If you are reading this article right now, most probably you have a large tank of 50 to 55 gallons. If you assume that it is one large aquarium. When empty it could weigh around 78 lbs and after you fill it with preferred water, it could weigh around 625 lbs and that could be 280 kilograms of water.
Okay now, all that measure is for, in that large amount of water, you don’t intend to keep only fish. There are varieties of species you can keep raised and pet beside fish. You will just have to come up with an idea, know the facts of other creatures, and how to keep them. Simple right? Well, let’s make them simpler.
Each aquarist is required to select fish that get along. While there are such combinations, in most situations we know that they function with relative certainty or not. There are countless more, based on a multitude of reasons. In this article, we are going to provide you with the knowledge of which creatures you can Raise In a 55 Gallon Aquarium Besides Fish.
Building an Ideal Community Fish Tank
Before we take you straight down to the fact of keeping several species of fish together, let’s have a look at how you can build an ideal environment for your fish tank. It is very important because, without an ideal environment, you can not possibly think of having different species altogether.
- Kind and Birthplace of the Fish
Think of yourself or humans. If different people from different countries are kept in the same room, what can be the consequences. Of course, we humans have more developed brains and thinking power. Keep that aside. What we are talking about is, we won’t be able to understand what other people are saying. We would not also understand their behavior and lifestyle. Just like that in your fish tank, if you fill it with fish from all different regions and environments, it may get harder to keep them all together and it even could get lethal for some.
Cichlids, some shark species, loaches, knife fish, mormyrids, and others are not spaces well-shared with human members or closely related species. It’s still a smart idea to ask the local store how to create a fish tank for the neighborhood with a range of animals. For eg, locating an adequate bettas-compatible fish can be difficult, but your local specialist will be able to support you as necessary.
- Fish age, size, and gender: Male fish, especially when breeding, appear to be more territorial and aggressive. For cichlids, this is extremely so. Avoid having more than one male of one or more cichlid or other territorial species closely related to it, especially if there are females. So, while choosing the other species you want to keep, you must keep in mind the male fish you have in your tank.
If a fish fit into the mouth of a different fish, it’s likely to end there. Most fish are opportunistic about food, and even reasonably peaceful fish want to kill other fish if they think they might. Always buy fish in the same size as in your aquarium. Here you will not only have to keep the size in mind but also the food varieties.
Juvenile fish, for example, are normally easy to go, even though as adults they are considered to be cruel. You will often be combined with a broader range of tankers, which you can take with you as you expand. Choose that kind of another fish tank mate which is reportedly friendlier.
- Fish Behaviour: Although we can generalize the standard behavior habits of one species, exceptions to the rule still occur. Both of the above variables can impact the interaction of fish in the aquarium, but fish have their characteristics at the end of the day, and they often behave differently. The best way is to expect the unexpected and be able to distinguish non-entering fish.
Based on your fish behavior, you have to choose its tank mate. And by tank mate, we are not only mentioning fish.
- Fish Tank Size: Now, this fact is very much important, because the size means territory. And from the above-mentioned discussion, you have a general idea that some fish could be very much territorial. In this article, we are talking about 55 Gallon fish tanks. And by definition, that is one large fish tank. So, as the fish will get many places to roam, they will mark their territory more.
Aquarium decoration adds in many ways to the compatibility between saltwater and freshwater fish. Most fish need a place to call themselves and physical borders determine their zones. Furthermore, they prefer to remember their own business when they can’t see each other.
Rocks, caves, driftwoods, other decorations help identify cichlids and other territorial fish territories, while large bushy plants provide shelter for the schools, and provide their field for fishing, such as tetras, barbs, danios, and rasboras. Note that the fish you buy will probably expand and, when you take in internal dimensions, gravel, and decorative impact, a 55-gallon tank does not necessarily contain 55 gallons of water.
What you can Raise In a 55 Gallon Aquarium Besides Fish
The factors we have discussed above, based on that, you can keep any kind of invertebrate species in a 55-gallon tank including Ghost Shrimps or Nerite Snails. First, let’s discuss the fish you can keep in a 55-gallon fish tank. We will classify them according to their level of territory.
Top Swimmers
Top swimmers are small, fast fish, and adding a few will make your tank very lively. Naturally, when you stock, you want to be smart. For larger fish lurking downstairs, tiny fish at the surface are simple prey.
- Zebra Danio
Delightful and very lively little stripped creatures. They are tough, docile fish. The zebra danio also ranges from the fortunate genetically engineered fish to the interesting GloFish.
- Guppies
Guppies are very beautiful and very colorful and come in a host of colors. The only thing is that they are still very small and you have to take the same care if you want to store guppies like neons.
Mid-Level Swimmers
Fish who spend a lot of time cruising the foliage and decorations are readily accessible. They also use this as a shield and live a range from one to two inches from the gravel up to a couple of inches deep from the top.
- Angelfish
Of course, one of the most common tropical fish. But in our opinion, in a smaller tank than 55 gallons, it should not be stored. They will grow over a foot tall so they will keep your tank decorations under check so that their floating fins are not torn. Angels are only half to top trout, so they spend a lot of time close to the surface.
- Gourami
The stunning addition of the 55-Gallon tank is a pair of three-spot gouramis and several species grow to around six-inch tall. But keep in mind that they can be hostile against each other. So make sure that hiding areas can disappear into a harassed fish.
Bottom-Level Swimmers
Your aquarium’s lowest level is on the gravel right below. Some fish spend their life there, seldom surface, and occasionally take high-level diving. Many of these fish are catfish, but there are also some fish and other animals who would willingly live in your fish tank netherworld.
