan to cycle your tank? Have you considered live plants?

Thanks for such a quick response! I don't even have the tank yet as my father is getting it from another family member while he's away this week. I figured it'd be best to know what fish I'm going to put in there so I know what the water needs to be like so I can get it ready for them. He said they're giving us all sorts of stuff with it which I believe a heater will be included and if not I will have him purchase one if I go with fish that require a heater. I don't mind fiddling with everything so long as I can get the information I need so I don't mess it up! Corys look adorable and I imagine I have enough room to get a fair few so they can be together. Yes, I was thinking of a halfmoon betta with some loaches or something but read that some loaches can be nippy. From what I've gathered the goldfish I want get rather large so I could only keep 2 (I think?) in a tank of this size, and was not planning on putting any of the other ones with them. That's fine with me, they're so beautiful. Those are some big fishies! Hehe. I plan on doing a fishless cycle.  I'd love to have live plants but not sure if I should since there are other things I have to take into consideration with them and as I stated I'm very new to fishkeeping. Thanks again!

 

[attibones]

Even though you haven't got the tank yet, you might take a sample of your tap water to get tested for any ammonia, the chlorine level, hardness and pH. This will help you decide. Really it's great that you're doing a fish less cycle. I'm doing two right now, and all I want is to stock the empty tanks. It is a test of patience.

You're probably right about only keeping two goldfish. One requires a minimum of 29 gallons, but you could be safe with two in a 55.

Depending on other species you have in the tank, a halfmoon betta would be fine, so long as the water flow isn't too severe. It might also need some floating caves (like decorated PVC pipes) which allow the betta to easily access the air from the top of the tank. Some barb species would do well with a betta. Many cories would be happy to share space with a betta. So long as any other fish do not have long fins and extremely bright colors (like guppies or long-finned danios), a betta should do well as a community fish in a tank of this size. You could even get an aquatic frog (perhaps the American dwarf frog). Or you could do a sorority with female bettas! These are super cool.

I'm just now getting into live plants myself, but really they are worth it. Amazon swords are easy to keep and look lovely. Mine are already sprouting and I've had them for about a week now. Ludwigia repens, anubius plants, java fern and java moss all look great and easy to care for. You'll just need to pick up a bottle of liquid fertilizer and add it with your weekly water changes.

 

[TallTree01]

Any knives get too large for a 55 gallon. So do clown loaches. So do comet goldfish. I personally would leave out the eels and get kuhli loaches instead.

 

[Lilfishy]

Some fish you've mentioned are coldwater & some are tropical so you know you can't have both together.
Clown loaches should be kept in groups of 5+ & grow too big for your tank as do fire eels & the black ghost
I'd do a little more research find out your water ph & post a list of possible tankmates here for advice

 

[Ninjouzata]

Even though you haven't got the tank yet, you might take a sample of your tap water to get tested for any ammonia, the chlorine level, hardness and pH. This will help you decide. Really it's great that you're doing a fish less cycle. I'm doing two right now, and all I want is to stock the empty tanks. It is a test of patience.

You're probably right about only keeping two goldfish. One requires a minimum of 29 gallons, but you could be safe with two in a 55.

Depending on other species you have in the tank, a halfmoon betta would be fine, so long as the water flow isn't too severe. It might also need some floating caves (like decorated PVC pipes) which allow the betta to easily access the air from the top of the tank. Some barb species would do well with a betta. Many cories would be happy to share space with a betta. So long as any other fish do not have long fins and extremely bright colors (like guppies or long-finned danios), a betta should do well as a community fish in a tank of this size. You could even get an aquatic frog (perhaps the American dwarf frog). Or you could do a sorority with female bettas! These are super cool.

I'm just now getting into live plants myself, but really they are worth it. Amazon swords are easy to keep and look lovely. Mine are already sprouting and I've had them for about a week now. Ludwigia repens, anubius plants, java fern and java moss all look great and easy to care for. You'll just need to pick up a bottle of liquid fertilizer and add it with your weekly water changes.

I would test it with the same kit used in testing my tanks water, right?

