I definitely think cichlids are out of the question if the cons breed. I'd say maybe a raphael cat, a pleco (maybe a rubberlip or an orange seam), and say about 7 giant danios or maybe columbian tetras (grow bigger, nice coloration)
Tankmates
- Thread starter cullens089
- Start date
Very true. A breeding pair of Cons can harass much larger and aggressive fish. There's not much room to get away in a 55 either. Stick with tetras or barbs. Adding a few clusters of long plants can help to provide the smaller fish with places to get out of sight of the Cons too. Try to remove as much fry as possible. They will readily breed with siblings and cause even more problems.
Just saying, but I've got 3 breeding pairs of convict cichlids in my 125 gallon tank, and everyone gets along fine. Usually the eggs are eaten within 24 hours. Tankmates are 2 green severums, 3 blood parrots (two of which are a breeding pair), a red zebra mbuna, and 5 tinfoil barbs.
You are right, it's not impossible to keep cichlids with a breeding pair of Cons. I've done it myself before. But you increase your chances of having stressed, injured, or killed tankmates when you stock a smaller tank with a breeding pair of Cons. In your case, you have at least 17 fish in a 120 gallon. The tank is larger than the OP's and there are plenty of fish to disperse any aggression. Also if the Con eggs are eaten before the fry can hatch, you will not run into the scenarios of multiple pairs attacking each other and other tankmates as their fry forage around the tank. Keeping other cichlids with breeding Cons isn't impossible but I would still discourage against it especially in smaller tanks with only a few tankmates. It's much easier for a pair to pick on one or two fish in a 55 gallon tank.
you dont have to worry about me gettin more cichlids. would the raphael cat eat all the eggs before they hatch or would the cons protect em from the cat?
My Raphael Cat never bothers with any spawns in his tank. A pleco is more likely to eat fish eggs than a Raphael. Most Raphaels prefer quick and easy meals before returning to their hiding spot. Fighting an angry pair of convicts for a few eggs wouldn't normally be the thing for them to attempt. The Cons should keep it away from their eggs and fry.
Don't waste the tank on a breeding pair of convicts... get them a 20 gal tank and use the 55 for something else.
Then get rid of either the male or the female and do an all-male/female tank with other small/medium sized cichlids.
1 Convict
1 Sajica
1 Salvini
1 JD
Or something like that. Breeding convicts is pointless, especially if you have to sacrifice a whole 75g tank for them.
1 Convict
1 Sajica
1 Salvini
1 JD
Or something like that. Breeding convicts is pointless, especially if you have to sacrifice a whole 75g tank for them.
