Suggestions for fish with personality

[LazyBones]

P Ponera I have heard of this weak genetics with Keyholes having some bad genetic makeup- the wilds I raised from quarter size thrived in my hard water many years ago has to be 25 years? (Chicago here) someone recently mentioned to me when I just came back into the hobby to try to get the wilds again as the Tank Raised keyholes he has seen seem to get cloudy eyes fast when I mentioned about them being one of my favorite cichlids to ever keep.

 

[Adictd2Fsh]

If you’re into hybrid fish the flower horn has the best personality of any fish out the there. It will live in a 45 by itself only tho. It will kill anything else or be killed by larger more aggressive cichlids, they are mean as hell but terrible fighters. Lol. Oscars are very personable but will need a much larger tank. 70gal minimum IMO for a pair that gets along or one that hates everyone. Lol.

 

[Joshuakahan]

If you’re into hybrid fish the flower horn has the best personality of any fish out the there. It will live in a 45 by itself only tho. It will kill anything else or be killed by larger more aggressive cichlids, they are mean as hell but terrible fighters. Lol. Oscars are very personable but will need a much larger tank. 70gal minimum IMO for a pair that gets along or one that hates everyone. Lol.

I’ve seen huge flowerhorn, like 14” , maybe a short body in a 45…maybe

 

[Adictd2Fsh]

I’ve seen huge flowerhorn, like 14” , maybe a short body in a 45…maybe

Yes I have kept FH for years. They can grow huge and thrive in 40-60 gal tanks. Good filtration and water changes. They are slow swimming pigs with their giant koks. FH with small or no kok may want more room to swim but do fine as well. Bare tanks are best as most are so aggressive they will beat themselves up on decor or rearrange it and will pile all the sand or gravel on one side of tank.

 

[dmyersWv]

With the tank size you could have acouple pair of apistos. Lots of cichlid personality without the size issues. If you're up for breeding could also go with a pair of Honduran red points.

 

[TheBtchWhisperersWife]

Schoutedeni puffer. They can be kept singly or in groups and are invertivores. They don't tend to nip other fish, actively beg for food, and are very people-focused. Unlike a Fahaka, they can live long, healthy lives in a tank that size.

You could also try Colomesus asellus, though you'll need to maintain a reliable temperature of 80 degrees or higher to prevent ich. These will also require occasional beak trims, as their teeth grow faster than other puffers. They are not as people-focused as their African cousins, but stay small and are less expensive.

 

[Joshuakahan]

Schoutedeni puffer. They can be kept singly or in groups and are invertivores. They don't tend to nip other fish, actively beg for food, and are very people-focused. Unlike a Fahaka, they can live long, healthy lives in a tank that size.

You could also try Colomesus asellus, though you'll need to maintain a reliable temperature of 80 degrees or higher to prevent ich. These will also require occasional beak trims, as their teeth grow faster than other puffers. They are not as people-focused as their African cousins, but stay small and are less expensive.

Dragon puffers too, mine had a ton of personality and you don’t have to worry about their beaks

 

[Hybridfish7]

With the tank size you could have acouple pair of apistos. Lots of cichlid personality without the size issues. If you're up for breeding could also go with a pair of Honduran red points.

I second this, and would be happy to provide them as well. The parents of my current batch: