[xalow]

So is there something that would work in the following setup?

I have a 55 gallon with standard dimensions that is currently stocked with the following:
1 Rainbow Shark
1 Ctenopoma acutirostre (Leopard/spotted leaf fish)
4 Blue Gouramis (Trichogaster trichopterus)
3 Silver Dollars

As the Silver Dollars start hitting the 3" mark I am going to remove them from the tank because I don't feel like a 55 gallon can properly house a fish as active as they are that enjoy schooling and can push 8".

Anyways I am thinking of adding a species of cichlid to the tank so I was wondering if people thought the tank even had any room for more fish.

If so here is the dilemma, the most likely candidate for a suitable cichlid would be dwarfs to my thinking. However I worry that a dwarf cichlid may not be able to stand up to the aggression of the rainbow shark which is a species known to be fairly terrirorial. Furthermore, it seems to me like dwarf cichlids tend to use the bottom part of tanks (is this a correct assumption?) which is the same area the rainbow shark uses.

So basically I am wondering if something would be able to hold its own against a Rainbow Shark but also not destroy my Gouramis. I was thinking of something like rams or apistos. While I think a single angelfish might be suggested I'm not really interested because the Gouramis all ready fit the bill for graceful pancake shaped fish in the tank.

 

[iplaydrums1]

rainbow sharks and dwarves would both interact, but more than likely not become aggressive toward each other. i have a 55 gallon with 2 rainbows and about 3 different types of rams and they all do great. no aggression at all. if you want larger "dwarves" who are a little more territorial, go with bolivian rams. they dont push any 8 inches but they are fairly large as far as rams go and they interact great with the other fish. i have had them with countless other types of fish including the ones you have mentioned. plus they school well and breed pretty easily.