55 Gallon Stocking

[EpicFish73]

Hi Forums,

I had this idea to setup a new 55 gallon "cichlid" tank, with these fish in the tank:

Panda Cory - 12
Amano Shrimp - 2
Dwarf Cockatoo Apistogramma - 2
Blue King Tetra - 24
Bolivian Ram - 6
Marble Angelfish - 2
 

It's not 100% cichlid, more of a community tank, but the majority of fish are cichlids, so I'm calling a "cichlid" community tank. Could you give me some insight on if this tank seems suitable on paper, because obviously cichlids are SO unpredictable.

 

Thanks!

[FrozenFins]

I would do instead of 6 Bolivian Rams, 3 Bolivian Rams, 3 German Blue Rams. But thats only because I love GBRs

[EpicFish73]

22 minutes ago, James Black said:

I would do instead of 6 Bolivian Rams, 3 Bolivian Rams, 3 German Blue Rams. But thats only because I love GBRs

I could probably try it, I just think that GBRs as quite expensive at my LFS, but I probably could make the drive to Aquarium Coop, it's like 1 hour away from me.

[IanB]

I like most of your original stocking. I don't think GBR's are a good idea with panda cories as the GBR's like temps in the 80s (see https://www.aquariumcoop.com/blogs/aquarium/ram-cichlid-care-guide) while pandas like mid-70s (see, for example, https://www.aquariumcoop.com/blogs/aquarium/20-gallon-fish). That being said, your easiest tweak would likely be swapping out the panda cories for a smaller school (6? since they are larger than the pandas) of something like sterbai cories and running the tank at 80 F or so. That would keep the rams, angels, and Apistos happy and the tetras would probably be fine.

 

[FrozenFins]

14 minutes ago, IanB said:

I like most of your original stocking. I don't think GBR's are a good idea with panda cories as the GBR's like temps in the 80s (see https://www.aquariumcoop.com/blogs/aquarium/ram-cichlid-care-guide) while pandas like mid-70s (see, for example, https://www.aquariumcoop.com/blogs/aquarium/20-gallon-fish). That being said, your easiest tweak would likely be swapping out the panda cories for a smaller school (6? since they are larger than the pandas) of something like sterbai cories and running the tank at 80 F or so. That would keep the rams, angels, and Apistos happy and the tetras would probably be fine.

 

true. @EpicFish73You shouldn't do panda corys because these cichlids will thrive in a tempteture like 80F. Do sterbais instead or another type of cory.

[EpicFish73]

@James Black Could I keep maybe some pygmy corys? I know they are very small, but one of my favorites. I am worried that if I do stock them the cichlids might eat them. Am I right on this or should I be fine?

[EpicFish73]

Or could I even substitute the GBRs with Electric blues?

[FrozenFins]

1 hour ago, EpicFish73 said:

Or could I even substitute the GBRs with Electric blues?

its your personal prefernce. if you don't want GBR just do the 6 bolivian rams. or the electric blue rams and bolivian rams

Edited December 4, 2020 by James Black

[FrozenFins]

37 minutes ago, EpicFish73 said:

@James Black Could I keep maybe some pygmy corys? I know they are very small, but one of my favorites. I am worried that if I do stock them the cichlids might eat them. Am I right on this or should I be fine?

I think you'll be fine with pygmys. Just keep your water at 80 degrees farenheit.

[EpicFish73]

Thanks so much!

[Paul]

@EpicFish73I have Pandas in 82F water with Kribs and they’re breeding. Dwarf cichlids tend to inhabit the bottom 1/3 of the tank so you may have some fighting over territory. You can minimize it some by using visual barriers. Good luck.

[JettsPapa]

I'd be cautious about two angels.  I haven't tried to keep a pair, but everything I've seen and read about them says that if they aren't mixed sexes, and pair off, there's a good chance they'll fight when they get older, so that one of them will wind up bullied or dead.

I'm not saying it can't work, or not to do it, but if you do I'd suggest keeping a close eye on them, and have a plan for if you need to separate them.  If your tank has a heavily planted area so there's hiding places that may help.