Setup

go55 · 02-06-2005, 10:05 AM

Here is what I am planning to have setup for my 55 gallon...

2 Juvenile Female Convicts
2 Juvenile Blood Parrots
1 10" Pleco

Please tell me if this is a good setup

fishgfish · 02-06-2005, 05:19 PM

Your set up is ok. Get a smaller pleco You could have more fish

go55 · 02-06-2005, 06:36 PM

I can't get a smaller pleco, I already have had him in there. He was the first fish i ever bought

**Cichlid Man** · 02-07-2005, 10:50 AM

This setup can be a bit risky, because the females won't pair they'll probably be chasing after the parrots or one another all of the time, if you want to keep these two species together, then best either buy a breeding pair of convicts and a breeding pair of parrots, or if you can't find any pairs or don't particulary like the idea then buying about 5 juveniles of each species to prevent territorialism and the constant harassment of a single fish will be ideal.
Also, if you buy only a few of any central americans, then best buy them at the same time to prevent any newcomers from being harassed and stressed out to the result of the victim dieing. Also though, the tables can turn and if you have a small present resident and then after a few weeks later introduce a larger more aggressive cichlid, then at first the highly territorial smaller individual will try to scare off the intruder, but as soon as the larger fish settles down and begins to feel at home, he will see the smaller fish as a threat and he will claim the tank as his own resulting in the bullying of the smaller fish.

go55 · 02-07-2005, 02:00 PM

The Parrots are a breeding pair, but the eggs are never fertile (thank god). I want to get 2 female convicts because I don't want new fry in my tank every two weeks.

fishfreaks · 02-07-2005, 07:10 PM

i think it sounds great!

joe kool · 02-07-2005, 07:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by go55 @ Mon 07 Feb, 3:00 pm

The Parrots are a breeding pair, but the eggs are never fertile (thank god). I want to get 2 female convicts because I don't want new fry in my tank every two weeks.

then, like cichlid man was saying, you might want to choose a diffrent set of fish other than the 2 female convicts. SA's can be very territorial toward "same sex" tank mates as they are "competition" for potential mates. As most SA's are "pair" breeders meaning they pair off and will stay together exclusively (for the most part) during the breeding season any other same sex fish is a threat.

there are many other SA's that are quite a bit less aggressive than convicts that you could consider to mix with the parrots as long as they are willing to accept the parrots as the "alpha" fish in the tank (espicially while they are "attempting" to spawn)

**Cichlid Man** · 02-08-2005, 10:34 AM

These are CA's and not SA's LoL

Jason_S · 02-18-2005, 01:55 AM

I think the proposed setup would probably be fine with the exception of the pleco which will eventually grow much too large for the tank. the 2 female cons may fight due to competetion for a mate but in a 55 I doubt there would be any serious problems. if you don't want to take the chance you could go with 1 female convict, 1 firemouth and the 2 blood parrots.

Lexus · 02-18-2005, 02:02 AM

I disagree Jason, the pleco will not out grow the tank, he will be fine but will poop alot thats all

Jason_S · 02-18-2005, 03:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lexus @ Fri Feb 18, 2005 4:02 am

I disagree Jason, the pleco will not out grow the tank, he will be fine but will poop alot thats all

what?

common plecs can easily grow to 18-24" long. that's a bit overgrown for a 55 imo.

the best pleco for a 55 is a bristlenose.

Lexus · 02-18-2005, 10:45 AM

On most sites I have seen they grow to 12" and the Liposarcus sp.: 16-20" . The only prob I see in a 55G is their waste production and their big tails knocking things over.

Jason_S · 02-18-2005, 10:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lexus @ Fri Feb 18, 2005 12:45 pm

On most sites I have seen they grow to 12" and the Liposarcus sp.: 16-20" . The only prob I see in a 55G is their waste production and their big tails knocking things over.

16-18" is the absolute minimum you should consider any "common pleco" species to be able to grow. even if the plec were to only grow to 12" though a tank larger than 55 gallons would be needed. imo and in the opinions of many a 12" fish deserves larger than a 55 gallon tank which is only 13" wide. it's nice to give the fish a little turning room. IMO, the largest fish that should go long term in a 55 gallon would be an 8" fish.

Pac-Man · 04-03-2005, 12:57 PM

i agree with lexus, i think a plec can be kept in a 55 gallon, at least from what ive heard....

02-06-2005, 10:05 AM	#1
go55 Fishy Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Connecticut Posts: 20	Setup Here is what I am planning to have setup for my 55 gallon... 2 Juvenile Female Convicts 2 Juvenile Blood Parrots 1 10" Pleco Please tell me if this is a good setup

02-06-2005, 06:36 PM	#3
go55 Fishy Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Connecticut Posts: 20	Re: Setup I can't get a smaller pleco, I already have had him in there. He was the first fish i ever bought

