What To Raise In A 55-Gallon Aquarium (Besides Fish)

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 besides fish.

You will just have to come up with an idea, know the facts about 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 whether 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. 

Also worth reading;

1. How to Reseal A Fish Tank: Explained Step-by-Step
2. How to Tell If The Aquarium Heater Is Broken
3. Should I Use Zeolite In My Aquarium? The Do’s And Don’ts!

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.

1. 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.

2. 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.

3. 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.

4. 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.

5. 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.

6. 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.

1. 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.

2. 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.

3. 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.

4. 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.

5. 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 featured 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. 

1. 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.

2. 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 which uses bacteria to convert harmful chemicals.

3. 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. 

4. 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. 

Frequently Asked Questions