Deku

I would like it if I could have a 20 gallon breeder tank (brackishwater) with like one fish that wont be below 5inches and likes attention but isnt hard to keep pretty much like a "Water dog" -no pun intended- I would like to have something that comes up to me ( i know puffers do this) and no Iam not a novice to fish. Ived had cared for wild fish and Iam caring for a pleco and goldfish and turtles and frogs << and would like to keep a brackish water or saltwater tank if I really cant then Ill keep freshwater. But here are my likes about fish:
-Rounded shape
-Puppy looking
-Fat
-Interested in their owners
-Doesnt hide

Ived had goldfish be interested in me. Until they died of ICH. Now I still have one goldfish (common one) but will need to give it to my grandfathers pond seeing as their getting huge. Seeing as fish tend to for some reason keep me happy and tommorrow will be my birthday. Iam allowed one or two fish. But Ill choose anything that fits my requirements. Just I dont like the really really really common fish *besides goldfis* I dont like live bearers. They dont interest me that much. Theyre pretty and all, but Iam more about attitude, and personality, not looks. so heres what I will be getting:
-20-30gallon breeder tank
-An emperor filtration system (ones designed for 50g)
-Some substrate( I like sand...but sand gets dirty and would like to not be sifting the sand every other day or even once a day Id rather have some fish sift it for me) and since I have problems sleeping watching fish swim kinda puts me to sleep if I should be sleeping (during the middle of the night) and I do have experience taking care of fish so yeah. Just want suggestions and assistance on keeping brackish water kind. I have a budget of 300dollars. I dont know if thats enough. Or enough to start with but any suggestions? Id rather stay away from fish that are meant for experts, and stick to basics or intermidiete.
(sorry for my spelling) Oh I would like to have some plants in as well.
at this point Iam accepting suggestions for brackishwater and freshwater

Deku

Oh ps: I have another question (yes Im full of them xD) I heard from a petstore who carries GSP (green spotted puffers) that you can keep one in a 20 gallon tank, and in saltwater but it doesnt require special lighting nor protein skimmers nor any of that saltwater stuff just the sand, the fish, the saltwater. Just like a freshwater tank just with live sand and saltwater and thats it. Can anyone clear this up? he said because they started at freshwater they work their ways up to saltwater so they dont need protein skimmers, nor sumps or all that stuff.

Deku

Well today is the day which I get my aquarium. Desicions are to be made. Any suggestions? Id rather not have small fish and I seem to prefer round bodied fish over most kinds of fish so to me the more circular it is probably the more I will be bound to like it more. though I want a fish who was alot of personality. Id rather keep something around 7-8 inches but the least I will take is 5inches. I can have anything above 30gallons I want it to be hardy enough

Lucy

Welcome to Fish Lore
I'm sorry I can't answer your questions. Green spotted puffers are pretty cool fish. It sounds like that would suit your tastes.
I'm sure someone will be able to help you. Until then, here's a little info about puffers:
General Puffer Guide

Deku

Oh. I want one. But Ived been told they might or might not need protein skimmers. I cant over do it with the spending. for several obvious reasons. If it turns out I cant keep saltwater tank since most fish I like grow big then yeah.

Deku

and about puffers. Do you know all freshwater species that could go in a 20 or a 30? (that is 5inch or above) and if I do get a puffer can I have some inverts? like sand sifter crabs or like hermitcrabs to help keep the sand clean?

MaddieLynn

Hairy puffers are very rare to find in a fish store and are pretty expensize, but they get to about 5" (and I really want one!).

South American puffers are a little more common but I think they only get to around 4".

Lucy

I don't know enough about puffers and their needs. The only one I know that's fresh water is a dwarf, but there's probably others.

Deku

ehh not rare to me xD I can get them O: special orders. So basically most fish I can get.Iam staying away from cecophlopods Dx . I like getting attached to my fish. And rather personally would like one or two fish at max. (like main fish not including cleaner crews) if I do use sand for my puffers.. >> how will I make sure so the sand doesnt need to be sifted manually every two days? yet still look nice and not have air bubbles stuck

Deku

btw. How long does it take to cycle a freshwater, brackishwater, saltwater tanks? My father kinda helped me with the freshwater cycling. so we just gave it a week (with used equipment which was my idea) but yeah. Idk how to make the cycling process go for saltwater go faster (I know it can go up to 10months but what I meant is how to make it so its quicker and how long will it take)