Convict - Can they be kept under control?

  • We are currently upgrading MFK. thanks! -neo
Madou

Madou

Polypterus
MFK Member
Nov 22, 2013
859
334
87
Belgique
Hey guys!

I'm leaning more and more towards a full CA/SA tank now that my population in the 180g seems to be mostly just that, and I kind of want to see the natural guarding behavior of convicts without dedicating the 90g to them.

Population is:
- Marbled Motoro (sub-adult)
- 2 Oscars (juvies)
- 2 Pikes (sold as strigata, could possibly be lenticulatas) (juvie)
- 1 EBJD
- 1 Pink tail chalceus

Would a few Convicts be able to breed in that tank, and would the rest of the population be able to eat enough of the fry to keep them in check and avoid convicts taking over the tank?

Alternatively, any other beautiful and interesting cichlid I could add in that tank with or instead of the convicts?

Thanks :)
 
Madou said:
Hey guys!

I'm leaning more and more towards a full CA/SA tank now that my population in the 180g seems to be mostly just that, and I kind of want to see the natural guarding behavior of convicts without dedicating the 90g to them.

Population is:
- Marbled Motoro (sub-adult)
- 2 Oscars (juvies)
- 2 Pikes (sold as strigata, could possibly be lenticulatas) (juvie)
- 1 EBJD
- 1 Pink tail chalceus

Would a few Convicts be able to breed in that tank, and would the rest of the population be able to eat enough of the fry to keep them in check and avoid convicts taking over the tank?

Alternatively, any other beautiful and interesting cichlid I could add in that tank with or instead of the convicts?

Thanks :)
Click to expand...

In the 180 or the 90? Either way, I'm going to say no. A 180 really isn't THAT big of a tank, you're going to have like...3 feet or so either way from where they decide to breed over by the convicts. If they decide to lay on one side then your other fish might have a foot or two safe space, if they lay in the middle...
 
I meant the 180, and that makes perfect sense.
Though, the way my tank is set up, there's nothing but a few thin pieces of wood on one side, while the right end side is all bogwood and tall plants, so I would imagine they'd take hold of the hollow log which is at the far end of one side.

It's 200 long, 70 deep (6.6', 2.3' I believe).

If that still doesn't cut it, any CA/SA fish (not especially cichlid) that I may find interesting? I like odd behaviors, to be fair.
 
I would say that you are more than fully stocked as it is.
Just the 2 oscars and the ray are going to need an upgrade in my opinion. Definitely would not add more fish.
 
The thing is fish rarely do what you think they will. If you predict they will breed in the hollow log they probably will end up taking over a completely diffrent part of the tank that you never would have expected. If you really want to breed them I would set up another tank and then catch the babies for live food to keep the population umder control.
I think convicts are under rated, I'd like to set up a 90G biotope for a pair one day but again, what to do with all the fry?
 
Ogertron3000 said:
The thing is fish rarely do what you think they will. If you predict they will breed in the hollow log they probably will end up taking over a completely diffrent part of the tank that you never would have expected. If you really want to breed them I would set up another tank and then catch the babies for live food to keep the population umder control.
I think convicts are under rated, I'd like to set up a 90G biotope for a pair one day but again, what to do with all the fry?
Click to expand...
That's my issue, I'm afraid fry survives and takes over my main tank. Sure my fish will eat babies, but will they catch them all? Even if I set up the 90 (which i'm more and more thinking of doing) for a pair, fry will have to go. I don't fancy realizing 2 months in that I have a pair of convicts settling in, too big to be eaten, ready to spawn. xD
 
I don't think you can avoid it happening. If you catch all the fry and chuck them into the main tank I'm pretty sure some will survive especially if there's plants and wood and other hiding spots, before you know it a nice new pair to add to your collection!
 
I think if you keep the right predators with them you won't have a problem.
Small to medium sized Pimelodus make short work of fry. Unfortunately they won't be biotope correct if that matters to you.
If you can find astyanax tetras they would be biotope correct and are fry predators in nature.
 
Stanzzzz7 said:
I think if you keep the right predators with them you won't have a problem.
Small to medium sized Pimelodus make short work of fry. Unfortunately they won't be biotope correct if that matters to you.
If you can find astyanax tetras they would be biotope correct and are fry predators in nature.
Click to expand...
The hobby being what it is, we mostly only see the blind version in here, which I don't find particularily attractive, and can't imagine would be very appropriate for what I need it to do.

I don't need it to be biotope correct, but I am not sure pims would fit with their over-activity at all times.
 
Pimelodus blochii are not as active as pictus in my experience.
Either way they would not be unsettling to convicts.
There are many astyanax species available not just the blind version of mexicana.
BA tetras look simular and would do the same job.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
MonsterFishKeepers.com
Top Bottom