Stocking 55 gallon aquarium

Question
QUESTION: Hi!  I have a 55 gallon fish tank that I purchased about 2 weeks ago, the filter is a aqua-clear 70, and the heater is 200 watts.  So far I have not stocked it at all.  Do you have any suggestions on what type of fish?  I would preferably 1-2 "center piece" fish *hopefully* no bigger then 8".  Also I would like to keep some small schooling fish with it such as tetra's. Any help is greatly appreciated.

p.s-  The 55 gallon fish tank would be their permanent home.

ANSWER: Sally,
The heater is ok for the tank, I would however purchase another filter of some sort as the AQ70 will have a hard time handling a 55 stocked as you wish.
To keep fish 8" long quite frankly your tank is not large enough. Fish that are already 8" are going to knock things around, mess up tank and more than likely bother or kill smaller fish.
You could do Africans, assorted livebearers, various cichlids. Firemouths, Severums and the like.
There are lots of options and lots of questions.
If you can outline a game plan I would be happy to assist you with selection and what you need to be successful.
Let me know and we will get you to where you want to be.

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: The filter is meant for 40-70 gallon  fish tanks, 300gph, should I return this filter or get another one for it?  For the aquarium I was thinking 1 parrot fish, 10 tetra's (neon or cardinal) 5 hatchet fish, and 3-5 Otto's.  Does that sound good?  I wasn't sure if the parrot fish and the otto's would get along.

ANSWER: Sally,
the filter will be adequate if you do not overstock the tank or have large, messy fish.
Although the rating is a 40-70 gal tank with a 300gph flow that is at no load, as the filter runs the flow rate decreases.
The filter will work in an "average" aquarium stocked with "average" fish.
That is how they arrive at these ratings.
Now, as Parrot fish are a cross between a Severum and a Convict your neons may not be as safe as they could be.
You would want something that the parrots won;t eat.
The ottos I think would be alright, and a good choice for an algae eater as well.
If you are going to go with tetras and would like cichlids you may want to consider dwarfs of the Apistogama group.
short answer, be wary of the parrots and smaller fish.
your filter is fine for what you have outlined not fine for 8" fish.
If needed you can always add another filter at a later time.
If you need anything feel free to ask.

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Looking at a ruler, and then at my tank, I realized how large a 8" was compared to the aquarium. I think the largest size fish I would ever get for that fish tank would be not more then 5", I'm not sure about the parrot fish because I read they can reach 10"! Also, the aquarium store near me only sells jelly-bean parrots, but I heard they get dyed their color (which I believe is horrible) do all jelly bean parrots get dyed?

Answer
There is a pink variety that is a natural color, anything other than that are dyed.
The dye fades away after time and they revert to either pink or off white/tan/grey color.
Although a 55gal tank sounds large it is actually now considered a "smaller" tank.
Medium tanks being 75-90-110
large tanks starting at 120-125-150
Ex.Large tanks at 180-220-265 and custom sizes.
Your tank will serve you well and you will be able to choose from several themes and fishes.
I think limiting the size to the 5" maximum is a good idea.
Also, if you are going to do schooling fish then allow for at least 7 to get the schooling effect.
Also, keep schooling fish in odd numbers or semi-aggressive fish as well for that matter and they will school better and there will be less aggression. If I can assist you , let me know.