How Many Fish In A 55 Gallon Tank?

[rachieew]

This is the fish tank I want:
http/www.allpondsolutions.co.uk/aquari…
It's going to have plenty of plants, some driftwood and rocks. I like aquascaping and like the idea of moss covering the floor of the tank. Warning, the numbers of fish I will mention are maximums that I thought might be nice. Totally understand if they're too much or too little. I like red cherry shrimps and ghost shrimps and want 5 of each. I also want a shoal of Neon Tetras, maybe 15? Really like Boesemani Rainbowfish, thought maybe 10? Have had platies before and would want 10 or more. Would like a Pleco but not one that grows too big, like the Golden Nugget Pleco, would only want 1. And maybe some Gouramis, the opaline or gold ones. I understand they can be aggressive, have always wanted some but not sure how many would work well in this tank with some of these fish. Some websites mentioned only having one Gourami, am fine with this. Open to suggestions and want to know if this would be overstocked or not, and if these fish would get along. Would a pleco still be able to eat algae with moss covering the bottom of the tank? Thanks and I'm only thinking about these fish, it's not set in stone

 

[Jenste]

If you go the platy route I suggest getting all males - any females and you will be over populated very quickly and you will have to have numerous females to keep the males from over pestering just one...best and easiest to stick with males.

Definitely stick with one Gourami unless you can pull off a trio of 1 male to 2 females and only if you can confirm the genders. One is easiest. Instead of a Gourami you could also check out an Angel as a centerpiece. If you do this though you would want to have Cardinals instead of Neons as they a bigger and won't become angelfood.

You can also look into a pair of rams or kribensis for a bit more color and activity.

 

[eaglesaquarium]

The pleco would be fine with a moss covered bottom... Plecos need some wood in the tank for their digestion. I love my BN pleco. Since I added him, I haven't seen a speck of algae since. Before that algae was a nuisance, but not a concern. Since I added him, the algae has been completely under control, and I've had to feed him supplemental algae wafers regularly.


Rainbowfish are tremendously active swimmers. That tank might be a bit short for Boesemani, but Dwarf Neon Rainbowfish (aka Praecox) may be better suited. The Boesemani could work, but may not be ideal.


I didn't see a mention of angelfish, so neon tetras would be fine in a shoal the size you mentioned, and should be fine with all the fish, except possibly the gourami. A dwarf gourami, or a group of sparkling gouramis would work well. A pearl or three spot gourami, might also, but it would be a risk, I think. I don't have experience with those other gouramis, but they get larger and many times, a fish will eat any fish small enough (like a neon) to fit in its mouth.

 

[rachieew]

Looked up the Kribensis and they're amazing, might not get a gourami if they'll possibly cause a problem, thanks for your help

 

[eaglesaquarium]

Kribs can be quite territorial, especially when breeding. Make sure to not mix those with the most peaceful varieties of fish.

 

[rachieew]

Was thinking of only one female after some research, do you think that would be okay?

 

[eaglesaquarium]

It could very well be fine. I think an apistogramma might be better, they are far less aggressive, even when breeding.

 

[rachieew]

Okay, thankyou for your help