hello everbody, i have been keeping cichlids for a little over a year now. currently i have 1 55g for my JD alone, here he is if u would like to see him http://s1096.photobucket.com/albums...37/jefal/my%20JD/?action=view¤t=010.jpg .i would eventually like to pair him but first i want to get some experience breeding something easier. the first fish i ever kept were convicts. 1 was killed by my JD and i gave the other 2 away. i have 2 empty 20g high tanks and was thinking of using 1 of them for a convict pair. my questions for right now is would this be sufficient tank size for a convict pair, or should i pick up a 20 long or a 29g instead (funds are low), and also should i go with sand instead of gravel for a substrate? and also is sand harder to maintain than gravel? thank you to those of you that read through all of this and any other advice for tank setup is more than appreciated.
Tank for Convict Pair?
- Thread starter jefal
- Start date
20 long would be a lot better, and is still a bit small IMO but could work. 40 breeder would be ideal. Sand is easier to maintain than gravel IMO.
i have thought of getting a 40 but i would also have to buy new filter heater and air pump to run one, which i dont have money for. thats why i was thinkin a 29 or 20 long (i have all that stuff rated up to 40g). although i know convicts are really aggressive and i dont want to cause any unnecesary harm to fish in my care so maybe i will wait til i can save for a new setup. thanks for the quick response
Depending on your tank size and number of tankmates, things could really change once your Convicts begin breeding. they are generally okay with each other in same sex situations or when not breeding though.
To the OP, check Craigslist for a 40 breeder or some other larger tank. I find them very cheap on CL and sometimes for free. Convicts are smaller cichlids but I think too many times people keep them in very small aquariums for far too long.
i cant speak for where your from but i check craigslist alomst everyday to find close to nothing under $200, which is not in my budget right now, as far as fish tanks go in my area of upstate NY. thats why i have given up the idea of CL. but like i said i dont want to cause any unnecesary harm to fish under my care which is why i will probly wait and save to do it right. just saying dont mean to sound like a jerk if it comes off that way. i do respect opinions of more seasoned fish keepers, although my dad told me if it fits do wut u want. he used to keep two JD in a 20 high til his xgirlfriends son stabbed them both. i'm just trying to find a reasonable way for myself to further my collection til better opputunties to arsie
No offense taken. I understand that prices can vary greatly in different areas and regions. Tanks of that size are easy to come by here for next to nothing. Many people keep fish in inadequate aquariums, mostly because they just don't know any better or they have been taught incorrectly. We all learn something new in this hobby every day. So it's a continual education. I'm sure you and your stock will be much happier with a larger tank. Best of luck to you!
bummer on the craigslist, you can find decent setups 55 gals and up for 100-400 here without lights most of the time
Yeah, craigslist really varies a lot by location. I got my 125 glass complete for $150. I've seen other locations where you can find people asking that much for a 10 gallon.