What fish to add for COLOR ?

  • We are currently upgrading MFK. thanks! -neo
F

fwprawn

Jack Dempsey
MFK Member
Jul 29, 2011
3,441
8
38
New England
As some of you may know now, I have a nature classroom, and have quite a lot of tanks that I filled with some of my favorite fish, and also some cool / unusual / colorful fish for the kids - but my problem is, the fish are basically silvery/gray, OR pink (albino.) and not much in between.
What are some good fish for bold / bright / attractive colors?

Nothing tiny, like neons - they get snapped up, even in the community tanks. Tried the blue dwarf gouramis - didn't last long. So, nothing too picky.

This goes for ALL of my tanks - need some real color.

Let the suggestions flow!
 
I guess it would really depend on what fish you have now and what size tanks they are in. Are you looking for cichlids? Oddballs? There are so many fish to choose from that you'd need to narrow it down a little first :) If you are thinking of getting cichlids there are a lot of different choices. Geophagus are beautiful and usually peaceful as are Discus. Electric blue jack dempseys are also beautiful and usually on the more docile side. Then you have more aggressive, yet beautiful fish like Festae, Dovii and Umbee. Then there are tons of fish outside of cichlids that are beautiful as well. Rainbow fish, silver dollars and roseline sharks are a couple of my favorites. I think it's awesome that you have a nature classroom. I'd love to see pictures!
 
I have many different tanks, so I can distribute them according to size, aggression, etc. So, basically anything goes.
True, there are TONS of fish to choose from, but very few are truly colorful.

For instance, from your list, Geo's, Discus, Doiis, Umbees, Silver Dollars, Roseline sharks, are actually pretty much "grayish" based. If you get the idea, and are not colorful. Even festae are pretty dull, until they get larger. I like the Electric blue Jack idea - that's one so far - thanks!
As for rainbows, I'm not sure if any of them are perpetually colorful? I'm really looking for POP, for the kids.

To give you some examples, my most colorful fishes are a Distichodus sexfasciatus, Clown Loaches, a Yellow Lab, and even some goldfish.

As for what I have already - a wild assortment of Cichlids, barbs, sharks, gars, a couple cats. A little of everything, so to speak.

I'll try to get some pics up soon!
 
Have pumpkinseeds - sunfish are very drab for the most part, even males during most of the year - again, they are "gray based" if you know what I mean.

Darters are an interesting idea - but again, not very colorful most of the year, right ?
 
why not african peacocks? there's so many bright color varieties.
 
Blood Parrot Cichlid. These fish are really great and bright and social. My kids love mine. If you add just one to a tank he will become the center of attention in the tank. Mine will sit at the front of the tank trying to get attention from any passerby... totally smart and will eat from my hand. Knows my voice and rushes to greet us and follows us from side of tank to side of tank when we walk through room. Very laid back not too aggressive and gets to be about 8". They are BRIGHT ORANGE. Lovely really. Monster size and color with CUTE bubbley personality. :)
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
MonsterFishKeepers.com
Top Bottom