Setting Up A 55 Gallon For Cichlids?

[daniellenull]

I have a 55 gallon long tank with a marineland bio wheel and canister filter. All of our fish died about 3 months ago and I have just been keeping it full and running. I have Daphne growing like crazy keeping it clean and I have been just adding water as needed for now and maintaining like like I would if I had fish in there still.

I'm looking for advice on what Cichlids would work best in a community with this tank size. Colorful would be great. We have plenty of fake plants and hiding spots... I'm partial to JD's and Convicts but am unsure if they would do well together, or if I'm better off going for a discus, or even Angel Fish? They're all really pretty, but I would love to have a variety without stressing or over crowding them.

 

[onidrase]

Community tank? Like peaceful fish? Convicts and JD's are last on your list. Look at dwarf cichlids like rams and apistos, or angelfish and keyhole cichlids both come to mind for fish on the slightly larger side of the spectrum.

 

[fluttermoth]

Forgetting about stocking for a moment; if you haven't been adding an ammonia source in the three months the tank's been empty, you'll need to re-cycle it, as the filter bacteria will have died off, I'm afraid.

 

[theryzer]

I have an angel and a blue gourami in my 29 gallon who are best friends, always side by side, my angel even eats out of my hand! ive kept them with white clouds, black phantom tetras, and serpae tetras. the serpaes nipped my angel a bit so i removed them. my gourami is quite fascinating to watch with his little feelers. either my angel thinks hes a gourami or hes just friendly i do not know.

 

[Jay-93]

I'd go for maybe a Red Line apistogramma, or the Hongsloi species.

I'd love a pair of Hongsloi, but they're £20 for a pair at my LFS

 

[Jay-93]

I'd go for maybe a Red Line apistogramma, or the Hongsloi species.

I'd love a pair of Hongsloi, but they're £20 for a pair at my LFS

 

[Ruskull]

I'd add a pair of Kribensis when your tank is ready. Kribs supposedly go very well with German Blue Rams, Bolivian Gold Rams & Apistos. I have a plan for a future tank that includes all of those, very colorful fish.

Here's nice Krib pic:

Here's an Apisto: