How much does personality play when you buy a fish?

[Gr8KarmaSF]

How much does personality play when you buy a fish?

Would it stop you from buying that fish?

What fish have you NOT bought due to their boring/lack of personality?

I recently ran across two monster fish that I wanted at my local pet shop BUT the fish was so shy it completely turned me off to them. While I realize that fish react differently in different tank situations, I figure I should just wait and I will eventually run across this fish and it will approach me with some curiousity!

 

[Justice.]

i don't know so far for me all fish has been interesting.. teehee

 

[wannaarro]

When I decided to try my hand at a planted tank (29g) with low lights, I knew my cichlids would tear it up for sure. Therefore, I went for a group of neon rosy barbs and some tiger barbs. Now THAT'S zero personality compared to the rest of my fish (marakely, JD, knives, peacocks, severums, snooks). Sometimes I look at them and think, "Hmmm, another few months and those barbs would be nice meals for the snooks or the marakely!!!" But they do make a "pretty picture."
Anything else must be big and have personality...

 

[AquataHolic420]

Personality is crucial if its a fish your not sure u want to buy. If its got a hyoer fun personality, i immediately reach into my wallet for cash to buy it.

I saw an awesome lunar wrasse that i wish i bought. If i had a SW tank setup at the time i would have bought it. The fish would poke its head out fo the water and swim circles to make u watch it, as soon as u would look away it would spit water out of the tank and squirt u. At first i didnt see him squirting water and i was wondering how i was getting wet. Then i caught him, and he kept doing it. I would have bought that fish, even tho he would have made a huge mess at my house. It was only about 5 inches long.

and if u tried to put ur hand near the fish he would swim away, and when u pulled ur hand away he would come back, kind of like a playful dog, minus the spitting.

 

[Gr8KarmaSF]

I saw an awesome lunar wrasse that i wish i bought. If i had a SW tank setup at the time i would have bought it. The fish would poke its head out fo the water and swim circles to make u watch it, as soon as u would look away it would spit water out of the tank and squirt u. At first i didnt see him squirting water and i was wondering how i was getting wet. Then i caught him, and he kept doing it. I would have bought that fish, even tho he would have made a huge mess at my house. It was only about 5 inches long.

and if u tried to put ur hand near the fish he would swim away, and when u pulled ur hand away he would come back, kind of like a playful dog, minus the spitting.

Sounds like a very cool fish!!!!To bad we dont have a vid.!!!

 

[Freeze_Dried_Bloodworm]

Depends really, when choosing my senegal I actually sat and watched every single fish in that tank before choosing cause there were plenty of them!
She bullies EVERYTHING AND EVERYONE!

she keeps sniffing my other fish's tummies once she bit my silver aro's tummy looking for food

 

[benzjamin13]

I usually go for looks. When fish are placed in a different environment, they tend to act differently. I once bought a gorgeous Tiger Oscar that was perfectly fine in the lfs, but once I put him in his new home, he laid on his side as if he was going to die. I thought I would let him be and die in peace, but he never did. He kept growing and growing. When I turned off the lights, that's when he came to life again. Once the lights came on, he'd play dead all over again.

 

[Daeorn]

I think this is a really good question.

For me personality plays a big part - then again, depends on what I'm going for.

If I'm going for a big fish or a "monster fish" - then it HAS to have a good personality/disposition. I don't want to get a shy/scared or lazy fish. I want one thats going to react.

My mudskipper now eats from my hands, as well does my moray eel. My archers all shoot down their food - so come feeding time - its just a great show.

However when it comes to small fish who rely IMO 100% on instinct, and I'm really just getting the prettiest one - I.E. - tetras/gouramis - etc

 

[Gr8KarmaSF]

My mudskipper now eats from my hands, as well does my moray eel. My archers all shoot down their food - so come feeding time - its just a great show.

I need pictures and vids of this!!!

I agree its much harder to buy smaller fish based on personality!

 

[voss345]

id say 75% personality 25% looks
for example bout a month back when i got my first poly my dad was like what in the world is that then a few days later when he was all settled in, my dad was amazed by his personality really active! and absolutely loves him