Wet pet for 55 gal?

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SomeStonedFish

Feeder Fish
MFK Member
Jan 11, 2015
95
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SW PA
I'm debating on redoing my 55 gal as I'm just not satisfied with the current stock. Was just wondering if there are any good "wet pet" cichlids out there that I don't know about. Obviously has to live in a 55 for life, or at least that's the plan right now. So that limits me a good bit. Someone please talk me into something or I'm gonna go catch another green sunfish and call it day.


I have a male JD by himself in the tank now.
 
I love my blood parrot, very responsive; and can assimilate well with dithers or community fish you can build around it.

Second vote would be to see a grown out male convict cichlid.
 
Honestly, you could get away with a Green Terror (Gold Saum) for quite a while. Although they can exceed 10", most that I've seen usually don't get over 8-9". If they do, it takes several years for that to happen. Otherwise, your basic Convicts, Firemouths, Salvinis, Sajica, HRP, etc, aren't going to display typical "wet pet" behavior. Another option is a short-body Flowerhorn. They look/act just like their larger counterpart(s), but rarely get over 6-8". There are a few online vendors that sell these FH's (PetZone is one).
 
Male convict is about your best option. There's not really a amphilophus like wet pet for a 55. If you can step up to a 75 you will have way better options
 
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When i had my Green Terror in my 52 gallon, footprint 54x14 inches; he was very skittish and basically hid all the time, as soon as he goes into the 92 gallon he cruises the front of the glass and explores all regions, so I personally wouldn't recommend the GT for life in a 55, unless you are going to upgrade.

I also disagree on convicts not showing wet pet behaviours, true some will hide; but others ive had are very inquisitive and like to find out who is looking at them.

A JD could be viable, but they hide a lot.
 
I definitely get the wet pet feel from my HRP's the male in my avatar I call my mini midas he follows me around the tank he begs for food follows my finger. he is always watching me. I have had this from several HRP's

I would suggest a electric blue acara, female festea, my personal favorite severum.
 
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a sev would fit in a 55 for life? I have a red spotted sev in a 75 that I'm working out the stock with too. If I could move him/ dithers to the 55 I'd be set, but was pretty certain a 55 isn't doable for life for him. He's a slow grower so far, but not slow enough that I can wait 2 years to upgrade. I'm probably gonna end up making it a native tank.

Had to rehome my last green sunfish to a pond, I kept him in the 75 with my jack. the sunfish was ruthless, but possibly the favorite fish I've own. Like a dog in water.
 
My severum aren't full size yet so I don't have experience with full grown sevs. From what I understand the 12" size isn't really attainable except in monster aquariums. I believe it is more like 8-10" even in the 75. So I believe 55 is ok for a single severum as a wet pet nothing else.
 
Keeping the sev solo isn't ideal for me since the 75 will be a solo tank too. I'm gonna keep on mulling it over, thanks for the help guys.
 
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