Trying to garner some opinions on how Firemouths or Convicts would work as dithers/target fish for larger CA/SA Cichlids (Jags, Red Terror, Red Devil etc)? 
Firemouths or Convicts for Dither/Targets??
- Thread starter Scottfree
- Start date
not sure that those species are a good idea. I wouldn't recommend using them in such a way
Should probably go with a smaller faster fish that can get away. Those fish will get beaten up and killed rather easily depending on the size of your other fish.
Might want to try silver dollars, I have used Tiger barbs in the past with my GT and JD
Good luck
Should probably go with a smaller faster fish that can get away. Those fish will get beaten up and killed rather easily depending on the size of your other fish.
Might want to try silver dollars, I have used Tiger barbs in the past with my GT and JD
Good luck
If you insist on using cichlids then go with convicts. They are at least tougher than FM's but I agree if you're wanting dither fish then I would go with something small and fast like giant danios or Silver Dollars. Why do you need dithers for them, do you already have the fish? The only time I personally have used dithers is to try to coax shy fish out in to the tank instead of hiding.
bombay_biorb;1359668; said:
Expensive feeders? He wants dithers for large Cichlids. Out of those two I'd definitely go for convicts, they might even fight back the little angry bastards.
I actually have used convicts (all males) as dithers for CA/SA's (viejas and a jag), and they worked pretty well. The cons stuck together and seemed to fool the bigger cichlids out of fights with group tactics 
I wouldn't, they could compete for territory so would probably create more aggression then needed. Giant Danios or bigger tetras are better for dithers.
I used to have a tank of 3/4" cons that would gang up on a 4" jaguar. 3 of them would face her and a fourth would hit her from behind....... funniest damn thing I'd ever seen.
The jag is now 9+" and takes no crap from cons smaller then 3". Whooped up on my 5.5 inch con for protecting his babys. The 4" jag in another tank.... eats 1" cons within 1/2 hour of dropping them in the tank. Well most of the con anyway.... I scoop the remaining dead fish out.
The jag is now 9+" and takes no crap from cons smaller then 3". Whooped up on my 5.5 inch con for protecting his babys. The 4" jag in another tank.... eats 1" cons within 1/2 hour of dropping them in the tank. Well most of the con anyway.... I scoop the remaining dead fish out.
Convicts are extremely fast and resilient. Gupps and platys are rather sluggish fish that stand no chance against a red devil or any other big cichlid. Choose a convict between 1-2", throw HIM in and away you go.