Empty 55 gallon.... what to do???

JDiddy4981

Large Fish
Jun 2, 2003
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#1
OK, I have cleared out all my mbuna cichlids (got sick of the normal everyday cichlids like kenyi, bumble bee, rusty's, etc...), and I want to go w/ something that will get good size, but able to be happy in a 55 gallon..... any suggestions...:confused:
 

phOOey

Superstar Fish
Oct 31, 2003
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#5
you could do a pair a JD's but only one oscar, i would just have one red devil, they are very cool fish, not sure if you could fit one in 55g but if an oscars allowed i say a fish that gets to the same size as it is alllowed to :)
 

Managuense

Superstar Fish
May 16, 2003
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Springfield, MO
#7
no, in a word, he isnt.

jacks, though slow grows compared to many other cichlids, grow to 8 inches and are quite aggressive upon maturation......there is no way 3 adults will live peacefully in a 55 gallon....no way.

for a while will they? maybe, probably, who knows.

my advice if you like jacks?

raise out about 5 of them until you get a breeding pair, then move the others out with great haste!!

(if you have one that is getting picked on heavily, pull him/her out first obviously, you dont want dead fish)

a single oscar would be a nice "wet-pet" for your tank and they grow MUCH faster than jacks.

it is up to you.
 

wayne

Elite Fish
Oct 22, 2002
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#10
Something a bit smaller - firemouths, salvini. Also some synos, or a medium large L number plec like a goldie? No cichlid bigger than 6 inches though, and no cons or neets. Also pictus and or a jaguar catfish?
 

Purple

Superstar Fish
Oct 31, 2003
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#11
I've always been told that two male Jacks in the same tank will try to kill each other - especialy in a 55. Even a mated pair can get stroppy when breeding, so if you go for two Jacks, choose your two very carefully.

As for Oscars, a 55 is a bit small for 2 once they've got to full size.

Either think smaller sizes or smaller numbers.
 

Managuense

Superstar Fish
May 16, 2003
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#12
most oscar hobbyists say that the bare minimum for a single O is a 55 gallon, though a 75+ is always better.

you could, as wayne said, go for some of the smaller cichlids and not have to worry about size problems.

salvini are cool little fish, check them out.