What Species Larger Than 3" Mature Can I Stock In A 55 Gallon Tank

[Canadian Fish]

I am a novice at this hobby, and this forum. Up until now we've just kept twin barred platies and julli corys in a 20 Gallon tank. We just bought a 200 Gallon tank that we are cycling.

As per my previous post, I would really like to try a Red Tailed Shark and I was wondering if I can keep the RTS, 2 Opaline Gouramis, and 7 Rosy Barbs together in the 55 Gallon tank?

However much of the info I'm getting back suggests with the RTS it is hit and miss if they will get along with other fish as they mature. So I am open to other suggestions.

Because we keep small fish in the 20 Gallon tank, i'd really like to keep most of the fish in the 55 Gallon tank to species that are at least 4" fully grown.

OR, if there is a species of fish that is 9 - 10" mature that I can use as a centrepiece for my tank, than I would be happy to stock the rest of the tank with smaller fish to complement the single large fish.

Any suggestions are greatly appreciated. We are excited to start stocking our new aquarium once it is cycled. The tank was a birthday present, I turn 37 today. Thanks!

 

[Canadian Fish]

That's a typo, we do not have a 200 gallon tank. We have a 55 gallon tank, but I'm also on a UK site and it's 200 litres.

 

[Wills]

Happy Birthday!

Your plan with the Shark and the Gourami could work but I would probably go with Ranibow Shark rather than the Red Tail they are a little more peaceful Be careful with the Gourami though as they are sometimes a little tough on each other if you get get them sexed 1 male and 2 females would be best - males have longer dorsal fins females have smaller rounded ones. You could probably add a little more to the tank. So far its a nice Asian tank so why not stick with fish from there so look at Asian Catfish like Bumblebees or there are a could of Loach species that would work though might not be 100% safe with the Shark... Panda Garas are quite nice

Or if you want to go down the big fish route - 9-10 inches is a little big but that said 55 gallons are commonly used as homes for Green Terrors with good success but this is as a wet pet which means they are the main inhabitant in the tank with fast or well armored fish with them. Beautiful fish and could be a viable option I think.

Wills

 

[deftuch]

barbs can be aggresive thats all im saying.

 

[moochy13]

a group of 7 rosy barbs will keep any aggression between themselves, a few more would be even better. the problem with a fish thats 9-10" is that quite a lot of them see anything that can fit in their mouths as food. you'll almost undoubtedly be looking at a big cichlid at that size, i cant think of anything else that big that you could consider a centrepiece fish. and as mentioend above, big cichlids usually require the tank to be stocked around them. platies will most probably end up as dinner, corys may or may not be ok.

 

[The Taffy Apple]

barbs can be aggresive thats all im saying.

Hint: Read what the more knowledgable hobbyists are saying before replying. That is all, as you were.

Terry.

 

[Canadian Fish]

a group of 7 rosy barbs will keep any aggression between themselves, a few more would be even better. the problem with a fish thats 9-10" is that quite a lot of them see anything that can fit in their mouths as food. you'll almost undoubtedly be looking at a big cichlid at that size, i cant think of anything else that big that you could consider a centrepiece fish. and as mentioend above, big cichlids usually require the tank to be stocked around them. platies will most probably end up as dinner, corys may or may not be ok.

The platies and corys are staying in their own tank. I only chose the Barbs and Gouramis for the new tank because I thought they might be compatible with the RTS. If I get a fish other than the RTS, I am completely open to suggestions on compatible tank mates.

 

[moochy13]

in that case, if you want something large, it might be a better idea to head over to the cichlid section, and more knowledgable people should be able to advise you on a large fish and suitable tankmates a bit better.