My past experience with cichlids is limited to the peaceful Bolivian and German rams, and to various rescues. Specifically, a Melanochromis auratus who I nursed back to health and rehomed, and a male convict cichlid who had been bullied by a JD, had barely any fins left and was dying at the top of an "adoption tank" in our local Petco. I was able to get both fish healthy and find them suitable forever homes. However, both seemed terrified of me and I never got to see their true cichlid personalities.
Due to my current living situation, I am restricted to a 20 gallon aquarium or smaller. Therefore, I am extremely limited as to which fish I can and cannot keep. My 20 gallon long is stocked as a peaceful community tank, but I've been searching for a fish for my other 20 gallon (high) that will have personality and be trainable. In the past I have kept and trained bettas and gourami, but for some reason despite proper care these air-breathers seem to get exposed to something and never last more than around 3-4 months. I have been attempting to keep a green spotted puffer in the tank, but have been failing miserably. I understand and am proceeding correctly with the brackish conversion for these little guys, but as Walmart is the only vendor I have access to, these fish fall ill and die quickly.
I've really been wanting some sort of cichlid that will have personality and be trainable, but I obviously can't keep any of the larger cichlids due to space limitations. I know that jewel cichlids only get around 4-6" and should do well in a 20 gallon by itself. I've adopted a 2" or slightly less jewel from a local pet store, but he spends his entire day hiding and is terrified of me. He has ample rock caves and plants to hide in, but I'm not sure how to go about gaining his trust. What is your past experience with these fish? Do they bond to their owners over time, or do they require a lot of effort? Are they even trainable, or like mbuna are they too "herd-bound" and irrational?
Due to my current living situation, I am restricted to a 20 gallon aquarium or smaller. Therefore, I am extremely limited as to which fish I can and cannot keep. My 20 gallon long is stocked as a peaceful community tank, but I've been searching for a fish for my other 20 gallon (high) that will have personality and be trainable. In the past I have kept and trained bettas and gourami, but for some reason despite proper care these air-breathers seem to get exposed to something and never last more than around 3-4 months. I have been attempting to keep a green spotted puffer in the tank, but have been failing miserably. I understand and am proceeding correctly with the brackish conversion for these little guys, but as Walmart is the only vendor I have access to, these fish fall ill and die quickly.
I've really been wanting some sort of cichlid that will have personality and be trainable, but I obviously can't keep any of the larger cichlids due to space limitations. I know that jewel cichlids only get around 4-6" and should do well in a 20 gallon by itself. I've adopted a 2" or slightly less jewel from a local pet store, but he spends his entire day hiding and is terrified of me. He has ample rock caves and plants to hide in, but I'm not sure how to go about gaining his trust. What is your past experience with these fish? Do they bond to their owners over time, or do they require a lot of effort? Are they even trainable, or like mbuna are they too "herd-bound" and irrational?
