Got my first cichlid!

[labowner]

I'm excited..I've had a community tank for a few years now and finally have another tank cycled and ready to go and got my first black convict (We named him AKON, you hip-hop music enthusiasts should understand that one, I loved it!) Anyway, can he survive on just tropical flakes for a week or so cuz I walked off and forgot to get him his own food and I won't be getting back to the store for a while. Thanks!:dance2:

[jm1212]

make sure that they sink so he can get some, and as long as he eats them he should be fine for a week until you can get him the cichlid pelets.

[grannylvsfish]

yeah, mine love them, and he refuses to eat any where but the top of the water , so what ever falls he will not retrieve. my other fish do so thats good. I feed mine, brine shrimp 2 times a week, blood worms 2 time a week, krill 1 time a week and flakes the rest of the time. any my cichlids refuse to eat pettots, drives me crazy!

[labowner]

Stupid question..but is a fish gonna get lonely if hes all by himself? This is just a 20 gal tank and he's a tiny fella so I figured he'd be fine with that amount of space as long as I don't crowd him in with others, but theres not another thing in there except a sweet little algae eater. I thought I'd just let him have the tank to himself or would he prefer company?!!

[jm1212]

cons are fine by themselves, and in fact, in that size of tank, he might make it so he is the only fish in the tank if you add anything.

[fishfreak317]

yeah i would just keep the one con in that 20. unless you were looking to breed them. i've had cons eat purty much anything aval to them. :joe:

[aoscar]

get a female, they will breed and be more entertaining than a single fish but add nothing else. As most cichlids they will eat most anything that fits in their mouth.

[nomadofthehills]

I would add a school of tetras. He will feel safer, and as he gets bigger he might have some nutrious munchies :)