Convict/Rainbow Biotope

[Quo Vadis]

So I have been throwing around ideas for trying to do a few simple biotopes, using fish I (mostly) already have, and extra tanks I have. My thinking is that then if I get bored with the setup, or it becomes too much to take care of I can just shuffle the fish back to some of my big community tanks. I had thrown around the idea for awhile of doing a Con biotope because I think they are very underrated fish, and because they are cheap! I only have one Con right now but I really like her a lot. I did some research and found that Rainbow cichlids, (which I also have), overlap with Cons, and that Green Swordtails would be a correct dither. So I am thinking of giving these a try in a 40g breeder, but I am wondering about how many of each fish you would suggest. I was think 3-4 Cons, 4-5 Rainbows, and a school of Swords. I want enough cichlids to spread out any aggression.

I would like to scape it something like this:

(Looks like smooth limestone?)

Any ideas of feedback?

 

[elting44]

In a 40 breeder you are going to have aggression issues once the convicts pair off. If you do all males you could maybe do 1-2 male convict, 2 male rainbows and then a school of swords.

I have a 55g with a pair of convicts and 2 female rainbows. I'll post some pictures shortly. The convicts have free swimming fry in the tank now, and the rainbows have been forced into a pretty small area of the tank.

Also the stones are river rock, limestone will increase the pH significantly. Before you add any stones, make sure you put a few drops of vinegar on it, making sure there is no fizzing. Then scrub the stones and boil them for 10 minutes

 

[Quo Vadis]

Thanks for the advice! I think maybe I will do all one sex of Cons, maybe females since they are smaller and I think they are a prettier color. I know limestone will raise the PH, but that is what the texture looks like. I know CA has harder, higher PH water, so I am not sure if limestone would be good or not. Normally I avoid it, but since limestone would be correct for the region...

 

[newworld]

I have found them both in lake nicaragua and Xiloa, both areas were shallow and full of weeds....