| As one's interest and knowledge in aquarium keeping | | | | The discus doesn't have to be the only fish in the |
| grows it is natural to want to step up to a larger | | | | tank, but they do best if they are the primary fish. |
| tank. One very popular mid/larger sized aquarium is | | | | They strongly prefer to be in groups with other |
| the 55 gallon tank. The larger tank really opens up a | | | | discus and based on their adult size, they require |
| lot of wonderful possibilities to explore. Here are a | | | | about 10 gallons of aquarium space per fish. That |
| few themes and ideas of fish for a 55 gallon | | | | translates to about 6 discus in a 55 gallon tank, and |
| freshwater aquarium to get you started. | | | | this is a large enough group to make the fish happy |
| Cichlids - African cichlids are some of the most | | | | and to create a great discus display tank as well. |
| colorful and interesting freshwater fish around. They | | | | A "Schools" Community Tank - This term describes a |
| can be kept in smaller aquariums, but with their | | | | community tank with different schools of fish as the |
| territorial nature, a small tank can only support a few | | | | primary inhabitants. With a small aquarium it is only |
| fish. African cichlids can only be kept with other | | | | possible to have a few different types of fish, and |
| African cichlids, as they are very aggressive toward | | | | only 1 or 2 specimens of those, as the small tank |
| other fish, so they are a perfect choice for a | | | | just can't support big numbers of fish. Many common |
| "species tank". Some people might worry that | | | | aquarium fish when in their native environment are |
| keeping a tank full of only one species might be a bit | | | | found in schools because they prefer groups. We are |
| boring, but with African cichlids, that is certainly not | | | | able to replicate this with a larger tank. One Cory cat |
| the case. A 55 gallon tank would support about a | | | | is nice in an aquarium, but in a group of 4 or 5 they |
| dozen adult cichlids which would provide a wide | | | | take on a whole new persona. A school of cardinal |
| spectrum of colors and personalities in the tank. One | | | | tetras are a beautiful sight. With a bunch of hatchet |
| important point about the cichlid tank is that if you | | | | fish or danios cruising on the surface, you create an |
| want live plants, cichlids are not for you. Cichlids are | | | | aquarium with constant activity and loads of |
| constantly "landscaping" the tank, digging and | | | | personality. Given the natural tendency of these fish |
| rearranging everything in the tank. A well-stocked | | | | to live in groups, the "schools" aquarium will have a |
| cichlid tank is a real crowd pleaser! | | | | very authentic feel. |
| Discus - Discus are a beautiful fish that are thought | | | | These are just a few ideas. One should definitely |
| by some to be difficult to keep. This is not actually | | | | experiment depending on personal preferences and |
| the case. They do have specific requirements that | | | | experiences, but most of all enjoy the limitless |
| differ from a lot of other common community fish, | | | | potential of the 55 gallon freshwater aquarium. |
| but if properly provided for, the discus is a hardy fish. | | | | |