Fish for a 30g tank??

[Sab_Fan]

you are getting some terrible suggestions for a 30G tank - - GT, JD, Managuense ??? - - so either people are punking you or they don't get the part about the 30G tank

IMO, you really ought to stick to fish that stay 5" or less . . . a pair of Convict, Firemouth or Rainbow cichlids would do well . . .

if you want a solitary "wet-pet", how about a single male convict? they can can be quite personable, and won't outgrow a 36" wide tank . . .

 

[Kaliedoscope]

Yeah convicts are adorable, especially if you have a pair or harem and something to eat the millions of babies. Otherwise, Shell dwellers rock, also lamp. Brichardi (pretty but less personable), and some small gobies have lots of personality. Also x3 for the anabantid personality, I like blue gouramis, they're fun in groups.
But have you considered badis?

 

[balton777]

I would try getting a Jack Dempsey or a mananganese. I had a pair of convicts with a jack dempsey and they were ok as well.

:WTF: :WTF::WTF:
Are you seriously recommending a Jack Dempsey or Jag for a 30 gallon tank? Why not a couple of Pacu for dithers while he's at it? You should refrain from giving advice about CA cichlids until you know what you're talking about.
________________________________________________

Vince, do a little research and find a cichlid or pair that doesn't get bigger than 5-6" at full size. Anything bigger and it will eventually just be laying on it's side at the bottom of the tank and die. Fish have to be able to swim around. I tried to put a 9" grammodes in a 30 gallon one time because I wanted to keep him so bad and didn't have a bigger tank. He seemed fine for the first couple of months but by the third month he was depressed and dying. I put him back in my larger tank with a divider and he recovered after another month or so but it was a close call. I sold him shortly after to someone who could accomodate him. Some of the fish being recommeded can get 12-16"+.

If you keep a Managuese as KJC suggested, you'll stunt the hell out of him and he'll die a painful miserable death.The body stops growing but the organs and innards don't. The fish gets all deformed and dies pitifully. It's very sad.

 

[aquaman123]

you should get a gt if you want cichlids. Some other good ideas would be angelfish, gouramis, corydoras, plecos.

 

[Sab_Fan]

you should get a gt if you want cichlids.

 

[Batboi3000]

At least what I was trying to say was that maybe a Gt or a Jack dempsey would be okay in the 30 for a few months till he can save money and buy a bigger tank. I currently have a 1" Gt and a JD in a 5 gallon because I had a leak in the 20 gallon they were in. I fully plan on giving them a bigger home eventually but budgets happen and in the mean time a couple 1" fish don't need a 55 gallon. I will probably get flamed for this and called a newb, but the fact is my fish are doing great for the moment. You do have a lot of options for your 30, but the question you need to answer is are you planning on keeping whatever fish you get in the 30 for life? The answer to that question will determine what you get. I agree that you should not get anything that gets over 5-6 inches. Good luck in your search!

 

[balton777]

Using it as a growout tank is one thing, but the OP didn't say he had a 30g growout tank in his room and wanted to upgrade in a few months. He's asking what kind of fish with a good personality he could keep in his tank. Why are you guys reading something into his question that he doesn't say or imply whatsoever?

Just to be sure, lets read it again....nope...nothing about growout or upgrading.

I have a 30g tank in my room and have always wanted a Oscar fish, but im pretty sure a 30g wont be enugh due to there size

I want a fish with a similar persinality as a oscar, but will top out around 8" or so. Iv thought of flowerhorn but sadly they get to big aswell??

Any other ideas?? I really need a intelligent fish!!

 

[BigO6687]

how could you not want a breeding pair of these??

 

[Sab_Fan]

how could you not want a breeding pair of these??

you might mention what they are . . . that would help

FWIW, that is a thoricthys aureus, also called "Blue Flash" . . . similar to Firemouths . . . beautiful fish, and I think my LFS has them right now, but I have no room for 'em

not a bad choice, I think . . .

 

[Natalie]

you are getting some terrible suggestions for a 30G tank - - GT, JD, Managuense ??? - - so either people are punking you or they don't get the part about the 30G tank

IMO, you really ought to stick to fish that stay 5" or less . . . a pair of Convict, Firemouth or Rainbow cichlids would do well . . .

if you want a solitary "wet-pet", how about a single male convict? they can can be quite personable, and won't outgrow a 36" wide tank . . .

I couldn't agree more! Some of the suggestions in this thread have been terrible. Even a blood parrot grows too large for a 30g. My top suggestion would be a single male convict. They are FANTASTIC pets and full grown males can look really impressive. You don't have to get a common convict, either. There are several species in the Archocentrus genus that are beautiful and stay under 6". Something in the Thorichthys genus would probably be appropriate as well.

In my opinion, the longer you keep cichlids, the more you appreciate and respect them and want to give them a good life. Sure, a green terror or Jack dempsey can be housed in a 30g, but it's not good for the fish! I'm not getting after the original poster, just some of the stocking suggestions he's been given.