I have three convicts and one is smaller than the other two. Therefor he is stressed because they chase him a lot. I created as many different territorial areas in my tank as I could and did my best to give him places to hide. I also put 6 tiger barbs (6 more to come) in there with him and now he schools with them. What can I do to get his color back? He's turn practically completely white. He still eats and swims well, his fins have not been nipped at all....he's just emo...
3 Convicts
- Thread starter EOD
- Start date
I would take him out. What size is the tank? Cons are VERY territorial, especially if they pair off and start breeding.
If the tank is small he'll probably get sick or die from stress eventually. Try giving him places to hide that the larger cons can't fit through.
40G long. I believe they are all males so I doubt they are "pairing off". Who knows though, maybe one is a female. If I pull the little guy out, the tank won't have very many fish....it already seems sort of empty.
The tank may be too small or the other two Cons could be a bonded pair. If the two are a pair, they will beat on the third wheel when they decide to breed...every time they decide to breed. If the tank is too small it will only compound this problem.
Female should have an orange to red belly. It will be pretty bright if she is ready to breed. A bonded pair of Convicts can torment much bigger tanks than a 40...IF you indeed have a pair you'll see. A 40 is usually good for same-sex Cons though.EOD;4545398;4545398 said:
GERONIMO69 what kind of fish is that in your avatar?
How big is the lil con and how big are the two big cons?
How big is the lil con and how big are the two big cons?
GTbEaSt;4545496; said:
The pic in my avatar is an Amphilophus Hogaboomorum. The one in the avatar isn't mine, but I do have one that is about 8". Just starting to form a nice nuchal hump on his head. Once I get my new camera, pics will be posted, I promise!
Post pics of the cons if you can, that way we can determine sex
are the "bullying" cons guarding a certain area? or are they chasing the smallest one around the entire tank?
are the "bullying" cons guarding a certain area? or are they chasing the smallest one around the entire tank?
I took lots and lots of pictures but I think this series of photos is a good example. It shows the two larger ones hanging out together somewhat chasing the little guy.
Just in case anyone asks this is a Nikon p80 on sports mode which is much lower quality but I can hold the button down and it takes a series of pictures until I let go of the button. Makes it easier to catch fish since they never want to sit still.
I've got lots and lots more pictures if these don't help in the sexing of the fish and help you determine whether they are a mating pair or not. The LFS had no idea how to sex them so I just picked all the ones with orange bellies. Soon after putting them in the tank, the little guy turned white. he regained some of this color when I added the tiger barbs but now he's back to white again.
Just in case anyone asks this is a Nikon p80 on sports mode which is much lower quality but I can hold the button down and it takes a series of pictures until I let go of the button. Makes it easier to catch fish since they never want to sit still.
I've got lots and lots more pictures if these don't help in the sexing of the fish and help you determine whether they are a mating pair or not. The LFS had no idea how to sex them so I just picked all the ones with orange bellies. Soon after putting them in the tank, the little guy turned white. he regained some of this color when I added the tiger barbs but now he's back to white again.