Aquatic "puppy" sought...

[Samala]

Quick, name the most personable fish/cichlid you can think of! I'm looking for a fish worthy of a name, something interactive! I'm starting to get a bit bored by my multicolored tetras and Apistos, though they're tons of fun.

Required qualifications include:
~Able to coexist with plants (free swimming area will be left, of course).
~Able to live comfortably and indefinitely in a 20gallon long style tank.
~Likes warm temperatures, blackworms and slightly acidic water.
~Likes lots of water changes (its a study break thing, hard to explain, )
~Will not eat my prized pencilfish.

So, what am I left with? Anything? I'm hoping for something!! Let me know what species I can get away with and what ratio (M to F or if they should loners) is advisable. Thanks for the help everyone!!

 

[Richer]

I've had good luck with bettas. I had one living in a 15 gallon tank for 2 years before he passed away a few months ago. Was always at the front of the tank when he saw people, and loved the plants in the tank. Can't say if they will bother a pencil fish, as he was a solitary fish in the tank. I just bought a new betta for that tank yesterday, he's a bit shy now, but hopefully he'll come around =D

-Richer

 

[Jules]

A pair or just a male pearl gourami might be just great.

Jules

 

[ChilDawg]

I don't think that your betta will bother any pencils, and I believe that they are truly aquatic puppies...mine allows himself to be pet. "Mo" greets me every morning, gets a little bit of food then and in the afternoon and rewards me with personality. I would recommend Bettas above Mormyrids (my post in Cichlids) because they'd be less likely to give your tank's deenizens a shock (literally and metaphorically).