  Lovely! I'm sure it will be worth the wait I just don't want to cause any unnecessary harm to the fishies.  The filter is what determines the type of water flow, right? I need to get my dad to send me what type of stuff they have for that tank so people can get a better idea of what fish might be better for the tank, though I think I read I can baffle it or something so the flow wouldn't be too hard on a betta? So many things to think about. ^^' Couldn't the betta just swim to the top? I'll make sure not to fill the water up too high so he can get some air, if I do get one. But the pipes sound like a fun idea. I read somewhere (always reading something somewhere..) that barbs don't go too well with bettas but I think it was a certain type. >.< It feels shallow to say but the fish need to be visually appealing to me and barbs are not..I definitely like the cories with the betta idea though. Too cute! Don't certain fish do well or not so well with live plants?

 

[Ninjouzata]

Any knives get too large for a 55 gallon. So do clown loaches. So do comet goldfish. I personally would leave out the eels and get kuhli loaches instead.

No knives for this tank then! As much as I would adore one I kind of already figured on no knives and no fire eels though I just wanted to double check..still not sure on that peacock one, I will definitely look more into him, though you're probably right. Yep the loaches that I heard would possibly be okay with a betta were kuhli loaches and they look so neat! Thanks for responding

 

[attibones]

Whatever test kit you use for your tank water will suffice for your tap water (or whatever water source you are going to use). If your filter has a strong flow to it which creates a strong current, sometimes you can adjust the water flow (Marineland Penguins have intake controls), or I think it would be possible to adjust the flow by placing a small filter sponge over the intake tube. This is all based on the assumption that you will be using a hang-on-back filter. Most barbs do not get along well with bettas, as they are naturally nippy, but the cherry barb is a very peaceful and brightly colored barb which tends to stick mostly to itself. I have eight in my tank. I love them. Naturally, the males are more colorful, but sometimes you get one male who is extra bossy. I've only got one cherry barb who nips the other fish, but I think he's also getting ready to breed. 
 
Goldfish will pretty much destroy any live plants. Corydoras, betta fish, barbs, and cichlids absolutely love plants, particularly live. Live plants are also excellent choices to help absorb any extra nitrAtes. They also help control ammonia a little bit. Plus, they help add oxygen to the water which your fish need. Speaking of oxygen, the betta splendens has heavy fins which slow down their swimming. Usually they can make it to the top, but as they age, they may need assistance, hence the floating caves. They need to be closer to the top of the water so they can breathe. Gourami, also labyrinth fish, require oxygen like the betta, but their fins are much more streamlined, which makes it easier for them to get to the top of the tank.  

 

[Ninjouzata]

Some fish you've mentioned are coldwater & some are tropical so you know you can't have both together.
Clown loaches should be kept in groups of 5+ & grow too big for your tank as do fire eels & the black ghost
I'd do a little more research find out your water ph & post a list of possible tankmates here for advice

Ofcourse I wouldn't put them together, it's just a general list of the fish that I think are neat and so any opinions on which ones I should keep and any tankmates for those are very helpful. I can't get a kit right now, I will within a week I believe so I will definitely post that when I can. Thanks

Whatever test kit you use for your tank water will suffice for your tap water (or whatever water source you are going to use). If your filter has a strong flow to it which creates a strong current, sometimes you can adjust the water flow (Marineland Penguins have intake controls), or I think it would be possible to adjust the flow by placing a small filter sponge over the intake tube. This is all based on the assumption that you will be using a hang-on-back filter. Most barbs do not get along well with bettas, as they are naturally nippy, but the cherry barb is a very peaceful and brightly colored barb which tends to stick mostly to itself. I have eight in my tank. I love them. Naturally, the males are more colorful, but sometimes you get one male who is extra bossy. I've only got one cherry barb who nips the other fish, but I think he's also getting ready to breed. 
 
Goldfish will pretty much destroy any live plants. Corydoras, betta fish, barbs, and cichlids absolutely love plants, particularly live. Live plants are also excellent choices to help absorb any extra nitrAtes. They also help control ammonia a little bit. Plus, they help add oxygen to the water which your fish need. Speaking of oxygen, the betta splendens has heavy fins which slow down their swimming. Usually they can make it to the top, but as they age, they may need assistance, hence the floating caves. They need to be closer to the top of the water so they can breathe. Gourami, also labyrinth fish, require oxygen like the betta, but their fins are much more streamlined, which makes it easier for them to get to the top of the tank.  

