Dreaming Of The Fish For My 55 Gallon...

[wendywc]

Right now here are they primary contenders for the 55 gallon tank; 48" X 12" X 22"
- 6 boesemani rainbows
- 6 cardinal tetras or possibly a different group of tetras
- 5 otos
- 5 angelicus loaches
- 1 syno ocellifer catfish

I'm thinking of dropping the one syno, because I heard they'd rather be in groups. But then what could be a good single/loner fish I could add to the mix?

What do you think of this combo of fish??

 

[diademhill]

The Syno would eat cardinals & might be rarely seen. The botia kubotai would be fine. Boesemani rainbows need a bigger tank - they get to half the tank's width and need swimming/turning space! What about Congo Tetras instead which swim lower leaving the upper levels for a pair of pearl gouramis?
What are you going to use to mature the tank after cycling?

 

[wendywc]

So no on any kind of rainbows? I'm not a fan of gouramis; I'm open to any other types of tetras though. Is there a group of tetras more compatible with a syno? And is one single syno okay?

EDIT: You're right about the boesemani rainbows. The info I saw on this page is wrong; it gives a smaller maximum size and minimum tank size. http/www.liveaquaria.com/product/prod_Di...cfm?pCatId=1053 But my book supports what you're saying. Praecox/neon rainbows are smaller and looks to be more appropriate for my tank though. I think I'll change the lineup to this.

- 6 praecox rainbows
- 6 bleeding heart tetras -- although this could be another group
- 5 otos
- 5 angelicus loaches
- 1 ???

 

[diademhill]

So no on any king of rainbows? I'm not a fan of gouramis; I'm open to any other types of tetras though. Is there a group of tetras more compatible with a syno? And is one single syno okay?

The smaller rainbows would be ok but Praecox might be smaller than you want - there are some that get to 4" which would fit better than the larger Boesemani.
That syno would make short work of even congo tetras as an adult & otos would get munched. There are some synos that might fit in though but I think once you've had the botias the more sedentary synos may loose their appeal.
If you want a syno I would consider a shoal of clown barbs rather than tetras.
The choices are endless but remember your tank is only 11" wide internally & fish have to turn around. Most Synos will eat any fish that fit in their mouths and are nocturnal so you have a tank designed around a fish that is rarely seen.

 

[wendywc]

Thanks! I don't need to have a syno and I especially don't want to jeopardize any other fish. So any recommendations for something else. Is there such a thing as a fish that's happy to be the only one in the tank (besides plecos or bettas)? Or if not a loner fish, any suggestions on another school (if I have room) would be appreciated.

 

[Captain Retardo]

a loner fish that i like is the Siamese Flying Fox, or just the Flying Fox (their different). I dont know how they would do with your planned setup though.