55 Gallon Fish Stuffer

[Byron]

It is next to impossible to say what fish "feel," (and I am not being sarcastic here) and we (including myself) frequently talk about fish being "happy" with this or that.  What we are really concerned about is the effect this or that has on fish, and for this we can only assume generalities.  We do know without question that a given fish will function best in an environment closest to that to which it has evolved.  The short-term effect of something that is "un-natural" for the fish may not be at all evident, whereas the long-term effect may or may not be evident until the fish just dies prematurely, meaning, without living its normal lifespan.
 
So, to try and answer your question.  I would say that we can be certain that a fish species will be in the best of health and live a normal lifespan if it is provided with the environment nature intended.  And this likely means the fish will be "comfortable" because it is not having to cope with stress from an inappropriate environment.  As soon as we move outside that environment, we are taking a risk.  Some fish "seem" to cope, some definitely do not and fairly quickly.  Guppies as I mentioned previously have shown themselves more adaptable over several decades than many other species.
 
I'm sorry if I seem to be skirting the issue, or making a mountain out of a mole hill, but I must always keep in mind that others reading this thread may have less experience than you or I do, and if I say "no problem," they will jump to the conclusion that they can do likewise, and this is the danger.  Understanding the mechanism of our fish and their requirements is key to success.
 
Byron.

 

[fropuf]

Thanks Byron. I understand. You aren't skirting it, you're simply explaining why I asked an impossible-to-answer question. Thanks.

 

[fropuf]

So, what would go good in a 55 gallon tank, plenty of fake plants (some floating,) pH~7.505, GK of 140ppm. I want 5 species total, and I already have guppies. These may be changed, though. The species must be a schooling species.

 

[Byron]

First question is, do you want an active tank (fish that are very active swimmers), or less so (more sedate).  As an example of activity only, angelfish or discus are sedate, whereas barbs and danios are very active.  The two types do not mix well, so it should be either one or the other.
 
Keeping in mind the water parameters, you could do an active tank of barbs and danios.  Substrate fish could be a species of the smaller loaches, such as one of the "dwarf" loaches or a smaller Botia species.  You might want fewer plants (fake or otherwise) in this aquascape, with some various sizes of river rock to replicate boulders down to pebbles, sand substrate, chunks of wood.  A South Asian (= India, Sri Lanka) geographic set-up in basic terms.  The fish are generally very active, but you could do a somewhat quieter tank with rasboras (the medium to larger species).
 
You could do something like the above with South American fish, less active generally.  Bleeding Hearts are lovely fish in a group of 10-12, and other tetras can be added.  Corydoras cats, Whiptails for interest (the smaller normal Rineloricaria species, not the larger "Royals").
 
For a much quieter set-up, a gourami centred tank; Pearls are extremely beautiful, and relatively peaceful.  Lots of plants you mention would suit this very well.  Some of the loaches will still work, or corydoras if you don't mind less geographic.  Angelfish could replace the gourami.
 
All of the above have in mind some of the larger shoaling fish that do well in a4-foot 55g.
 
Byron.

 

[fropuf]

First question is, do you want an active tank (fish that are very active swimmers), or less so (more sedate).  As an example of activity only, angelfish or discus are sedate, whereas barbs and danios are very active.  The two types do not mix well, so it should be either one or the other.
 
Keeping in mind the water parameters, you could do an active tank of barbs and danios.  Substrate fish could be a species of the smaller loaches, such as one of the "dwarf" loaches or a smaller Botia species.  You might want fewer plants (fake or otherwise) in this aquascape, with some various sizes of river rock to replicate boulders down to pebbles, sand substrate, chunks of wood.  A South Asian (= India, Sri Lanka) geographic set-up in basic terms.  The fish are generally very active, but you could do a somewhat quieter tank with rasboras (the medium to larger species).
 
You could do something like the above with South American fish, less active generally.  Bleeding Hearts are lovely fish in a group of 10-12, and other tetras can be added.  Corydoras cats, Whiptails for interest (the smaller normal Rineloricaria species, not the larger "Royals").
 
For a much quieter set-up, a gourami centred tank; Pearls are extremely beautiful, and relatively peaceful.  Lots of plants you mention would suit this very well.  Some of the loaches will still work, or corydoras if you don't mind less geographic.  Angelfish could replace the gourami.
 
All of the above have in mind some of the larger shoaling fish that do well in a4-foot 55g.
 
Byron.

Thanks Byron. I think I'm going to go for a active tank with some barbs and danios.

 

[fropuf]

Would guppies be OK in a barb and danio tank?

 

[Byron]

Would guppies be OK in a barb and danio tank?

 
From the point of view of the fish getting along, probably.  Guppies tend to remain close to the surface, whereas the barbs and danios generally speaking remain lower though they swim all over the place.