Okay! Will definitely post that when I can.  Yeah, I'm not sure what kind of filter they have for the tank, I will try to find this out asap though. Hmm The betta that I want is blue with white fins so the cherry barbs might look nice in there with it as opposites.  Yes that's what I was thinking of about the live plants, the goldfish, but didn't want to say since I'm not very knowledgeable and could be remembering incorrectly. Live plants sound very helpful which is why I would like to have some, I just need some help with that part if I do end up not getting goldfish. Aww, poor guys, then I will most definitely need to make a couple of those caves if I get one! Yes gouramis though not on my list I do find quite pretty, glad to know they wouldn't have as much of a problem. I'm so happy with all these responses, I have this posted on 2 other forums, one has only gotten one response (saying not to get goldfish because they're filthy) and another got two responses from people who did not read what I wrote, hence why I bolded the one section, and someone else clarifying my post for them but not having much experience with the fish I'm interested in couldn't give me their opinion.

Sorry for so many posts, I just have so much to think about as I want whatever fish I get to be as happy and well taken care of as possible.  Most of the fish decorations I'm interested in I've read the reviews and people say the paint flecked off very easily. Is there some sort of coating I could put on those to preserve it and not hurt the fish?

 

[Lilfishy]

You're doing everything right by asking for advice.
Tbh & this is just my own opinion, I like tanks to look as natural as possible with wood or natural rocks & live plants, but each to his own

 

[Ninjouzata]

You're doing everything right by asking for advice.
Tbh & this is just my own opinion, I like tanks to look as natural as possible with wood or natural rocks & live plants, but each to his own

Thank you! I love the way the natural tanks look, but I can't resist the oriental decorations.

 

[frapadoodle]

First off, Weclome to the addiction.

Okay, if you go for goldfish, overfilter. Pretty fish, but waste factories.
Beware of making your mind up on bettas. I set out to get an orange veil tail, and brought home a red crown tail. As to floating caves for bettas, a 55gal. is a deep tank for a betta. And bettas need places to rest. Made a baffle from a cut down water bottle. My betta likes to swim through it.
I also reccomend cories, but also reccomend a sand substrate for them.
As to plants attibones has reccomended many good, easy plants.
I understand wanting fish that catch your eye, most of us start that way. I congratulate you on the desicion to fishless cycle, and to research.

On a side note, what part of Georgia ya in?

 

[Ninjouzata]

First off, Weclome to the addiction.

Okay, if you go for goldfish, overfilter. Pretty fish, but waste factories.
Beware of making your mind up on bettas. I set out to get an orange veil tail, and brought home a red crown tail. As to floating caves for bettas, a 55gal. is a deep tank for a betta. And bettas need places to rest. Made a baffle from a cut down water bottle. My betta likes to swim through it.
I also reccomend cories, but also reccomend a sand substrate for them.
As to plants attibones has reccomended many good, easy plants.
I understand wanting fish that catch your eye, most of us start that way. I congratulate you on the desicion to fishless cycle, and to research.

On a side note, what part of Georgia ya in?

Thankyou!
Yeah, most tanks I've seen that have goldfish have multiple filters Hah, oops! All bettas are pretty to me Sounds like a neat idea, if I get one I shall try that. Yep that is why I'm getting opinions so that if I do decide on say corys then I can get sand for them. Thanks again ^.^ Hehe I was just reading a post you had made about your corys breeding, I hope your hand is better now.  I'm in Maysville, which is about 10 mins away from Commerce, not sure if you'd have heard of either >.<

 

[frapadoodle]

Familiar with Maysville, and my in-lawslive in Commerce. Was wondering, to see if we could find something other than Petco and Petsmart for you. Got a Petland, Pet Supplies Plus, and an independent fish only shop in Athens. They are building a Petsmart, now the closest is in Bethlehem. The Closest Petco is down at the Mall of Georgia, which disgusted me last time I was there.
If all bettas are pretty, with a 55 you could set up a nice sorority.
Some other easy plants are Anacharis/elodea, hornwort, camboma, watersprite, and crypts. Though crypts and swords tend to melt before coming back.
As to pH, it is only a real concern for a few specific fish species. Just make sure you acclimate your fish before putting them in your tank.

Thank you, my hand is just about completely healed. The index finger doesn't bend fully nor straighten fully, and slight nerve damage in the second, meaning I lost some feeling in the finger tip. But they are still attached.