help choosing a fish

[c_scherer123]

Ok, my mom wants a pair of fish.
But there are a *few* conditions:
Has to fit in her 20g high tank (will be the only fish in there).
Has to be colorful and "pretty". (even when not in "breeding dress")
She wants to see lots of babies (and it has to be a species which there isn't too much trouble giving them away, unlike convicts)
The parents have to care for the babies as she wants to see parental care (at least for a few weeks).

Any Ideas?
I am kind of at a loss. I am thinking something like a pair of red jewels, but I am not sure of their coloration when not breeding.

 

[NUMB3RS]

Go with Dwarf Cichlids! They are Super Parents! Angelfish, you can get many colorations of them. The only problem is you dont know when you have a pair or not. I would go find a male and a female. Males have humps on their head and females dont. Good Luck!

 

[IKeepPacu]

rams fit the bill for everything but breeding. not exactly sure how often they breed in a home tank. if often enough, they are colorful as can be, and would make a nice addition to a 20g tank since they stay small.

 

[NUMB3RS]

There are many types of rams such as German Blue Rams and Balloon German Blue Rams and Bolivian Rams, Bolivian Rams arent as pretty as Blue German Rams, There is also Gold German Ram a Mixture of German Blue and Bolivian.

 

[andyjs]

There are many types of rams such as German Blue Rams and Balloon German Blue Rams and Bolivian Rams, Bolivian Rams arent as pretty as Blue German Rams, There is also Gold German Ram a Mixture of German Blue and Bolivian.

Goldens aren't a mix, they're just a variation of the blue ram. I agree that blue rams or some species of Apistogramma would fit the bill (my favorite is A. cacatuoides). Breeding might not be the easiest, but everything else fits.

 

[NUMB3RS]

thanks for correcting me

 

[c_scherer123]

I checked and rams are out, I have some in my 55g and she thinks they are too small. Angels aren't "colorful" enough...
I think she is after bright colors, but I don't think what she is looking for even exists.
No guppies, platies, endlers, or the other usual stuff. No seawater either.
Any other ideas?

 

[nigaharu]

How's a pair ocf Convicts.

 

[Mike fail]

dwarf puffers are cute but not extremely colorful, or hemichromis lifalili the red forest jewel

 

[mdb_talon]

It might be underusing the tank, but I would put a pair of Kribensis in there (well I would put more than 2 actually with several caves). Nice looking fish IMO. Breed easily. Pretty easy in terms of water requirements. Also an advantage that you can have live plants with them.

They are certainly not rare or anything, but should not have too much trouble giving away fry as long as not looking to make money on them.