Cool fish for a 40 gallon breeder

[fishhead0103666]

May I suggest buffalo head cichlids?
Steatocranus casuarius
Quite a beautiful fish that I’m thinking about getting a small group of.

 

[CaptainAquatics]

Are you looking for one bigger fish, or multiple fish that can live together? Something I don't see listed here are reticulated hillstream loaches. You could have several of them in there, and maybe a group of rainbow shiners for something active and colorful. The shiners aren't too common in the US hobby but can be found at a few online stores. I know you said no cichlids but I love my herotilapia multispinosa, and amatitlania nanolutea are beautiful and peaceful cichlids that stay small.

I don’t mind some cichlids, just not the common types.

 

[CaptainAquatics]

My hairy puffer is a very out going wet pet. A bit on the expensive side but worth every bit. Mine has a 65B to itself and is every bit as interactive with me as my cichlids. It is lazy otherwise so it is not a sit and watch for hours kind of fish but will beg for food and watch what I do and follow me around.
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A piece of driftwood in the tank that it treats as its perch and watches what is going on.
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There is just that cuteness factor when she swims around
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She also regularly “inflates” for me
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Hello! Could you happen to know of a place that is selling these guys for a decent price. I have looked a lot of places and they either don’t have them, or the one that did would have cost me $140 which I’ll pay if I have to but would prefer to find something a bit cheaper.

 

[Kelly_Aquatics]

maybe an archer setup with some bottom dwellers

 

[The Masked Shadow]

Kelly, you are addicted to archers! But archers are a good idea. Pretty awesome fish!

 

[Kelly_Aquatics]

Yep plan on getting some soon I think they are the datnoids cooler brother

 

[FJB]

Pencilfish!
Several nice ones to choose from.

 

[twentyleagues]

maybe an archer setup with some bottom dwellers

Archers get to big for a 40g. 7-10" on avg. They are also quite active and aggressive.

 

[Kelly_Aquatics]

even the cloudeds I thought they got 6-8"

 

[twentyleagues]

even the cloudeds I thought they got 6-8"

Commonly yes, but they have been recorded as large as 12". But even at say 7" more then 1 would be to much in a 40. I have heard they do better in groups.