Who Gives A Fish Forums

Got a 55 gallon tank cycling right now, gonna be planted with some Anubias and Java Fern. Thinking about a community setup but not sure what fish to pick. Water's soft, pH around 6.8, temp at 78F. What would y'all throw in there?

With those params, you could do a nice school of Tetras like Cardinals or Rummynose. They'd pop against the plants. Maybe some Corydoras for the bottom, they're chill and won't mess with your setup.

swampdweller wrote: ↑Tue Jun 17, 2025 4:08 pm With those params, you could do a nice school of Tetras like Cardinals or Rummynose. They'd pop against the plants. Maybe some Corydoras for the bottom, they're chill and won't mess with your setup.

Agreed on the Tetras, but I'd skip the Rummynose if you're new to soft water. Cardinals are hardier. Add a pair of German Blue Rams if you want a centerpiece fish, just make sure your tank's mature first.

Dude, throw in some Cherry Barbs! They're underrated and won't nip your plants. Plus, they're gonna look fire with that green backdrop. Maybe a Bristlenose Pleco too, but only one unless you wanna deal with extra poop.

How about a mix of Harlequin Rasboras and some dwarf Gouramis? They'd balance the tank nicely. Just watch the Gouramis if you add more than one, they can get territorial.

I'd go with a big school of Ember Tetras, like 15-20. They're tiny but look awesome in groups. Add some Amano Shrimp for cleanup, they're beasts at eating algae.

Ever thought about Apistogrammas? They're colorful and would dig the soft water. Just keep an eye on aggression if you mix them with other bottom dwellers.

Thanks for the ideas, everyone. Leaning toward Cardinals and Corys for now, maybe add Rams later. Gonna let the tank settle first though.

onyxie wrote: ↑Tue Jun 17, 2025 7:31 pm Thanks for the ideas, everyone. Leaning toward Cardinals and Corys for now, maybe add Rams later. Gonna let the tank settle first though.

Smart move. Rams can be picky about water quality, so waiting's a good call. Let us know how it goes!

If you're adding Corys, go for Sterbai or Pandas. They handle warmer temps better than some others. And yeah, hold off on the Rams until your tank's been running smooth for a few months.