Convict scared my pleco to death

[tantric]

I bought a pleco it was quite small and my convict killed it somehow....I think it harassed it to death. It died near the little castle it was completely intact, no visible injuries etc... I wanted the pleco to clean the algae, probably an uneducated decision on my part but I did ask the pet store if it would be ok. The concvict was huge and the pleco was very tiny, would that have soemthing to do with it?

My tank is small only 20 gallons so I am wondering what I can put in with my convict?

 

[honda237]

how long ago was it that you did a water change? the convict could have killed it but it also could be your water quality. i would probably put another convict of oppisite sex but depends on if it is a 20 long or high. i have a pair in my 20 long.

 

[tantric]

I really don't want to get into breeding...., its just a small 20 gallon tank kit from Walmart. We originally had a few feeder fish in there for my son then my husband went and brought home this convict. It harassed the little feeder fish to death and completely took over the tank. I was initially very upset but have grown quite fond of the convict...its quite entertaining to watch.

So we get algae and I go to the pets store to get advice because as I mentioned I am quite new to this and she suggests the pleco. I bring it home put it in the bag in the water and let it out eventually. Everything seemed fine and the pleco was on the side of the tank, then the convict started to nip at it. I go in the room later and its on the floor dead!

Anyways the water was changed the same day, my son nearly killed the convict as he took it out of the water, so I am wondering if it was just a kamakazie of events that led to this? I also moved the convicts castle, moved the rocks around that it moves every where and makes mountains in the tank and added a plant. Maybe just too much for one day....but the convict survived!

So now what to add to the tank...or should I just give my convict away and get goldfish as my dear sister in law suggested?

 

[tantric]

I forgot to mention that I did the water change as well that day, so maybe I did that wrong however my convict was doing fine...but that convict is a trooper as sometimes I find its hard to take care of in addition to my newborn,

Thanks for all and any suggestions, its much appreciated.

 

[honda237]

ya most people dont want to get a male because of that reason. more than likely the convict harrassed it to much but i wouldn't get rid of the convict for a goldfish no comparison in personality. as long as you change 5 gallons every week you will be fine and plus change the filter every so often. i would just leave the convict. but you could try taking some water out of the tank in a bucket and put the convict in the bucket then rearrange everything then add the pleco wait atleast 30 minutes the add the convict back.

 

[tantric]

oh my....I really have neglected my convict. I have only recently done a water change and we have had it going for 8 months. Thanks for the tip. And your absolutely right....a gold fish would not compare to our sweetiepie connie. I am pretty sure its a female as it had pink on its belly.

 

[honda237]

ya just do the water changes like i said and she will be pretty cool fish and plenty of fun for you to watch. Ya thats a female. i think convicts are pretty cool. i have 3 right now and some fry that just hatched yesterday.