Hey guys so on one of my Google search adventures I came across a few tanks that had 1 large agressive cichlid (FH, Rd, Midas) and they were using 3 to 4 female cons as dither. Is that a good mix they had stated since the cons were agressive and a higher number they larger fish would chase here and there but nothing. Also since it was in groups of 3 to 4 the females spaced out their agression on each other. Just was thinking for future tank builds if that is a viable idea. Or trouble down the road?
Cons as dithers?
- Thread starter Apex85
- Start date
NO! Convicts are the only live food that can go from feeder to father in less than a year. I thought I got rid of all of mine but there was one hiding in the gravel on it's side buried during the day apparently--FH Midas RD even Dovii can all interbreed with convicts.- Also convicts can outbreed your other fish and completely colonize the tank. Through attrition or assimilation your tank will become theirs REAL quick. You can try to go with an all male tank (females usually have more orange on them when young)-
I've used cons as "filler" fish to bring the numbers in the tank up and avoid as much singling out of other fish before. They work well for that. If the "centerpiece" fish is already large, I think it's not all that likely (though it is possible) it will breed with a small female con. If they are all similar size, it is a larger chance of that. Going all male would work but you'd need a pretty large tank, I wouldn't try 3-4 male cons and a large fish in anything smaller than a 125.
Why would you need cons as dither fish if your only having one large cichlid? I know people use them with pairs to try and keep the bond strong, which can work but a full grown adult con can be a force to be reckoned with.
A very old pic of a 6 inch one I used to have, he would take anything on if I let him,
A very old pic of a 6 inch one I used to have, he would take anything on if I let him,
Dan what a beautiful convict bro
I had a little guy I bred and he had a nice little hump as well mean fish
If you use convicts as a filler fish use all males. Like everyone else said females will try to pair up with anything they can. I use Buenos Aires tetras for "dithers" with my larger cichlids. Usually they're small enough the fish don't see them as a threat, they're fast enough to swim away if they get chased, and they're big enough if they do get hit it won't usually kill them.
Yes, you can do it. They'll breed and their children will make nice snacks for the larger fish. They also do well as targets as long as you provide them with places to run away to.
IDK in those situations the "survivors" usually look terrible when you chance to see them as they swim quickly from one hiding spot to the next. With rainbowfish, giant danios, large tetra's or barbs (think denisonii) In my humble opinion there's a whole lot more colorful activity with schooling fish as dithers.