I have a problem of a overstock of convicts cichlids. I have a 640 gallon Cichlid pond. Started with 6 Oscars, 1 Jaguar Cichlid, 2 Jack Dempseys, 1 Red Devil, and 6 Convicts. The purpose of getting the convicts was for the Oscars to eat the convict babies. That never happened. Now I have over 100 convicts. I am thinking of getting a Red Tail Catfish for awhile to clean them out. Then give it away when done. Would that idea work?
Need Catfish to Eat Convict Babies
- Thread starter flyalaska
- Start date
I do not recommend getting a red tail catfish to eat your excess fish and then pawning it off on someone else. If you’d be interested in setting up another smaller tank, around 60 breeder then a gulper catfish would be perfect.
From what I've read, oscars aren't pure piscivores so I'd recommend trying to get a better piscivore.
As for cichlids, if you stick to Americans, I would recommend salvini and pikes. If you're able to accommodate African cichlids, I would recommend h. elongatus along with the various predatory haps.
Adding anything into the tank to eat a particular fish is risky. It isn’t likely to stop at the convicts and could soon pose issue for another of the fish.
I agree that the best option is setting up a separate tank for a predatory fish and using the convicts as feeders for them.
I agree that the best option is setting up a separate tank for a predatory fish and using the convicts as feeders for them.
I have a med. size red tail 18" , a hybrid 24" and a TSN 36" in my 5000 gallon tank. I also have a large group of convicts...100+. The large cats and my other large fish don't even notice the convicts. Peacock Bass may take them out....as well as anything else it can fit in it's mouth.
Depending on how big the juvies are you want eaten, I had some pictus that would try to swallow anything their size or smaller, mini vacuums, and fun to keep
Thank you for all the info.I plan to get rid of the adult convicts. I cant catch the babies. Even with traps, only was able to catch a dozen or two. I will look into some smaller cats.