View Full Version : Convicts
PumaWard
08-31-2003, 1:45 PM
I have done a lot of reading up on convicts and have become very interested in them, but I want to know about what you guys think of them. More specifically, I want to know what the behavior of a single female would be like. I would also like to know what you would consider non-central/south american cichlid species would be compatible with them (no largish fish either :) ). All behavior information that I have found is taken from a breeding pair or a single male, so I want to know what the females are like (if they are different tempered, etc).
Thanks in advance :D
My female Con was very calm. However, she would stand up for herself when she was being picked on. Unfortunately, she was no match to my female JD, who was 2" bigger than her. Yeup, my JD killed my con.
Anyway, IMO, female Con is pretty calm. Con is hardy fish, but I will not try to mix a CA cichlid with African Cichlid. Their language is totally different. I don't know how they will react to each other.
PumaWard
08-31-2003, 8:57 PM
I've read somethings about people successfully keeping cons in with tetras and other small fish...
Are the females THAT calm usually :D. I only ask because I'm thinking of upgrading my paradise fish's tank to a larger one. You mentioned they were calm, but do you think a female would tear my paradise to shreds or leave well enough alone? If I had to, coule I divide the tank?
Well, now...I don't know how they will react toward paradise fish. However, I have never seen my female con chased my bala shark, gouramis, and the giant danios. She just swam around and minded her own business.
I guess the most important thing is to make sure there are enough room for other fish to run for their life if there is the need to. Also, there got to have some hidding places. Make sure none of the fish can fit into the Con's mouth. I've never tried Con with other fish but cichlid. If need to put in divider, yeah, that would be best.
DarthV
08-31-2003, 9:36 PM
What sized tank? My male convict rules my 55gal with a JD and GT. The GT has a good inch on the convict, but the convict still beats the tar out of the GT. Good thing I have a 50gal coming this week to move my caprinte and probably the convict into. I have read stories about psycho female convicts as well... but the females might be better in a community tank...just as long as they don't start becoming territorial thinking that it is going to spawn.
PumaWard
09-01-2003, 6:25 AM
What size tank do you guys recommend? Everything I have seen says 25-30 gallons per pair, would a 20 gallon be enough for a single female? I woulnd't want to buy one and then have it be unhappy.
What kind of tank set up do they like? (Rift, planted, completely driftwood, mix? Do they really care?)
Thanks for your guys help again :D
stoneage
09-01-2003, 7:09 AM
I know you are interested in female convicts, but I thought you might be interested in how a single male behaves. Currently I have a 5 inch male convict in a community tank with the following a 2inch Severum, a1.5 inch geophagus, 4 giant danios, a 3inch plec, 3 small catfish and a 6inch polypterus. The tank is a 55gallon one, all the fish get on very well, there is a bit of pushing and shoving at feeding time but thats about it. The convict is the king of the tank but he is totally soft (I suspect a lot of these stories of convict aggression are related to breeding pairs).
In conclusion I think a lot of it depends on the personality of the individual fish involved.
DarthV
09-01-2003, 8:30 AM
A 20gal would be find for a single female or male... a 30gal would be the better size for a breeding pair.
Stoneage is right, each fish will have its own personality...but for the most part, a male convict (and a good number of females) will be on the rough side.
PumaWard
09-01-2003, 11:54 AM
Thank you all for the info, I really appreciate it :). I Think I am going to try a female when I get a 20 with the fish I have. If it doesn't work, I'll get a divider or take someone back to the fish store.
Do females display the yellow/orange coloring and such when they are not in breeding mode? When they are young? Are cons messy?
Sorry for so many questions, I just keep thinking of more and more :D.