Any fishkeepers here? Saltwater or freshwater

[DJ's left nut]

Originally Posted by Silock

Fine together but what about with non cichlids? I don't want a cichlid only tank. Wife wants glofish and tetras.

There are a handful of cichlids you can try with that bunch, but they're still iffy and can be pretty susceptible to bad water conditions.

I've found that I really enjoy the shell dwellers; they're fairly small Tanganyikans that breed like rabbits. They're very passive and fascinating to watch. They're kinda like the sea-monkeys of the cichlid kingdom in that they're constantly interacting with each other. That said, they're pure bottom runners, so they're more of a supplemental addition, IMO.

Bolivian Rams are awfully neat, especially when they pair off. They can be fairly colorful, but not always. Blue and Gold rams can be extremely attractive, but just a small water spike will kill them off. Usually right about the time they pair off and become badass, you'll look in the tank to see 'em floating. Kribensis could work as well (not a Rock Krib; those are Victorian and mean as hell, just a regular Kribensis).

Here's what I'd suggest - Rainbows.

http://www.aquaticcommunity.com/rainbowfish/

They're extremely colorful, like cichlids. They' significantly more docile, though. They'll school better than Cichlids (who mostly just form territories and go to war). They seem to be much more in line with what your wife is looking for. If you're looking for a planed tank, these are unquestionably the way to go. I've had decent luck with them in the past, before I let my freshwater tank go to seed.

(!@#$ it, just save up your nickels and go saltwater; you'll never go back )

[htismaqe]

Originally Posted by DJ's left nut

I've found that I really enjoy the shell dwellers; they're fairly small Tanganyikans that breed like rabbits.

My next large tank is gonna be Mbuna cichlids. I just haven't been able to talk my wife into it yet since I have 2 tanks and a large koi pond already.

Originally Posted by DJ's left nut

Here's what I'd suggest - Rainbows.

http://www.aquaticcommunity.com/rainbowfish/

They're extremely colorful, like cichlids. They' significantly more docile, though. They'll school better than Cichlids (who mostly just form territories and go to war). They seem to be much more in line with what your wife is looking for. If you're looking for a planed tank, these are unquestionably the way to go. I've had decent luck with them in the past, before I let my freshwater tank go to seed.

I second this suggestion. I was looking to go Boesemani Rainbow before I got into the Colombians...

[Skyy God]

Originally Posted by DJ's left nut

Here's what I'd suggest - Rainbows.

http://www.aquaticcommunity.com/rainbowfish/

They're extremely colorful, like cichlids. They' significantly more docile, though. They'll school better than Cichlids (who mostly just form territories and go to war). They seem to be much more in line with what your wife is looking for. If you're looking for a planed tank, these are unquestionably the way to go. I've had decent luck with them in the past, before I let my freshwater tank go to seed.

Excellent suggestion. Assuming your pH is pretty neutral, I'd pair them with some cool catfish, like these Synodontis.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Synodontis_multipunctata

[htismaqe]

Originally Posted by Pittsie

Excellent suggestion. Assuming your pH is pretty neutral, I'd pair them with some cool catfish, like these Synodontis.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Synodontis_multipunctata

The upside downers are very cool. I have 2.

[DJ's left nut]

Originally Posted by htismaqe

The upside downers are very cool. I have 2.

I had a synodontis decorus I lost in the great tank disaster (we don't talk about the great tank disaster..) as well as a couple of cool lace cats. They got along great with the cichlids and they're a lot of fun.

The most interesting part about them was their reaction to water changes. Anytime I did a heavy water change, they were 100x more active than they were in bad water. They were essentially the caged canary of my fish tank. When they were looking sluggish and not coming out much, I knew it was time for a water change.