57 Gallon Tank - What Fish To Buy?

[bodruz]

Hey guys, thought I'd try and get a little help as I'm pretty new to the tropical fish scene. Great forum by the way, I've learned a lot in the past day from reading other posts so thank you.

Ok so I've got a 4ft tank, calculated that it can hold around 57 gallons or 260 litres of water. I didn't know anything about fish compatability and have only learned about it from here. I've had gold fish in the tank for the past 2 years so it is cycled or whatever you call it. I've put a heater in and have completely cleaned the gravel at the bottom. I was thinking of changing to sand but for the moment I wanna focus on the fish and will work on the tank later. I haven't a clue about the P.H and all that.

At the moment I've got:

3 Bala Sharks
2 Tetras
4 Mollies
2 Platys
1 Male Betta
1 3" fish but I don't know what the hell it is

First question is are these guys compatible with each other? I've had them in the tank for about a month and they all seem to get along ok, no nipping and they all swim around the tank in a big group together, even the betta which I read might be a bit agressive.

Next question, I would like to get bigger fish. What sort of fish could I get that would fit in with the ones I have at the moment. If I need to give a couple of fish away I can give some back to my cousin.

If anyone wants to throw a little wisdom my way, go ahead.

 

[KittyKat]

First question is are these guys compatible with each other? I've had them in the tank for about a month and they all seem to get along ok, no nipping and they all swim around the tank in a big group together, even the betta which I read might be a bit agressive.

3 Bala sharks - the tank is too small for them and they are schooling (keep 6+), they will grow to 15+" if given the right environment, which a 4ft tank is not, should be kept in 6+*2*2 ft tank
2 tetras - schooling, prefer softer water usually
4 mollies - prefer harder water, keep at least two females per male or all males
2 platys - prefer harger water, keep at least two females per male or all males
1 male Betta - okish, generally prefer smaller tanks, but can live in a large one too, on occasion
1 3" fish but I don't know what the hell it is - find out what it is

Next question, I would like to get bigger fish. What sort of fish could I get that would fit in with the ones I have at the moment. If I need to give a couple of fish away I can give some back to my cousin.

Before you get any more fish, sort out your current stocking: the sharks need to go, the tetras should be upped to at least 6 of the same species and preferably more like 10-15.

Then, post your water parameters and a description of the decor.

 

[bodruz]

Cool. Thanks for that mate. As soon as my exams are over I'll get to work on sorting the fish out. How can I find out the water paremeters? should I buy a test kit?

At the moment only decor I've got in there are a few plastic plants and an ornament which has got fake coral over it. I'm looking to add some Bog Wood into it, just looking for a decent piece at the moment.

I also want to get some real plants. Can anyone recommend some plants that are easy for beginners to look after. Basically anything that doesn't need fertilizer or plant food.

Thanks again

 

[KittyKat]

How can I find out the water paremeters? should I buy a test kit?

If you're new to fishkeeping, I would definitely say "get your own liquid test kit", but if you're a broke student, many LFS will test the water for you for free, although a few will charge you 1 pound or so for it.

At the moment only decor I've got in there are a few plastic plants and an ornament which has got fake coral over it. I'm looking to add some Bog Wood into it, just looking for a decent piece at the moment.

Bogwood would do them much good (the tannins are beneficial to most fish as well, especially the tetras and Betta).

I also want to get some real plants. Can anyone recommend some plants that are easy for beginners to look after. Basically anything that doesn't need fertilizer or plant food.

Look at undemanding plants (labelled as "easy") on tropica.com.. what's your lighting like?

 

[bodruz]

Cool. I'll try and get a testing kit. I've got a Arcadia OTL light on top of it at the moment instead of a lid. Is this too much light for the fish? seems very bright but I like it lol

 

[eaglesaquarium]

A quick list of low-tech easy plants that I was given recently:

Anubias
Cryptocoryne
Java fern
Amazon sword


These plants shouldn't need much light (although they do better in higher light levels) and will grow slowly, without the aid of fertilizers, CO2, etc added.

The best thing you can do for your fish right now is to RESEARCH, RESEARCH, RESEARCH!!! Research is the best plan of attack right now. Make sure your tank size, decor, water parameters, etc. are all correct for your fish of choice and that they all can coexist happily - same temp requirements, acidity, activity levels, levels of aggression, etc.

You're off to a great start though!

(And... )

 

[KittyKat]

I've got a Arcadia OTL light on top of it at the moment instead of a lid. Is this too much light for the fish? seems very bright but I like it lol

What is the total wattage of all the bulbs? How long is it on for, per day?

 

[bodruz]

Sorry for the delay guys. There's two bulbs on the lighting unit, I think they're like 36 watts on each one so 72 watts in total. I have them on for around 4-5 hours per day.

I've bought some wood for it and a few plants. The fish seem a lot happier and are swimming around a lot more than before. One problem though, one of the plants that I've bought is getting eaten by the fish. There are little bits of the plant floating around the top.

Still haven't gotten round to buying a test kit yet. I've got 5 more tetras making it a total of 7, probably gonna go and get 5 more and I've given the sharks back to where I bought them from.

With regards to fish, I was speaking to a guy at the local aquatics shop and he said I could get gouramis, bolivian ram or german ram cichlids. I heard that cichlids were quite aggressive. What do you guys think?

Oh and thank you for the welcome and for all the help

 

[KkAaNnEe]

Some cichlids can be, but bolivians and GBRs aren't unless breeding, where they would only be aggressive to protect fry. GBRs are more sensitive, I just got a pair of bolivians and they're great

 

[KittyKat]

Pair or 4-6 Bolivians would work well (keep in mind 4 may have to go if a pair proves to be aggressive, once they pair up).

Gouramis.. depends on species and are NOT compatible with Betta.

What is the plant? Did you get those tetras IDed?

 

[bodruz]

Erm green plants lol, I haven't got a clue. One type is like long bits of grass, the other looks like a sword plant but I'm not 1005 sure if it is that.

I've noticed that after I've put the bogwood and plants in, the colours of the fish have become a bit more vibrant and with some colours have appeared in places where it was dull and grey. Is this a good thing?

Tetras are colombian tetras. I've got 7 of them now.

 

[KittyKat]

Erm green plants lol, I haven't got a clue. One type is like long bits of grass, the other looks like a sword plant but I'm not 1005 sure if it is that.

Look here: http/www.tropica.com/plants/plant-list-a-z.aspx

I've noticed that after I've put the bogwood and plants in, the colours of the fish have become a bit more vibrant and with some colours have appeared in places where it was dull and grey. Is this a good thing?

Tetras are colombian tetras. I've got 7 of them now.

Yes, better colour is better, it is to do with the plants and the bogwood (do experiment with more undemanding plants!), but also for the tetras, it will be to do with the fact that they're in a larger group now. If you can, it would be nice if you could fit another 3 in.. recap your current stocking?