Picking the right tank size for a solo fish

[DrownedFishonFire]

Serras are referred to a genus of Piranhas. Serrasalmus.

dr exum Thanks! Do you mean the 4ft or 3ft 65gal? And I wasn't able to find a Serra P fish, is there another name I could Google? Sorry I'm not super familiar with fish names yet

 

[Joshuakahan]

Hey everyone!
I'm putting together a new aquarium set up and I am keen on solo "wet pet" since my past tanks have been tropical/small schooling fish. I'm trying to balance the dimensions/tank weight against what environment is best for the fish.

I have 4 possible tank options and I have ranked them in order of best to worst (but still doable) for my home.
My question to you is, what solo fish do you feel could live happily in each tank? Any ideas are welcome LxWxH

1) 50 gal (36x18x18)
2) 65 gal (36x24x18)
3) 65 gal (48x18x18)
4) 85 gal (36x24x24)

I'm fairly keen on the more intelligent/interactive fish like flowerhorns, oscars, texas cichlids etc. I'm just a little unsure of how they would do in odd tank sizes like 3ft extra wides hence why I'm asking the same old tank size question. If it makes a difference I currently have 660gph in the form of 2 canister filters and I'd be open to 1 to 2 water changes per week. My perfect set up would be a Flowerhorn in either tank 1 or 2 with a weekly water change but I'm open to other options if that would be cruel for the fish.
Thanks in advance!!

Number 3 is a 75, one that’s not on your list that opens your options way up is a 48x24x24 120, that’s only 6” wider than number 3, but makes a significant difference

 

[Deadlink]

DrownedFishonFire Thanks for clearing that up! I did some more research and while a school of these fish in a bigger tank would be amazing I don't think it'll be a good fit for now. But thanks for the suggestion anyway dr exum

Unfortunately it turns out I don't have as much flexibility in tank sizes and I'm locked into the 36x24x18 aquarium (65gal/250L).

Could a solo flowerhorn in this tank live comfortably for at least 2-3 years? Ruturaj

I'm aiming for a solo wet pet so if a flowerhorn will not work, what are some other solo fish that could take advantage of the 36x24 floor space? I'm thinking a solo Jack dempsey, Super green Texas/H.Carpintis (the 8inch version of a Texas), severum ( like a red shoulder since they are smaller?), salvini, Pollieni, blue acara or Green Terror. I think all of these fish stop around 8inches or take 3+ years to get past and I think they would be personable if kept alone

If you own any of these fish and think they could work solo or with dithers let me know Any alternative solo fish recommendations for the 36L x 24W x 18D would be appreciated!

 

[Ruturaj]

DrownedFishonFire Thanks for clearing that up! I did some more research and while a school of these fish in a bigger tank would be amazing I don't think it'll be a good fit for now. But thanks for the suggestion anyway dr exum

Unfortunately it turns out I don't have as much flexibility in tank sizes and I'm locked into the 36x24x18 aquarium (65gal/250L).

Could a solo flowerhorn in this tank live comfortably for at least 2-3 years? Ruturaj

I'm aiming for a solo wet pet so if a flowerhorn will not work, what are some other solo fish that could take advantage of the 36x24 floor space? I'm thinking a solo Jack dempsey, Super green Texas/H.Carpintis (the 8inch version of a Texas), severum ( like a red shoulder since they are smaller?), salvini, Pollieni, blue acara or Green Terror. I think all of these fish stop around 8inches or take 3+ years to get past and I think they would be personable if kept alone

If you own any of these fish and think they could work solo or with dithers let me know Any alternative solo fish recommendations for the 36L x 24W x 18D would be appreciated!

IMO a fish that's 8-9 inches can live in that tank. If you start with very small kamfa like 2 inches will eventually outgrow the tank but can live there for 2 years. A slightly shorter body red dragon or thai silk which grow up to that size can live for lifetime. I do prefer 4 ft length though.

 

[Deadlink]

I'm not a huge fan of short body fish but I was trying to justify the 44" diagonal as an excuse to get a normal flowerhorn. Upgrading in a few years is a strong possibility but it's probably not the most responsible decision if my situation changes.

What are your thoughts on a Salvini or Super green texas as solo wet pets? The texas fish that are available in Aus are all H.carpintis so a max of 8/9inch. The salvini rarely gets past 6 inch, assuming I get a quality male. If either of these fish are the personable/interactive type then I think keeping a fish I won't need to upgrade for would be the safe option.

