Stocking Suggestions

[cuticom]

Well I've been mentally rearranging my tanks, and have worked out a way to empty my latest 55g, so I can restock it, with some mildly more interesting fish then the peaceful community I have currently.

So the tank, It's a 55g, it has no lid, I repeat no lid, so fish that are well known jumpers cannot be stocked. It has a heater, good filtration and a mega air pump so its got plenty of current, though it can be turned down.

Current stock is a couple of goldfish and 3 guppies, which will be moved out.

I like oddballs and fish with personality, I would go for cichlids, but I'm pretty sure most would be on the floor in minutes.

So any suggestions? or just ideas, I have no idea what I want LOL.

 

[CPQ]

Black ghost knife fish!

The one in my lfs will eat out of the staff's hands!!! CUTE!

 

[Matty P]

How about some sort of puffer?

 

[cuticom]

No puffers available in Aus, well there is but they get massive and need marine.

I've actually been considering a BGK, from what I've read a 55 would be fine for a couple of years, and if by then it has grown (our LFS seems to stunt all their fish) and it's a healthy specimen, I'd be happy to upgrade to a larger tank.

 

[roseK]

get... a big eel type thing

 

[CPQ]

my lfs said 4 foot is a good size until they get quite big! And I've also heard reports that a BGK can get on pretty well with most things (except teeny little mouth-sized fishies) so it wouldn't overly limit your options of tank mates.

 

[Tokis-Phoenix]

Hmm...


The problem with the 55gal having no lid, most fish which can fit in a 55gal are not that big, and most small to medium sized fish in the wild are prey for other fish- for many such fish, jumping is a way of avoiding predators, and so essentially all such fish have the ability to jump out of the tank if things go wrong like something spooks them in the tank etc.
Another thing is that it only takes one small insect to buss near the surface of the water for fish in the tank to have a go at leaping out of the water and catching it, which can end up with the fish finding itself on the carpet- many betta's for example end up dying this way when their owners don't put lids on their tanks.

You have a 55gallon tank- a lot of fish can go in such a tank, however most of these fish will be off-limits because the tank has no lid to keep the fish safe. My advice would be to at least get something like a condensation tray/plastic sheet to go on top of the tank to help prevent any fish from jumping out of the tank.

So i would definately advise getting some sort of lid on the tank. If you do, you could get some really awesome and beautiful oddball or generally more unusual fish like african butterfly fish;

http/www.fishforums.net/index.php?showtopic=34968

Or Boesemani Rainbowfish;

http/www.fishforums.net/index.php?showtopic=128699


You should check out the forums own fish index, they have a large fish profile section for african cichlids alone for example;

http/www.fishforums.net/index.php?showforum=41



What are the exact dimensions/measurements of the tank? Is the tank doing to be sparsely planted, medium planted, or very planted? Gentle, medium or strong filtration? What sort of decor? Sand or gravel substrate? Any lighting? Do you want an action packed community full of lively active fish zipping about everywhere, or something more laid back with fish like some chilled out predators etc?

Need more info on your tank and situation etc for us to really give you any serious stocking suggestions- and again, i'd definately advise getting some sort of a lid for the tank, even if its just a clear plastic tray.

Also, have you considered non-fish aquatic creatures, like crabs, crayfish/lobsters, shrimp, frogs and other amphibians etc? Those may also be something for you to consider (take into consideration though, that most crayfish/lobsters and crabs are predatory etc).

 

[cuticom]

I have other species only tanks for my inverts, I want fish in this tank.

If a lid is needed, I can always gladwrap the top, though I'd rather not. Current, filtration, heating can all be changed to meet the needs of the fish, as can the substrate and decorations, I've got plenty of stuff spare. Only thing thats definite is no lighting, I prefer algae free tanks thanks, and plus its $100 for even some really low lighting, so I never bother. There is java moss but that can be moved as well.

I'm definitely leaning towards a BGK, African Butterfly fish are awesome, but way out of my price range, I'm not paying $50 for a fish I'm not certain I can care for correctly....

BGK's, are expensive but still a lot cheaper then butterfly fish, and I could add an Angel, and when it gets bigger and becomes more of a centrepiece I can always move the angel to another tank.

Also if the fish does grow up, I can always upgrade the tank after a couple of years.

 

[Yetti]

So you would not be able to find a piece of plastic, glass, acrylic or any other material to just use as a lid?

 

[cuticom]

No, we don't have anything at home, and a glass or acrylic lid would cost more then the whole tank did, I'm broke as is.

 

[murphyk32]

only thing i can suggest is wait and be patient... and then make a lid, even if it is with wood and you paint it or leave it or whatever,, or wait untill you can afford something, because if your going through all of this trouble for more interesting fish theres no reason to limit yourself because you cant have a lid on the tank. You mentioned cichlids,, well get them... just be patient and it will be worth it in the end.

Murph

 

[cuticom]

Sorry I should have explained it better, I don't want a lid, I like open top tanks, and am perfectly aware it restricts me, plus the tank is a DIY tank, and doesn't have anything to put a lid on.

I'm perfectly happy to use the tank without a lid. and would rather use it without a lid.

 

[cuticom]

Okay so I've worked out 3 choices so far

1. A single Black Ghost Knife fish and an angel, the angel would be moved as the BGK grew, and the BGK would eventually be upgraded to a larger tank
2. Goldfish community with 4-5 goldies, and a few cories to scavenge uneaten food
3. A single goldfish, with two schools of some sort of small fish and 10 cories.

The goldfish would obviously be fancy varieties, not single tails.

 

[znk]

I have a 75 gallon tank with african Cichlids and they dont jump. They prefer to stay near the bottom and rocks.
I have a 77 gallon with rainbow fish and I highly recommend them. Active and colorful fish. But they might jump...not sure. My 77 gallon I just got and I dont have a top on it right now so I left the water 3 inches from the top.

This is not my tank. But this is what a rainbowfish tank looks like.
http/www.youtube.com/watch?v=PkBvGRLSlRg

 

[Yetti]

The Rainbowfish will jump.