Other Fish To Have In My Tank

[arielsworld17974]

I currently have:
2 angelfish
2 catfish sharks
1 rainbow shark
1 pearl gourami

what other fish should I get. I have a 55 gallon tank. All the fish are not agressive except maybe my larger angel. He only chases a little.

 

[sawickib]

Can you clarify catfish sharks?
 
If the angels are a pair then you should be fine, but two males together isnt good long term, they should really be kept in groups of 6+, or a mated pair, but im not sure if  55 gallon is large enough for this.
 
What fish do you think you want in the tank?

 

[arielsworld17974]

They're Colombian catfish sharks. That's their name. They're catfish that are really silver and shiny like sharks would be.
I would like unique fish. Maybe colorful. Ones that get bug but not too big.

 

[arielsworld17974]

My 55 gallon seems plenty big enough for right now. They have all the space in the world right now.

 

[Byron]

I'm sorry to have to say that you have some very significant problems looming in the present aquarium.  The fish you have are in their youth at present, but they will grow--or should, at least, and that will be a very different thing.
 
Starting with the Colombian Shark Catfish which I will assume is the species Ariopsis seemanni.  This fish will attain close to a foot in length, is a very active swimmer so it needs at least an 8-foot tank, and on top of that is needs brackish water.  You can read this and more here:
http/www.seriouslyfish.com/species/ariopsis-seemanni/
This is one of those fish that should be prohibited or available only by special order.  The cute little silvery fish available in stores rarely have a good or anywhere-near normal life, sadly.
 
I agree with sawickib on the angels.  As they mature, angelfish usually (if they are healthy) exhibit their inherent behaviours and they can be rough fish.
 
The rainbow shark may be fine here, but other substrate fish will likely be out, as this fish considers its territory and does not like intruders.
 
Increasing the pearl gourami to a group of two males and three or four females would be a nice option in a 4-foot 55g tank, but without the angelfish and sharks.  One could build around this group, and they are a beautiful species.
 
Byron.

 

[arielsworld17974]

Well like I said it's plenty big enough for right now. We are totally planning on upgrading to a bigger tank eventually. But for right now it's fine. I don't know if we will end up keeping the cat sharks as they are super hyper. We just got them and unfortunately didn't do enough research.
I love my Angelfish though, kind of obsessed, so I don't plan on getting rid of them.

 

[Munroco]

Agree with the Pearl gouramis, very beautiful fish. Wishing I'd chosen them instead of angels. Although I love em, I have 2 pairs spawning atm and its chaos.

 

[Akasha72]

just my two-pennath on the angels as the rest are not a species I've kept...
 
When buying angels it is recommended that you buy at least 6 small angels together and then watch for a pairing and return 'the spares' to the lfs. As fish keepers we all know this isn't always ideal and doesn't always work out - in other words we mess up sometimes and have to make the best of a bad bunch.
 
I messed up with my angels - I bought one that I liked the look of and then another a few days later - the first one died leaving one alone and so I had to buy another and then angel number 2 died and I realised both had hexamita and now so did my tank. Angel 3 was left alone for 10 days and so adding angel 4 was difficult ... they accepted each other eventually though. Then I read about buy a group for pairing and realised I'd messed up and went a got two more. Then of course angels 3 and 4 turned out to be a male and female and they paired up. Angels 5 and 6 were also female and caused problems and so I had to break my own heart and get rid of the spare females. 
 
Whilst it is recommended that you buy 6 you need to buy them in one go not try to add them like I did. It's fraught with difficulties even at young ages as all cichlids are territorial and they soon start to defend that territory.
If ariel tries to add any more angels now she could be left with a fight on her hands and if the two existing angels are getting along then I would be tempted to leave things be and see what comes about. Another option would be contact the guy at the angelfish forum and ask him to sex them now - that way you know what you have and it's easy to make decisions now rather than much later on
 
Just my thoughts

 

[Byron]

Well like I said it's plenty big enough for right now. We are totally planning on upgrading to a bigger tank eventually. But for right now it's fine. I don't know if we will end up keeping the cat sharks as they are super hyper. We just got them and unfortunately didn't do enough research.
I love my Angelfish though, kind of obsessed, so I don't plan on getting rid of them.

 
I was afraid this would be your response.  Please understand I am trying to help you avoid problems and risking your fish, which is now about to occur.  As you just got them, you might be able to return the problematic fish, at least if the store is understanding and they should be if they are worth anything.
 
The Colombian sharks must go, unless you set up a brackish tank that is 8-feet in length.  The angelfish were covered by Akasha72.  I would also rehome the rainbow shark mainly because it is going to seriously limit other fish down the road.
 
As for the tank being OK now, it really is not OK, far from it.  Fish develop all their lives, and the space around them, plus the water parameters, are both crucial to this development.  Fish have inherent requirements and behaviours, and they need to develop these properly or they will have health issues and a shorter lifespan.  I'm sure you are like the rest of us, and care for fish and do not want to endanger their health.  Steps must be taken to deal with the issues before it is too late.  The brackish requirement for the Colombians is a major issue in itself.
 
You have learned the lesson of the need for research before acquiring any fish; this is something all good aquarists learn.  Fish are living creatures, and each species has specific needs that must be met or they are not going to be in good health, and that just isn't fair to the fish.  The two citations in my signature say it all.
 
Byron.

 

[sawickib]

 

Well like I said it's plenty big enough for right now. We are totally planning on upgrading to a bigger tank eventually. But for right now it's fine. I don't know if we will end up keeping the cat sharks as they are super hyper. We just got them and unfortunately didn't do enough research.
I love my Angelfish though, kind of obsessed, so I don't plan on getting rid of them.

 
I was afraid this would be your response.  Please understand I am trying to help you avoid problems and risking your fish, which is now about to occur.  As you just got them, you might be able to return the problematic fish, at least if the store is understanding and they should be if they are worth anything.
 
The Colombian sharks must go, unless you set up a brackish tank that is 8-feet in length.  The angelfish were covered by Akasha72.  I would also re-home the rainbow shark mainly because it is going to seriously limit other fish down the road.
 
As for the tank being OK now, it really is not OK, far from it.  Fish develop all their lives, and the space around them, plus the water parameters, are both crucial to this development.  Fish have inherent requirements and behaviors, and they need to develop these properly or they will have health issues and a shorter lifespan.  I'm sure you are like the rest of us, and care for fish and do not want to endanger their health.  Steps must be taken to deal with the issues before it is too late.  The brackish requirement for the Colombians is a major issue in itself.
 
You have learned the lesson of the need for research before acquiring any fish; this is something all good aquarists learn.  Fish are living creatures, and each species has specific needs that must be met or they are not going to be in good health, and that just isn't fair to the fish.  The two citations in my signature say it all.
 
Byron.
 

All good points, and also like to add on top of being brackish and getting big, the sharks need 72-77 degree waters as well, they are quite the specific fish.
 
To the OP we are really just trying to help you and your fish have a long and happy life, please dont take it as an assault on you.