Stock Recommendations

[bbrown152]

Hi. I'm new here and somewhat new to keeping. I was looking for suggestions for my 55 gallon freshwater. Currently I have 3 mono's, one lavendar gourami, and one dinosaur bichir (young/small). I'm a little worried as the dinosaur bichir and mono's can be/are on the agressive side. I'd rather understock, but would like some color. The tank is newly planted and has ecocomplete substrate with no co2. Thanks in advance...

Brandon

Just wanted to add...I just recently moved to a 10 gallon tank 5 (originally 10) zebra danios as my mono's were killing them one by one.

Brandon

 

[james_fish]

I believe Mono's require salt in their water as they grow older because they are a brackish fish, unless I am mistaken.

Edit: What are the dimensions of your tank Brandon?

James.

 

[always4lora]

I believe Mono's require salt in their water as they grow older because they are a brackish fish, unless I am mistaken.

Edit: What are the dimensions of your tank Brandon?

James.

Yup Mono's are brackish so they'd need to go.
Bichir's are generally not agressive, you'll most likely have senegal bichir which max at around 7 or 8 inch which will be fine in most 55galon tanks although id grab a picture so we can give you a proper id on it.

 

[bbrown152]

I'm not completely sure of the dimensions, i know it is 4' wide. It's a standard marineland 55.

I have read in several places that although the mono's are brackish, they can live in freshwater without salt successfully. I've also read that they may need moved to brackish conditions once grown, so I probably will move them once grown. For now though, I am going to leave them until I decide to add a larger tank and can convert my 55 to brackish water.

I will upload a picture of the bichir this afternoon after work, however, I am pretty positive from net research that the species you identify is correct. I got him from petsmart.

Thanks,
Brandon

Also, i'm a little confused on the bichir. Most of what i've read say they are predatory and aggressive to fish smaller than 3-4". Though, i have a friend who has one that is fully grown and she says hers is not aggressive. Confusing but awesome looking fish. His mouth and teeth make him appear mean.

Brandon

 

[bbrown152]

Suggestions??

 

[always4lora]

bichir's can be agressive but in whole they're fine with fish that are to big to be eaten. Thye do look agressive with the teeth but theyre mainly teeth for holding prey in place, they then can death roll the larger prey or manouvr the food for swallowing.