55 gallon fish tank?

Question

wut should i get for my tank. i have a canister filter. i was thinking convict cichlids or african cichlids. but can african cichlids live with convict cichlids

Answer 1

Africans and convits do not make good tank mates. The very first thing you need to do, before even setting up the tank is to go get a book on aquarium keeping. A basic book is not expensive and will pay off big time in the long run. Get the book read up on setting up and maintaining the tank as well as reading about some of the fish you like. Then come back and ask questions you might still have. I promise, it will be worth the money and the time!

Answer 2

Everyone else has sufficiently addressed the pros and cons of what fish you should try. I just wanted to comment on your filter. One canister filter is not sufficient for a 55 gallon tank for a couple of reasons. Canisters and power filters do not have large enough filters to deal with bacterial filtration. Canisters and power filters are good for dealing with chemical filtration and can be used as secondary filters in conjunction with a filter that is better for producing bacterial filtration and, at the very least, you would need to have two filters to even come close to doing the job. And, speaking of two filters, the second reason is that a 55 gallon tank is large and you will get uneven filtration and water flow if you only have one filter. Putting a filter at each end of the tank will deal with these issues as well. Do some research on tropical fishkeeping; i.e., water cycling, water changes, proper feeding, etc. It may be frustrating because you want to start enjoying those fishies right away, but the more prepared you go into this, the more likely you will have long-living, healthy fish, which not only translates into doing the right thing for your fish, but also for your wallet.

Answer 3

I would advise against it, although it has "worked" before. A 55 is actually a better size for convicts than africans. If you go with convicts, and they pair off, they will breed like crazy. These fish are hard to sell, as anybody can breed them. On the african side, you will have to stay with smaller Mbuna OR Peacocks OR Haps. Otherwise a 55 could house a nice Tanginikan community, choosing smaller types wisely(shellies/Neolamps). There are a few Victorian fish I can think of that could work also. If you decided to go African, the babies are easier to sell OR eat their own(mostly), so breeding would be less of a problem. If you go Malawi, limit the fish to 2-3 species only. I only keep africans so here are some suggestions. 6 Lab Caeruleus+ 12 Pseudo Saulosi(2M-10F) OR 6 Lab Caer. + 15-18 Pseudo Demasoni. You could also sqeeze in a group of 4-5 Synodontis Multipunctatus/or Petricola with either suggestions, but would add a HOB filter(Emporer 280) for extra filtration. You wont regret Africans IMO. =)

Answer 4

You can consider getting a few African cichlids OR convict cichlids. They have very different water conditions although the convict is very hardy and endures many water conditions. Nonetheless, Africans and convicts should not be kept together. If you want some calm Africans, you should get a frontosa. I had great luck with a baby, though I don't recommend them for beginners and they are quite expensive. Keeping Africans is expensive in general due to the need of many water conditioners though it is very beautiful to keep. Good luck with your decision.

Answer 5

Is this your first tank? If so, start with something easier to take care of. African Cichlids and Convicts require different PH levels. Africans require a high PH and takes close monitoring. Start with some Tetra or Gouramis or Angelfish

Answer 6

Cycle the 55gal tank first. this could take between a million and a pair of weeks. offered the fish are all small: Then introduce a million/2 the fish. Wait 2 weeks. Then introduce the relax fish. in the event that they're large - in basic terms a million or 2 at a time with 2 weeks inbetween each and each intro..

Answer 7

I have a 55 gal. malawi tank with peacocks and afras. Everyone gets along fine, you just need to research compatability. Don't add the convicts with them, they'll beat the snot out of each other. Afras or zebras might be good choices because they don't get overly large (for malawi cichlids). Yellow labs are fairy even tempered (for malawis) Do some research and you'll find there is a large world of possibilities...even for a 55 gal. Good luck and have fun!

Answer 8

Don't listen to what they say. If you get a young pair of africans and a middle or older pair of breeding covicts they will be great. Introduce all of them to the tank at the same time and everything will work out I promise. When the convicts decide to breed, they will all establish their own territory. it will be like an invisible line. Great choice on your fish by the way! Great minds think alike!!!

Answer 9

Those Africans are EXTREMELY territorial when they reach adult hood, I have never had much luck putting anything else in with them. They are a colorful fish though, and actually are pretty aware of the surroundings outside the tank, for fish anyway. The like the water a bit brackish, and alkaline. I would go with them myself. I enjoyed that tank more than any others I have had.

-Dio

Answer 10

No convicts and africans together. Convicts get bigger than africans, with africans you can stock more fish.

Don't cycle with fish, its just as fast without fish and you don't have to pay for and sacrifice any fish.