convicts

[macey_19]

i was thinking of getting a convict, as a centre piece fish, but, i wanna know how big they grow, because i don't wanna make the mistake of geting one and having it out grow my tank

[FiSHx]

how big of a tank you planning to put it in ? Males grow to about 5 inches generally but some are 6-7 inches max. Females are shorter probably growing max about 4-5 inches.

[jm1212]

they get to big for your 7.5 gallon and you shouldnt add anything else to it except for a cory or platy

[macey_19]

i was just doing some research ready for when weget a 75g tank in the new year. it's gunna be something that me and my step dad are gunna work on together, and i am dead set on having a convict just because they look really different and IMO, would make a nice center piece fish in a planted tank.

[fish_freak]

It all depends on what else is in the tank with it. They can be some what aggresive little fish but It seems to me any why that when they have some one bigger than them in the tank they tend to behave better. Maybe thats just me but Mine was a terror when he was in my 30 gallon growing out for the 90 gallon but as soon as he went in with a few fish that could kick his but he mellowed right out. I think he was depresed for a little bit, I kind of ruined his whole world, but he is fine now and quite docile. I wouldnt put one in a community tank full of tetra's and live bearer's but the harder community fish like barbs and danios would certainly hold there own.

[jm1212]

you might want to consider some other cichlids like severum and festivum instead

[macey_19]

would a convict get along with a paradise fish? i mean i love bob (my paradise fish) but because he is to aggressive, i have to give him back to the LFS where i bought him from, and i realy would love to get another paradsie fish at some stage because they really are a beautiful fish.

[macey_19]

i just looked up the two cichlids you suggested jm1212, and the severum to me, looks like a fish with acne problems (no offense to anyone out there that has one) but the festivum, is also a very beautiful cichlid.

[fish_freak]

You must have found a lousy pic of a sevrum. They are ussually quite beautifull fish.
http://www.elmersaquarium.com/image_fish/01_Cichlid__SEVERUM_GREEN_Heros_severus.jpg
http://www.elacuarista.com/secciones/images/severum.jpg
Let me know what you think of these fish. Maybe you dont like them lol but I am just wondering of you looked at a bad pic. There are pleanty of other medium sized cichlids out there that are realativly peacefull most of them commonly available. Look at the firemouth, Jack Dempsey, Blue Acara to name a few

[Cory Lover]

Hello,

Convicts are nice fish, but they can be agressive. They also breed like crazy! That might sound fun to have all those babies, but when you are trying to find good homes for all of them and the petstores won't take them, thats hole other story. Firemouth don't breed as much and are very attractive with their firey throat. Rams are nice and they are pretty and peacful. Angelfish are also good center piece Cichlids.

Cory Lover

[macey_19]

yeah, i think the pic that i stumbled across was an albino, coz it was all white and red, but those two link you gave me fish freak, i have to admit are pretty **** beautiful looking fish. i have come across the firemouth before, and that is also a good lookin cichlid.

[Marinemom]

Convicts can be aggressive if the tank is not big enough given the fact that it is a cichlid and territorial. A better choice would be the Blue Acara. Absolutely georgeous fish and nicer temperment.

Marinemom

[FireDancer7905]

fish_freak, I had a Jack Dempsey that ate everything in the tank, even the bigger fishies, until he was King of an empty kingdom. Are they usually peaceful?

[jm1212]

you mightve just gotten a fish that had a chip on its shoulder.
i had a blue gourami that killed everything- even the bigger fish- that i put in the tank with him. i eventually had to move him to his own tank and then i took him back to the LFS