02-07-2005, 10:50 AM	#4
Cichlid Man Super moderator Join Date: Jan 2005 Posts: 2,100	Re: Setup This setup can be a bit risky, because the females won't pair they'll probably be chasing after the parrots or one another all of the time, if you want to keep these two species together, then best either buy a breeding pair of convicts and a breeding pair of parrots, or if you can't find any pairs or don't particulary like the idea then buying about 5 juveniles of each species to prevent territorialism and the constant harassment of a single fish will be ideal. Also, if you buy only a few of any central americans, then best buy them at the same time to prevent any newcomers from being harassed and stressed out to the result of the victim dieing. Also though, the tables can turn and if you have a small present resident and then after a few weeks later introduce a larger more aggressive cichlid, then at first the highly territorial smaller individual will try to scare off the intruder, but as soon as the larger fish settles down and begins to feel at home, he will see the smaller fish as a threat and he will claim the tank as his own resulting in the bullying of the smaller fish. __________________ If you have a big enough tank with enough hiding places, pH of around 7, you can keep virtually any fish together as long as all the fish are around the same size and these two groups of fish are avioded: Serrasalmus Tetradon(figure eights and dwarfs are the exception). I keep a successful community of fish in a 4 foot tank including the following families: Cichlids, tetras, loaches, gouramis, barbs, rainbows, livebearers, killiefish, catfish, puffers.

02-07-2005, 02:00 PM	#5
go55 Fishy Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Connecticut Posts: 20	Re: Setup The Parrots are a breeding pair, but the eggs are never fertile (thank god). I want to get 2 female convicts because I don't want new fry in my tank every two weeks.

02-07-2005, 07:10 PM	#6
fishfreaks M&F Couple Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: PA Age: 21 Posts: 4,303	Re: Setup i think it sounds great! __________________ VOTE FOR FISH FORUMS

Members currently in the Chat:0
	Users In Chat Room: There are several users in chat now! Don't Be Shy - click here and come on in!

02-06-2005, 05:19 PM	#2
fishgfish Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: rochester Posts: 55	Your set up is ok. Get a smaller pleco You could have more fish

02-08-2005, 10:34 AM	#8
Cichlid Man Super moderator Join Date: Jan 2005 Posts: 2,100	Re: Setup These are CA's and not SA's LoL __________________ If you have a big enough tank with enough hiding places, pH of around 7, you can keep virtually any fish together as long as all the fish are around the same size and these two groups of fish are avioded: Serrasalmus Tetradon(figure eights and dwarfs are the exception). I keep a successful community of fish in a 4 foot tank including the following families: Cichlids, tetras, loaches, gouramis, barbs, rainbows, livebearers, killiefish, catfish, puffers.

02-18-2005, 01:55 AM	#9
Jason_S Fishy Member Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Columbus, IN USA Posts: 29	Re: Setup I think the proposed setup would probably be fine with the exception of the pleco which will eventually grow much too large for the tank. the 2 female cons may fight due to competetion for a mate but in a 55 I doubt there would be any serious problems. if you don't want to take the chance you could go with 1 female convict, 1 firemouth and the 2 blood parrots.

02-18-2005, 02:02 AM	#10
Lexus Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Wisconsin Age: 22 Posts: 2,402	Re: Setup I disagree Jason, the pleco will not out grow the tank, he will be fine but will poop alot thats all __________________ 55 Gallon 2 Blood Parrots 2 Angelfish 1 Fantail Goldfish 46 Gallon 1 Albino Bristlenose 2 Angelfish 4 African Dwarf Frogs 4 Black Skirt Tetras 6 Zebra Danios 8 Tiger Barbs 11 Assorted Corys 29 Gallon 8 Daffodil Cichlids & fry 1 Electric Blue Crayfish 10 Gallon 1 Betta 15 Neon Tetras

02-18-2005, 10:45 AM	#12
Lexus Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Wisconsin Age: 22 Posts: 2,402	Re: Setup On most sites I have seen they grow to 12" and the Liposarcus sp.: 16-20" . The only prob I see in a 55G is their waste production and their big tails knocking things over. __________________ 55 Gallon 2 Blood Parrots 2 Angelfish 1 Fantail Goldfish 46 Gallon 1 Albino Bristlenose 2 Angelfish 4 African Dwarf Frogs 4 Black Skirt Tetras 6 Zebra Danios 8 Tiger Barbs 11 Assorted Corys 29 Gallon 8 Daffodil Cichlids & fry 1 Electric Blue Crayfish 10 Gallon 1 Betta 15 Neon Tetras

04-03-2005, 12:57 PM	#14
Pac-Man Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Age: 4 Posts: 584	Re: Setup i agree with lexus, i think a plec can be kept in a 55 gallon, at least from what ive heard....

Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)

Thread Tools
Show Printable Version Email this Page
Display Modes
Linear Mode Switch to Hybrid Mode Switch to Threaded Mode

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
10Gallon Setup 4Sale	ChaldoChris416	Want To Sell	3	10-23-2005 03:14 PM
20 Gal H Setup....need Help	tpet96	Goldfish, Koi, and Ponds	5	09-05-2005 07:37 PM
Final Fish Setup help ?	bsmith	General Freshwater	14	05-24-2005 04:55 PM
New Setup + Fish + Questions	JamesY	General Freshwater	9	03-21-2005 01:12 PM
100g Saltwater - Ideal setup? - and also where to get SW info -	Abemas	Beginner Saltwater	5	03-10-2005 12:06 PM