Wet pet, 29g, barebottom?

[papero]

Hi all, I currently have a fully cycled, barebottom 29g tank with a Aquaclear 70 using two sponges and Biomax and I'm ready to add a fish.

I am looking for the fish on average with the most personality that can fit comfortably in my tank, I am aiming towards cichlids. I've family with an oscar and it's a fantastic animal, almost dog like. Would there happen to be any fish that are proper for a 29G who are also dog like?

I've been searching this question on Google for hours, really there aren't many clear answers aside from a goldfish in which I already have Shubunkins in my pond.

I'm not looking for a fish that likes to hide constantly, such as shell dwellers or convicts. The best I've found to my research is a single Firemouth may be the closest thing to a wet pet I can get.

Picture of the aquarium

 

[Zari]

Not sure on a fish, however you may want to move the tank, that much overhang can cause it to crack and then you got 29gallons of water on your floor.

 

[Jon M]

FM would do fine. Definitely get a secure stand underneath it first though like Zari mentioned.

 

[MrSomethingFishy]

I would suggest a kind of puffer fish if you want something that is "dog like". I had several different species, just about all of them were very interactive and aware of my presence. My wife loved them because they were so "smart". All depends on the species though, I had some Dwarf puffers that were too shy, then I had a Green Spotted puffer that would eat right from my hands. Most FRESHWATER puffers dont get too big, but some get HUGE!!!!! Do some research on them, they are really cool fish to keep.

 

[MrSomethingFishy]

Oh and I had all of my puffers in a 29 Gallon tank too, like I said, most wont get too big. I`d suggest a group of Amazon puffers, or maybe figure 8 or Green Spotted puffers. Not too sure how the last two species are in groups, but I had 4 Amazons in a 29 with a pleco.

 

[framcosco]

Hi all, I currently have a fully cycled, barebottom 29g tank with a Aquaclear 70 using two sponges and Biomax and I'm ready to add a fish.

I am looking for the fish on average with the most personality that can fit comfortably in my tank, I am aiming towards cichlids. I've family with an oscar and it's a fantastic animal, almost dog like. Would there happen to be any fish that are proper for a 29G who are also dog like?

I've been searching this question on Google for hours, really there aren't many clear answers aside from a goldfish in which I already have Shubunkins in my pond.

I'm not looking for a fish that likes to hide constantly, such as shell dwellers or convicts. The best I've found to my research is a single Firemouth may be the closest thing to a wet pet I can get.

Picture of the aquarium

You mentioned cichlids..... a convict would be fantastic. Cheap, not "exotic", but has great personality, great coloration (especially the females), and intelligent. Females tend to grow 4"s and males 6"s. I actually have a female convict in a 29 by itself.... doing great and begs for food during feeding time.

 

[framcosco]

OH.... BTW, WELCOME TO MFK papero!!!

 

[papero]

Thanks for all the suggestions and warm welcome! I chose a fish that goes against the rules for this tank but I am also doing the fish proper and it will receive proper accommodation by late January/early February 2012. I simply couldn't find a fish that filled all the roles I was looking for in a "wet pet" reliably, with a Convict it was risky and out of 9 pet stores I went to in south eastern PA only 1 had a single Firemouth which was about as skittish as it gets.

I chose a 1.5-2" Green Terror for the tank, I already own a 65G tank but it needs to be resealed and I was going to leave it for a summer project next year but I'll just do it over the winter. I'm going to make a very nice wooden show case for it as well. This Green Terror is a fantastic fish even at his/her size it has a lot of spunk, the GT seems to even back up when I get close to the tank to focus on me and check me out, very interesting fish. I really can't tell which sex it is right now, I'm leaning towards female but I suppose I'll see in a couple months if it starts to grow a nuchal hump.

To address the overhang concern, I totally agree! The picture I posted was actually the first week of cycling, and I thought about that during that period of time and decided to use a steel stand I used for my bearded dragon.

Here's some pictures,