Good Fish For Apartment Living?

[LonelyPigeon]

Hey! So the only apartment I could afford to live in near my college doesn't allow pets like cats, rodents, or rabbits. I've always had dogs, so I'm really doing to miss having a non-human companion.
 
I have several celestial pearl danios and albino cory cats in a 10 gallon tank, but I'd really like a more intelligent aquatic pet that doesn't just hide from me or ignore me whenever I come bopping into the room. I can't get a tank over 20 gallons; another 10 gallon would be more ideal. Can anyone help me out here? I'm willing to accept that I just can't find a fishy friend that will ever take the place of a legit pet, but I'd like to ask some people with a bit more experience first.

 

[fluttermoth]

How hard or soft is your water? That would help advise on specific species.

You wouldn't go wrong with a betta; very friendly, people orientated fish.

If you don't fancy that, maybe a pair or trio of dwarf cichlids, like apistogrammas (lots of different species in that family), Bolivian rams, checkerboard cichlids.

 

[ncguppy830]

you could get  a honey gourami which is related to bettas there very beutiful fish that are non agressive

 

[fluttermoth]

They're not very 'friendly' though, IME.

 

[ncguppy830]

very true very true but i think its still worth it

 

[LonelyPigeon]

Well, I live 100 miles from the apt right now, so I can't exactly run up and test the water. I've heard it described as "hard", though. Which probably is no help, since I can't give you any numbers.
 
To be honest, I had a betta once upon a time. I kept the poor dude in a 2 gallon tank (wasn't much into fish keeping back then), so he only lived 4 years. But yeah, though he had personality, he wasn't very friendly... Homicidal would be a better word for his "personality". I'll think about it. I've seen some pretty ones out there lately.

 

[ncguppy830]

yea many variations and types there are some "social" ones too that wont kill their tankmates but i dont know.

 

[joe17]

I have a 10 gallon in my apartment with a couple guppies and a couple platies. I absolutely love them! Not very people oriented but theirvery active and fun to watch. Their is certainly a lot of activity and playful behaviour in my tank!

 

[Betta_Shark5678]

I agree with a betta.  I have a betta who I can hand feed! I've never had a betta who didn't swim up to the glass as I walked by.  

 

[Chad]

Betta was the first fish that came to mind. They are very interactive. Mine always would come over to the glass when I would walk in and was more than happy to take worms from my hand. A 10 gallon tank would be great for it and would allow you to have a few nice plants for him to sleep on.

 

[Blondielovesfish]

A single Betta would do great in a 10 gallon. You could even add some Pygmy Cories which are small, active fish.

 

[LonelyPigeon]

Thanks for the advice! What else could I keep in a tank with a betta? Are pygmy cories the best option? I wouldn't want the poor guy to get picked on or get in a fight.

 

[Blondielovesfish]

Pygmy corys would be the best option IMO, you could have six. There are different species but I can't remember them sorry.
 
You could have 3-5 Otocinclus catfish, they clean the algae and are super cute. They need to go in an established tank though.

 

[Megalodon]

maybe a claw frog..from what ive seen they seem to like people..and its fun to watch them eat. one can live  in a 10 gallon. they get about the size of someones palm,from my understanding..they will eat anything that fits in their mouths so best to have them alone.

 

[kazc31]

Dwarf puffers are quite intelligent little creatures u could fit 5 or 6 in and they're super fun to watch them pick at and eat snails which i may add are picky eaters and wont pay much notice to flake or pellet foods.
Oh and also to add despite being picky eaters they would have to be in a species only tank as they'd pretty much kill of anything else u put in!!
Oh n to answer ur betta question shrimp are good! U can get dome amazing varieties on eBay like blue Pearl yellow black etc! Although depending on the fish he may have a nibble or simply leave them alone depends on the fish!