I am trying to figure out what fish to add to my new/old tank. This is a tank that I recently acquired that had a population of 2 silverdollars, 2 common algae eaters and one unknown black and orange guy I found his relatives at petsmart but just can't remember his name I know he is going to get about 6 inches long as an adult. I know that we are wanting to get 2 bala sharks as the central fish for our tank and was wondering what other semi-aggressive tropical fish would be good additions. I am feeding them Tetra Flakes and have given them blood worms once. Is this food ok or should I change to something different. Also what kinds of plants and tank decor should be present. My tank dimensions are 4ft long, 12 inches deep and about 18-20 inches high. My filtration system is a FS 30-60 TetraO model with a flow Rate of 330gph for aquarium sizes 30 to 60 galons and it uses Large Carbon Filters.
Stocking Help
- Thread starter ryanvb13
- Start date
Hi there welcome to the forum!!
Just so I can get a few things right from what you have said, this tank is second hand and you have just re set it up with the fish etc? If this is right it should mean your filters are still live and healthy.
At the moment it sounds like you have 2 silver dollars and a red tailed black shark. The silver dollars are large shoaling fish getting to between 6-8 inches each so ideally you need to add an other 2 Silver dollars so you have a group of 4.
Bala sharks again are a large schooling fish and are for big big tanks usually 6-7 foot plus in size as they each get to a foot long and are very active. A good alternative to these are Denison Barbs (bit more attractive IMO) but again these need groups and I think you should choose between these or the dollars as other wise your tank will fill up very quick.
The red tail black shark is a good fish for your tank, it can get a bit aggressive but should be okay depending on what you go with in your tank.
Your "common algae eaters" are they plecos? Or are they something different if you can get us a pic of something similar from the net we can help you out a bit more. The bad news is that most of the common algae eaters are quite bad aquarium inhabitants with things like the common plecos getting to over 12 inches very quickly which is wayyy to big for a standard 55g then you get the chinese algae eater which gets aggressive as it gets older and same goes for the golden algae eater however there are a few others that could work for example flying foxes or siamese algae eaters. Common names like "algae eaters" is used for tons and tons of fish that range between 2 inches and 2 foot.
The food you have is pretty good for them, if you inter space the feeding between the 2 types they should be quite happy. Though silver dollars are more of a vegetarian fish so would probably prefer the flake.
As for decor, what ever you like
I pack my tank out with branchy twiggy wood and smooth cobbles with valis which is a long reedy type plant. Other people put spongbob squarepants ornaments.
For fish ideas my tank is quite similar though a bit bigger than yours but similar fish could work in your tank have a look in my sig
Hope thats helped
Wills
Just so I can get a few things right from what you have said, this tank is second hand and you have just re set it up with the fish etc? If this is right it should mean your filters are still live and healthy.
At the moment it sounds like you have 2 silver dollars and a red tailed black shark. The silver dollars are large shoaling fish getting to between 6-8 inches each so ideally you need to add an other 2 Silver dollars so you have a group of 4.
Bala sharks again are a large schooling fish and are for big big tanks usually 6-7 foot plus in size as they each get to a foot long and are very active. A good alternative to these are Denison Barbs (bit more attractive IMO) but again these need groups and I think you should choose between these or the dollars as other wise your tank will fill up very quick.
The red tail black shark is a good fish for your tank, it can get a bit aggressive but should be okay depending on what you go with in your tank.
Your "common algae eaters" are they plecos? Or are they something different if you can get us a pic of something similar from the net we can help you out a bit more. The bad news is that most of the common algae eaters are quite bad aquarium inhabitants with things like the common plecos getting to over 12 inches very quickly which is wayyy to big for a standard 55g then you get the chinese algae eater which gets aggressive as it gets older and same goes for the golden algae eater however there are a few others that could work for example flying foxes or siamese algae eaters. Common names like "algae eaters" is used for tons and tons of fish that range between 2 inches and 2 foot.
The food you have is pretty good for them, if you inter space the feeding between the 2 types they should be quite happy. Though silver dollars are more of a vegetarian fish so would probably prefer the flake.
As for decor, what ever you like
I pack my tank out with branchy twiggy wood and smooth cobbles with valis which is a long reedy type plant. Other people put spongbob squarepants ornaments. For fish ideas my tank is quite similar though a bit bigger than yours but similar fish could work in your tank have a look in my sig
Hope thats helped
Wills
Here is a link to the type of algae eater that I have httpHi there welcome to the forum!!
Just so I can get a few things right from what you have said, this tank is second hand and you have just re set it up with the fish etc? If this is right it should mean your filters are still live and healthy.
At the moment it sounds like you have 2 silver dollars and a red tailed black shark. The silver dollars are large shoaling fish getting to between 6-8 inches each so ideally you need to add an other 2 Silver dollars so you have a group of 4.
Bala sharks again are a large schooling fish and are for big big tanks usually 6-7 foot plus in size as they each get to a foot long and are very active. A good alternative to these are Denison Barbs (bit more attractive IMO) but again these need groups and I think you should choose between these or the dollars as other wise your tank will fill up very quick.