- Cory Catfish
These adorable little guys will pick up food, helping to minimize waste in your tank. But you must still feed them with pellets that sink to make sure they eat enough.
- Loaches
The Clown Loach is a popular aquarium fish but should be held in a group of five or more feet. This fish is very common. That’s why it’s possible that a tank of 55 gallons is not a smart idea. Unless you expect to rehome when they get older.
Pets to Keep in a Tank Beside Fish
The most critical aspect is to ensure that your tank is the correct size for the selected specimen. After all, there might be a lot of lizards and snakes to balance the size of the tank with the full capacity of the animal.
- Lizards
A 55-gallon tank can be fitted with smaller lizards. Especially at night, they can be very active to ensure that they are not too common.
A wide number of lizards or reptiles with varying housing needs need to be considered, all of which would do well in smaller installations. It is strongly recommended that the care needs differ greatly from species to species to professional breeding or references for reptile accommodation.
- Hermit Crabs
Hermit crabs are social animals and are often better kept in small groups. Conduct your pet in a proper enclosure as well. They have unique healthcare needs, like all pets, and a treatment guide by a checked expert is best followed.
- Aquatic Invertebrates
In a huge aquarium or a tank set up as a semi-aquatic terrarium, several tiny invertebrates can live happily. Shrimp, little crabs, snails, and clams. This applies. You might have a nice choice if you live in a place next to a shoreline or better yet anywhere by the tide pools. Many animals you find frogs are plenty tiny to hold in a 5-gallon tank and often need no more upkeep than regular fish aquariums, particularly if stored temporarily.
- Frogs
Frogs will survive in tiny tanks perfectly happily before you keep so many of them together. Note that small aquariums can only be ideal for temporary homes when young and small animals are present. You may keep them in a smaller tank till they grow up and then put them in your large tank.
- Turtles
In the same tank, you should bring fish and tortoises. But a Lot of conditions are attached. You would do a lot of things right and maybe be a little fortunate to make it work. And I would warn most people against this.
The bulk of animal turtles are ubiquitous, but they love meat and vegetables. So it’s fun to treat your animal turtle occasionally to a little fish snack. Animal turtles love tiny fish like minnows and goldfish based on size and age.
55 Gallon Fish Tank Equipment To Make It More Habitant
You have to make sure that your fish tank population is getting the right amount of care. And to ensure that you have to feature your tank with the best equipment. As this is a 55-gallon tank, you have to choose your equipment with more concern and the right decision.
- Lighting: If you intend to maintain living plants, lighting is much more necessary. You need light for photosynthesis, but you might need some longitude or strength. For related purposes, corals require light.
For most species, regular aquarium lighting is typically good. Typically the bulbs are part of the display and can be adjusted if not adequate or if they expire. Just measure up the lighting amount you may need for your 55-gallon Fish Tank.
- Filter: Not to mention, in your large 55-gallon fish tank, there will be a lot of water, and as there will be a good amount of fish the water will get dirty. To purify the water, you are going to need the best water filter you can find. This includes both mechanical filtration which removes debris and biological filtration that uses bacteria to convert harmful chemicals.
- Water Heater: This is one of the most important techs you will need. To keep different kinds of fish and other pets along, you will need to replicate the environment they are usually from.
Of course, you have to choose and research the pets that are used to almost the same temperature. Automated Heaters are one of the most popular choices among aquarium owners. But manual heaters are more predictable.
You must keep your heater in check to see if it is broken or not. That could harm your fish and other pets.
- Automatic Fish Feeder: You don’t want your fish to eat each other right? This is a very important piece of equipment you may need. If you are away for some days, 3 to 7 days to be specific, then this will come in handy.
You may think, how many days a fish can go without food, 3 to 14 days of the course. But that also relies on many other aspects.
Some important FAQs about 55-Gallon Fish Tank
Go through these questions and answers. This will also help you to understand the facts a bit more easily. They might come in handy.
- Fish amount to keep in a 55-gallon tank?
It is also one-inch-per-gallon law, so make sure that in a 55-gallon tank you are not over 55 inches in fish. This equates to about four or five fish of the bottom, along with some eaters of algae.
- Animals that can live in a 55-gallon tank?
Fish are not the only animals or living beings in your tank you can store. Invertebrates are fine choices to store in a 55-gallon tank for beginner animals without backbones such as shrimps or snails. Ghost shrimps and nerite snails are the most widely preserved invertebrate animals in 55-gallon containers.
- Several goldfish you can have in a 55-gallon tank?
In a 55-gallon aquarium, you can fit 6 Fancy Goldfish. For great goldfish, you need at least a 30 gallon.
- Change of water in your 55-gallon fish tank?
It is a safe rule every week to shift 10% to 15% of the water. Bump it by up to 20 percent per week if your tank is heavily stored. Perhaps a small, well-stored aquarium can last two-four weeks, but during water changes, this should be the maximum duration.
Conclusion
Typically the best option is the largest tank that you can afford. 55 gallons might sound daunting if you’re new to fish keeping but they are more easily taken care of than smaller tanks. The set-up is nearly similar to every other tank, save for the flexibility you have to pick what you want.
You also can make your aquarium a stunning and magnificent centerpiece for your house, even though you are not interested in keeping a conventional aquarium, regardless of whether you’re going for a fish, frogs, insects, or other aquatic creatures.
Often study and leave yourself options to move fish that don’t work out until you buy new fish for your aquarium. Good luck!!
