What fish should I get?

[Crabcake]

Hello! I have been fishkeeping for 3+ years, and my dad got interested in keeping a fish tank in his office. He never took care of fish before, so I will come every week and help him with water changes until he gets comfortable to do it alone. He has some criteria though.

1. He wants a tank that isn't too small or too large. He wants something around the 50 gallon mark.

2. He wants a "beginner" fish.

3. He wants it not to be a community tank with a ton of fish. He wants just a few fish, maybe of the same species or different ones altogether.

4. If it is possible, he wants it to have a bit of personality.

5. This isn't his preference, but I would prefer something that is a freshwater species, not brakish or marine.

Thank you, everyone, in advance! It doesn't have to meet all the criteria, it were just a few guidelines.

 

[Aiken Drum]

I think you should take your dad to a fish store and see what takes his fancy.

If you want some opinions/ideas for a starting point.

50 gallons is a great size tank. Big enough to either host largish groups of small schooling fish or smaller numbers of medium sized fish. It is also forgiving of the odd mistake with a decent amount of water. I started out with 200 litres (about 50 gallons I think) and it gives plenty of scope for aquascaping if thats your thing, and there are plenty of options for upgrading equipment as well.

With regards to fish, zebra danios are a bullet proof beginner fish and give a tank plenty of movement.

A group of corys have loads of character if in sufficient numbers. I have 12 or 13 panda corys, occasionally get babies even though I do nothing to support them breeding. They maintain a pretty much stable population. I think I bought 10 originally 2 years ago.

Personally, I think 50 gallons with a bottom fish, 2 different types of middle/top small schooling fish and maybe a centre piece would look great. Pair of angels or a ram maybe. Go low tech planted for a natural look. But, it should really be about what your dad wants. Look at set ups on here or youtube, visit a few fish stores.

 

[SaraB]

Mollies. They get a decent size around 4" and the females have a ton of personality. Mine greet me at the tank side or nibble my hands when I do a water change.
They may be a top feeder but I've noticed them scrounging around the bottom for leftovers so you don't need a bottom feeder.
The mollies in the hobby are freshwater but can be converted to brackish which is 100% optional.
You can keep all females to prevent breeding but they may be pregnant when you buy them.

 

[TMaier]

If your dad doesn’t want a big school of something, I would second the angles recommendation. Real thinkers and engaging. Easy low light plants and some drift wood or rock. Some sort of loach for the bottom or cories.