The red tail black shark is a good fish for your tank, it can get a bit aggressive but should be okay depending on what you go with in your tank.
Your "common algae eaters" are they plecos? Or are they something different if you can get us a pic of something similar from the net we can help you out a bit more. The bad news is that most of the common algae eaters are quite bad aquarium inhabitants with things like the common plecos getting to over 12 inches very quickly which is wayyy to big for a standard 55g then you get the chinese algae eater which gets aggressive as it gets older and same goes for the golden algae eater however there are a few others that could work for example flying foxes or siamese algae eaters. Common names like "algae eaters" is used for tons and tons of fish that range between 2 inches and 2 foot.
The food you have is pretty good for them, if you inter space the feeding between the 2 types they should be quite happy. Though silver dollars are more of a vegetarian fish so would probably prefer the flake.
As for decor, what ever you like
For fish ideas my tank is quite similar though a bit bigger than yours but similar fish could work in your tank have a look in my sig
Hope thats helped
Wills
/www.liveaquaria.com/product/prod_display.cfm?c=830+1162+938&pcatid=938 I couldn't do a pic I have two of these guys. I will take a look at the type of fish that you have. I am now in a debate over the silver dollars. I may see if I can find a home for them. I love the idea of plants in the tank and I have heard with them it is almost impossible. So I may reconsider them.P.S. you are quite right on the algae eater from what I just read they do get quite big.
Ok, personally I'd rehome the dollars and depending what you eventually want to keep maybe everything else. Of course it all depends what fish you fall in love with and what you want to be looking at.
I think you will also need to look at your filtration, that filter is not very high turnover, I'd always recommend a large external filter for any tank over about 100l and rated for at least the next size aquarium (eg for 55g I'd look for a filter rated for 75g - more depending on stocking)
The black&orange guy, does it look like a typical fish or more like the algae eaters? If it looks like a typical fish I'm concerned it may be an Oscar? If it is a red-tailed-black-shark then it is fine whereas an Oscar will not be.
If you like Bala Sharks then you could consider some rainbows - they are shiny, colourful very active schooling fish that will suit a tank your size (there are many types look up bosemani as a start)
You have a decent size tank and are doing the right things by coming and asking on here - there are many many experienced fish keepers here who care about you enjoying healthy happy fish not about getting the money from your pocket.
Key thing - RESEARCH - look at fish - research again including asking here - then buy! Try to avoid impulse buys as usually they grow to around 3ft and eat all your other fish.... LOL
As for feeding your current fish, go for a veggie heavy diet - algae wafers, fresh veg such as peas, courgette, potato, lettuce and not too much protein for the dollars.
Good Luck!
I think you will also need to look at your filtration, that filter is not very high turnover, I'd always recommend a large external filter for any tank over about 100l and rated for at least the next size aquarium (eg for 55g I'd look for a filter rated for 75g - more depending on stocking)
The black&orange guy, does it look like a typical fish or more like the algae eaters? If it looks like a typical fish I'm concerned it may be an Oscar? If it is a red-tailed-black-shark then it is fine whereas an Oscar will not be.
If you like Bala Sharks then you could consider some rainbows - they are shiny, colourful very active schooling fish that will suit a tank your size (there are many types look up bosemani as a start)
You have a decent size tank and are doing the right things by coming and asking on here - there are many many experienced fish keepers here who care about you enjoying healthy happy fish not about getting the money from your pocket.
Key thing - RESEARCH - look at fish - research again including asking here - then buy! Try to avoid impulse buys as usually they grow to around 3ft and eat all your other fish.... LOL
As for feeding your current fish, go for a veggie heavy diet - algae wafers, fresh veg such as peas, courgette, potato, lettuce and not too much protein for the dollars.
Good Luck!
i finally found the guy I wasn't sure about what he was he is a black banded leporinus and it seems that they eat plants too. I would love to have a tank with beautiful healthy fish and beautiful healthy plants and it seems that I can't have both lol.
lol look like that is where I am headed.
Hi there!
IMO, the silver dollars you already have will get too big. We have some at work that are about 10 inches across. They also need to be kept in groups. If you rehome these, you'll have loads of new options and you won't need to worry about them having a reduced quality of life in your tank.
The banded leporinus will also get really big - up to a foot long! IMO, such big fish need 6 foot + tanks. This gives them plenty of swimming space. If he got big and stayed in your tank, it'd be like you living in a box and only being able to walk four or five paces before having to turn around. Boring, huh? Same goes for the bala sharks - they get really big and need to be kept in groups (3+).
The algae eaters should be fine, as long as you give them lots of caves and places to hide. They can be aggressive though, so if you overstock the tank you are more likely to get problems.
Other good fish for your tank would be:
Either a red-tailed black shark or a rainbow shark
Some larger shoaling fish such as tiger barbs or rainbows (nothing over about 3-4 inches)
Some relatively peaceful cichlids such kribensis
Some larger killifish (I like panchax)
You don't want any fish that gets bigger than about 8-9 inches.
Have a browse and see what you like.
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