 

[Gourami Swami]

In a 3' tank, I would look for fish that stay a bit smaller than a flowerhorn. A shortbody flowerhorn would be a good option. A normal flowerhorn would outgrow the tank in around a year if purchased small, IMO.
If you are looking for the "wet pet" glassbanging fish that attacks you at all times through the glass, you won't be able to beat a shortbody flowerhorn in this tank size. But some other very interesting fish which would fit, but won't behave in the same way, would be:
Panamensis
Salvini
Convict types (amatitlania species - these could be kept in a pair or solo male)
Archocentrus centrarchus
Hericthys deppi
Here's my panamensis, he is a "solo male" cichlid who lives with a bunch of random schooling fish. He chases them around a lot and begs for food, I enjoy him quite a bit. He doesn't do the glass-banging, but still a rewarding pet.

 

[Deadlink]

Thanks Gourami Swami these fish are some really nice options I hadn't seen around. I was thinking of doing an Oranda or convict if the forums steered me away from larger fish. So the Archocentrus centrarchus, Hericthys deppi and panamensis give me a lot to look into. That being said I'm actually keen on a solo male salvini. They look amazing and are readily available at a few lfs near me.

Have you had any experience with solo Salvini's? I'm kind of hopeing that being the only fish in the tank I can get some interaction around the same level of a flowerhorn/Oscar. Most people seem to keep Salvini's in pairs, not sure what the personailty of a solo fish would be.

Beautiful pic btw

 

[Gourami Swami]

Thanks Gourami Swami these fish are some really nice options I hadn't seen around. I was thinking of doing an Oranda or convict if the forums steered me away from larger fish. So the Archocentrus centrarchus, Hericthys deppi and panamensis give me a lot to look into. That being said I'm actually keen on a solo male salvini. They look amazing and are readily available at a few lfs near me.

Have you had any experience with solo Salvini's? I'm kind of hopeing that being the only fish in the tank I can get some interaction around the same level of a flowerhorn/Oscar. Most people seem to keep Salvini's in pairs, not sure what the personailty of a solo fish would be.

Beautiful pic btw

I think salvini are very cool fish, I have not kept one solo before (only in community), but I can tell you that they won't behave much like an Oscar or flowerhorn. Correct me if I'm wrong but it sounds to me like you are looking for fish that do the "glassbang" thing. The fish that do this are usually large aggressive fish like amphilophus or viejas (which are in the bloodline mix of flowerhorns supposedly), which aren't scared of anything. All cichlids will be "interactive" to a certain degree in that they will watch you, come to the front to greet you, and most will beg for food, but the smaller fish are usually more timid than their larger cousins, and won't act like a big Midas would. Not to say they are any less enjoyable, but it's a different kind of interaction, may not be what you are looking for. Some individual smaller cichlids may develop a personality like that, but I would say it's a rarity, not the standard like it is for flowerhorns, amphilophus, etc.

 

[Deadlink]

I think salvini are very cool fish, I have not kept one solo before (only in community), but I can tell you that they won't behave much like an Oscar or flowerhorn. Correct me if I'm wrong but it sounds to me like you are looking for fish that do the "glassbang" thing. The fish that do this are usually large aggressive fish like amphilophus or viejas (which are in the bloodline mix of flowerhorns supposedly), which aren't scared of anything. All cichlids will be "interactive" to a certain degree in that they will watch you, come to the front to greet you, and most will beg for food, but the smaller fish are usually more timid than their larger cousins, and won't act like a big Midas would. Not to say they are any less enjoyable, but it's a different kind of interaction, may not be what you are looking for. Some individual smaller cichlids may develop a personality like that, but I would say it's a rarity, not the standard like it is for flowerhorns, amphilophus, etc.

Not so much glassbanger but not being afraid of people or hiding 24/7. So coming up to greet, hand feed/touch etc which seems to be what you're saying about the Salvini. Hopefully as it'll be the only fish over time it will develop those habits or some kind of bond.

I was mainly hopeing to find a fish that was large (8/9inch) for the look of it. Which is why I thought of a flowerhorn or a Texas super green E.g.. large fish that fills the tank Vs. a tiny fish in an empty tank. But I think Id be happy with the salvini even if it tops out at 6inches. Looks like I might have found my fish

Any advice on getting a male and tank design/scape?

 

[Backfromthedead]

Lots of good advice so far. I like the idea of one of the smaller growing herichthys like deppi or minckleyi.