Stocking Ideas

[jack43567]

Hey guys,

I have a 40 gallon breeder and I am looking for a water dog. I want a single fish, that has big personality. I want to set this tank up and grow a fish out in it for about a year or so then upgrade it to a larger tank. What is a fish that has relatively slower growth (wont outgrow a 40 in a year). Originally I really wanted a Fahaka puffer but I read they grow an inch a month till they are around 10 inches....

All ideas appreciated! Thanks! ?

 

[Deadeye]

There are smaller puffers that would fit the bill, like many of the pao genus.
A solo male convict (or a pair) is like a mini Midas, the white ones really look the part. Other similarly sized cichlids would work too.
Red wolf fish are bad@$$ and have a pretty cool personality, but not as much as a cichlid or puffer.

 

[PhishMon84]

T. Schoudenti are great fish, can be communed with other fish and others of their own species. they definitely hit the water dog mark. Also, the two I kept never needed any dental work.
Unfortunately, most other puffers that would work in that footprint are cool but lurkers and not very owner responsive and any tankmates would be food. like the hairy puffer, the Potatoe puffer and dragon puffers.
I know it get tossed out with mix feelings but a rainbow wolf can and will work in a 40b. typically id add some locally caught sunfish or minnows as a temporary distraction.

 

[Deadeye]

I’ve heard hairy puffs are responsive, but definitely a lurker.
Amazons are incredibly active and peaceful, but not at all responsive.

 

[PhishMon84]

I’ve heard hairy puffs are responsive, but definitely a lurker.
Amazons are incredibly active and peaceful, but not at all responsive.

mine was not active, unless i had a good view then it would promptly move so i no longer did.

SAP's teeth grow way too fast and almost always require dental work, which i for one am not comfortable with doing

 

[jack43567]

There are smaller puffers that would fit the bill, like many of the pao genus.
A solo male convict (or a pair) is like a mini Midas, the white ones really look the part. Other similarly sized cichlids would work too.
Red wolf fish are bad@$$ and have a pretty cool personality, but not as much as a cichlid or puffer.

How difficult is it to get a red wolf fish? I have never seen one in a lfs

 

[PhishMon84]

How difficult is it to get a red wolf fish? I have never seen one in a lfs

i see them from time to time at my LFS but its kind of an exception. they also are typically available at online retailers such as exotic fish shop, aqua-imports ect. theres a few variations. i like the ones sold as rainbow, i think they come from peru

 

[PhishMon84]

Here’s my old rainbow as a baby and then as an adult. I lost mine when it jammed itself into my overflow drain, it was a few days before I noticed.

 

[jack43567]

Here’s my old rainbow as a baby and then as an adult. I lost mine when it jammed itself into my overflow drain, it was a few days before I noticed.View attachment 1481601View attachment 1481600

How active was he?

 

[PhishMon84]

Think flowerhorn energy half the time and lurker the other half. it's on my list of fish to keep again but next time i hope to get a group of 6-8 at a small size and raise them together.