Stumped - I need stocking advice

[Rivers2k]

A friend who works in a LFS is looking for a wet pet for her sons tank.

Criteria
1. Gets a bit of size to it
2. Has color
3. Something different (she sees the common stuff everyday no oscar, green terror jack dempey)
4. fits in a 55 gallon (this is the part that stumps me)

Only thing I can think of is salvini but they are still rather common

 

[xraycer]

Pumpkinseed sunfish

 

[DBLN8]

Male Carpintis is perfect size for a 55.

 

[Manu8__too]

Short-Bodied Flowerhorn (if they're in to that sort of thing). Lots of interaction/aggression, and they usually don't exceed 6-8". (Not my picture, but a good example of one).

 

[Rivers2k]

All great ideas so far. I love texas as well but they fell on the more common side. I might suggest she go for an Escondido or something like that.

I like FH idea as well. I didnt think of short body I was thinking a FH would be to big.

I like pumpkin seed idea as well.

 

[xraycer]

Texas are not known to be overly personable...... mine isn't anyway

 

[Rivers2k]

Texas are not known to be overly personable...... mine isn't anyway

Very true. I had the same issue. Mine tried to kill everything until he became a wet pet and then he hid all the time. Most beautiful fish I owned but never came out of hiding.

 

[xraycer]

Very true. I had the same issue. Mine tried to kill everything until he became a wet pet and then he hid all the time. Most beautiful fish I owned but never came out of hiding.

Mine is very mellow, but never tries to hide. Agree though, beautiful fish

 

[Bigcatfishrule]

Yeah a 12" wide tank is a bit limiting when it comes to wet pets. If you could go to a 65-75g, then a red devil/midas would be my pic. I had a hybrid between the two (a Midevil), BEST fish I ever had, fast as all hell, mean as all hell, and really interactive and personable. Great colour, always active, never hid. Mine died overnight at about 5 inches though, which was really sad. Tank was healthy, fish was healthy, no other tanksmates, I don't know what it was.

 

[qguy]

Should'nt you be asking him that question....

A friend who works in a LFS is looking for a wet pet for her sons tank.