most underrated fish in your opinion

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To me one of the most underrated fish is common Paradise fish (Macropodus operculatus), they tolerate temps from below 50'F to almost 100'F, will tolerate low oxygen conditions, and are still beautiful. I kept some in my rain barrels spring thru fall in Wisconsin to eat mosquito larvae, and could always count on pulling a few juvies out in fall.
The most "Over Rated" fish to me, are flower horns, BPs and any other designer fish.

My paradise fish was psycho, she ate most of her tank mates (WCMM, Danios) and started chasing panda cories. She was a survivor though, on first night she jumped out of the tank and was dried on floor, don't know for how long, I picked her, she moved, I immediately added her to tank, she survived. Definitely underrated fish.

Flowerhorns and BPs are getting favored due to aggressive personalty which is mistaken for affection. Majority of crowd that gets attracted does seem weird to me. I have seen some cool hobbyist falling for those as well. RD has few, one of members on my FB group is vet, has Marine tanks, breeds see horses keeps one too, but I would say those are minority.
 
Weather loaches for me. I think they're awesome. Bullet proof, good size and when they're out and about - absolutely nuts. Yet so few people keep them!
That is true. You'll see by far more Dojo and kuhli loaches then you will see weathered leaches. Granted I've atleast got 1 out of 5 pet stores by me that sells em pretty regularly but they also specialize in getting allot more of the exotic stuff.
 
That is true. You'll see by far more Dojo and kuhli loaches then you will see weathered leaches. Granted I've atleast got 1 out of 5 pet stores by me that sells em pretty regularly but they also specialize in getting allot more of the exotic stuff.

They are both common names, so not too reliable, but the terms Weather Loach and Dojo are both typically used to refer to the same species of fish, Misgurnus anguillicaudatus.
 
They are both common names, so not too reliable, but the terms Weather Loach and Dojo are both typically used to refer to the same species of fish, Misgurnus anguillicaudatus.
Ahh so I've just been seeing a different color varients then. Makes sense thinking about it tho, I mean besides the colors there really isn't any differences between them.
 
They are both common names, so not too reliable, but the terms Weather Loach and Dojo are both typically used to refer to the same species of fish, Misgurnus anguillicaudatus.
Piggybacking off of jjohnwm jjohnwm , they are called weather loaches because they go crazy before a storm. Lastly, they are also called pond loaches, and are extremely social with people.
 
My favorite underrated fish:
Heterandria formosa (great for nano planted tanks!!!)
Wild coloration Betta
Dario dario (another nano fish!)
Freshwater sculpin (native all over north america)
Green neon tetras (similans)
Banjo catfish
White clouds
Giant danios (good dither fish for cichlids or semi agressive fish)

Overrated fish:
Flowerhorns
Arowana
Blood parrot
Piranha
Lungfish (boring!)
 
My favorite underrated fish:
Heterandria formosa (great for nano planted tanks!!!)
Wild coloration Betta
Dario dario (another nano fish!)
Freshwater sculpin (native all over north america)
Green neon tetras (similans)
Banjo catfish
White clouds
Giant danios (good dither fish for cichlids or semi agressive fish)

Overrated fish:
Flowerhorns
Arowana
Blood parrot
Piranha
Lungfish (boring!)
Great list, but you better take back what you said about piranhas! ?
 
Great list, but you better take back what you said about piranhas! ?

Lol, piranhas are one of those fish that I need to keep in a tightly-covered tank. Otherwise, it becomes a race to see which evaporates faster...the water in the aquarium or my interest in those psychopathic fish...:)

Lol, a long time ago, in a galaxy far, far away...I worked in a local petshop and cared for a large display tank full of large display piranhas (red-breasted). People oohed and aahed over this tank full of one-eyed fish with chewed tails, missing fins and big teeth. I quickly got tired of them and they weren't even my own fish! I also got the worst bite from a fish that I have ever received from one of the misbegotten things, although of course it was my own fault. My hand was in the tank when they flew into one of their frequent panics and the cut was so surgically clean and neat that I felt nothing until after the water turned red and I saw the damage. Don't even know which fish got me.

Now...what's this nonsense about lungfish being boring??? :)
 
i nominate the Chocolate Cichlid.....oscars everywhere but Chocolates are more striking....they are super hardy, less aggressive but still impressive as hell. The bonus is the smaller mouth which opens up the tank to many options impossible with an Oscar.
 
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