Advice to a new keeper about convict cichlids

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Nyghtfire

Feeder Fish
MFK Member
Jun 1, 2010
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Perth, Australia
Been looking around for a while, and have been thinking alot about what i would like my first fish to be.
Eventually Decided about convict cichlids, and the more i've researched them, the more interested i've become in them.
So basically was just wandering wether theres any specific advice, anyone could give me that won't be found in the more basic how to care for articles.
Also, if anyone could recommend what bottom i should have on there tank, would be great, (such as pebbles or sand or what not), Or if it doesn't matter, i can't seem to find much info on this is all. and ideas for a suitable background would be awesome, can't decide on that either :)
 
from my experience with convicts they don't really care about substrate to much. I've had mine with sand and gravel and didn't make to much of a difference. Biggest thing with that, the dark the substrate the more vibrant their color will be.

biggest advise I could give try not to get a male and a female, last time I did this they killed everything in my tank so they could breed. I may not have had them in big enough tank, but at that time I was young and inexperienced.
 
Id have to disagree with the tank color makes better colors. Thats usually the case, but have a look at my convict in my avatar. She is in light colored sand. She always looked like this, but i think she was always trying to breed with everything, which is why I had to get rid of her.
Just to let you know, Convicts are the feistiest more aggressive cichlids that their are. They tend to terrorize other fish. Id suggest a convict biotype. Ime they enjoys sifting through a sand bottem.
 
Sand or gravel either one is okay.I would go with smaller size gravel if you use it,since they do like to dig some and also keeps food from getting traped down in the gravel bed.I prefer a black painted on background but blue and darker green looks okay also.And like has already been stated be careful if You get a pair because they will breed and terrorize or kill tankmates,unless You have a very large aquarium.
 
fishluvr12;4187562; said:
Sand or gravel either one is okay.I would go with smaller size gravel if you use it,since they do like to dig some and also keeps food from getting traped down in the gravel bed.
Click to expand...

Excellent advice :thumbsup:

They are full of personalities and I think the best way to enjoy them is to keep a pair alone. Do not underestimate how courageous they are...I had a pair that ended up ruling 3/4 of a 120 and forced an adult pair of bocourti, several young adult JDs and a few other CAs into a corner. Had to give them away coz they bred so much...
 
Yeah, there avid breeding and fiestyness has come up alot through my research.
fiestyness isn't a worry for me, as i won't be having them with any other tankmates.
and to be honest, there breeding habits is one of the things that have me intrigued by the fish.
 
love Convicts, they are great parents, my Daughter and i love watching the mother suck up food chew it and spit the out for her fries. I have brown sand and the colors come out with lighting. I have 1 female, 20+ fries and 3 males. hoping to get rid of the 2 large males and the fries this weekend. they are fun to watch!
 
Yeah exactly what i'm hoping to have in my tank sonny :)
and smaller gravel or sand. definetly the advice i was looking for, thanks alot :)
 
Just make sure that you don't underestimate them, be ready for offspring and know what to do with the fry. I love cons, but i only put them with much larger fish, I learned my lesson the hard way.... they are very hardy fish, definately survivores and awesome fish, you'll do great, Good Luck
 
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