If you couldn't keep cichlids...

[celebrist]

If it were legal I would totally go with native Alaskan fish, dollies, grayling, black fish, burbot, rainbows even sculpins would be cool. Alas it is not to be

 

[MonsterFishCreeper]

Native all the way. I would do Pickeral and gar probably. Now that snakeheads are permanently established in Maryland I might keep them too but I think it's illegal.

 

[ragin_cajun]

Place's. Stingrays. or coral.

 

[Stanzzzz7]

Silver dollars, there always fish put in tanks just as a filler to a main centre piece fish, but every time I have had them I really enjoy them,, so I think I would do a tank with them as the centre piece

I'm with you on that one,often fancied a silver dollar display tank. They look stunning in numbers on their own.

 

[mrrobxc]

Rays, puffers, natives from the centrarchidae family, betas and gouramis, rainbows, arowana.

 

[jaws7777]

I've actually been steering away from them. Down to just the pearsei and heterospilus. More bichir....very addicting fish. None of the drama that comes with cichlids

 

[Kittiee Katt]

Goldfish!!!!! I don't currently have any cichlids, can bring myself to purchase another one since losing Horrace But I do love me a big healthy goldfish!



Post Script: As soon as I read this threads title all that ran though my head was Tim Minchin's if I didn't have you.

 

[Michael Day]

Polypterus

 

[cichlidfish]

Probably characins mostly like my astyanax bimaculatus. They have personality compared to most tetras. They are very active and will eat right out of your hand, though I don't do that often. Really don't want to get bitten. Also I'll admit I like their feeding frenzy behavior. If there is a downside it's being limited in tank mates. CA cichlids are probably the best tank mates though.

 

[jaws7777]

PolypterusView attachment 1185476

Best thing about them is most of my cichlids never messed with polys