to all you cichlid experts out there (pics)

m8r8j · Oct 1, 2011

alright guys just finished setting up my 29 gallon tank (30x18x12) and im gonna stock it with a breeding pair of convicts and a bn or rubber lip pleco! (yes i know this is the minimum tank for a pair of convicts, but is adding a pleco pushing it?)

i have a fluval 205, a fluval m150 heater, and a 2 bulb t5 fixture.

(i added cycled media into the filter)

its got a bunch of driftwood in it also.

so i was reading up on doing the convicts, and i was at petsmart tonight and hey were on sale, so i bought 5 of them (i was reading you buy 5-6 and wait for 2 to pair off)

now heres all my questions:

1. how long will they be a pair for? life?
2. how many times will they spawn?
3. how do i go about getting the rest of the convicts out without stressing out the pair once they do pair up?
4. can i leave the other 3 in once the 2 pair?
5. do i have to do anything special for them to lay eggs? (like a flat rock?)
6. does it stress them out if im in there scooping out their babies? hahah

i think thats about it for now, but heres a pic of my tank (a little cloudy still from adding the black sand tonight)

Big Mike · Oct 2, 2011

I have the same heater and it looks like you have it too far in the water!!! Unplug it and move it up. There is a max and minimum water line.

m8r8j · Oct 2, 2011

nah its actually fully submersible.. ive read many threads on it, look up fluval m series fully submersible.

apparently it was a mistake from the favtory

Big Mike · Oct 2, 2011

m8r8j said:
nah its actually fully submersible.. ive read many threads on it, look up fluval m series fully submersible.

apparently it was a mistake from the favtory

Cool I did not know that. I checked and you are correct. Sorry about that.

allaboutfish · Oct 2, 2011

personally id put the driftwood in a corner the tallest in the back slanting down itd make a more dramatic effect. why exactly are you doing convicts? its VERY hard to GIVE the fry away. you could do a pair of angelfish in that size tank and you would actually be able to sell themm but if you like the convicts thats cool too.

steffish · Oct 2, 2011

m8r8j said:
alright guys just finished setting up my 29 gallon tank (30x18x12) and im gonna stock it with a breeding pair of convicts and a bn or rubber lip pleco! (yes i know this is the minimum tank for a pair of convicts, but is adding a pleco pushing it?)

I would leave out the plec. Mating convicts will harass it unmercifully , or kill it.

i have a fluval 205, a fluval m150 heater, and a 2 bulb t5 fixture.

Just wondering why so much light? Are you planning on adding plants? (Convicts chew & dig)

(i added cycled media into the filter)

its got a bunch of driftwood in it also.

so i was reading up on doing the convicts, and i was at petsmart tonight and hey were on sale, so i bought 5 of them (i was reading you buy 5-6 and wait for 2 to pair off)

now heres all my questions:

1. how long will they be a pair for? life?
This I'm not sure.
2. how many times will they spawn?
Once they start, every couple of weeks.
3. how do i go about getting the rest of the convicts out without stressing out the pair once they do pair up?
Everybody else will be huddled on the other side of the tank. You can put a temporary divider between so you can take out the others.
4. can i leave the other 3 in once the 2 pair?
Probably not.
5. do i have to do anything special for them to lay eggs? (like a flat rock?)
No.

6. does it stress them out if im in there scooping out their babies? hahah
They will try to protect their babies by signaling them to hide. And then they will go after You!

i think thats about it for now, but heres a pic of my tank (a little cloudy still from adding the black sand tonight)

View attachment 184530

The tank looks a little stark. They may prefer a bit more cover. Or just rearrange things on you. Personally I would add a black background, but the tank looks good to start.
Also make sure that you have a male & female mating. I have seen two females hook up & one lays eggs(not fertile).
Their behavoirs can be very interesting. Good luck & have fun!

jpierce3 · Oct 2, 2011

m8r8j said:
is adding a pleco pushing it?

depends on your cons, but they could end up beating it to death once they start spawning

Now heres all my questions:

1. how long will they be a pair for? life?

Yes and no. Depends on if the male ends the females life early

2. how many times will they spawn?

Too many to count. They can live 10+ years and spawn every few weeks.

3. how do i go about getting the rest of the convicts out without stressing out the pair once they do pair up?

Very carefully

Just pay attention to who is who and net them out. no biggie

4. can i leave the other 3 in once the 2 pair?

No, well yeah you could technically, but the outcome won't be good.

5. do i have to do anything special for them to lay eggs? (like a flat rock?)

They actually prefer caves. They will lay on the top of them for the most part

6. does it stress them out if im in there scooping out their babies? hahah

Maybe a little. Usually, I would wait until I could tell the parents wanted them out of the tank and I would siphon them into a bucket.

Have a 10 gallon "time out tank" for the female. There are a lot of times that the male will be ready to go again the not the female. The result is usually he will beat the crack out of her and may even kill her. Kind of depends on the their personality, but always something you will have to be aware of.

m8r8j · Oct 2, 2011

two are working together to defend the spot under the big wood but how long should i wait before i take the rest out?? id really like to try to leave them all in

jpierce3 · Oct 2, 2011

how big are they?

m8r8j · Oct 2, 2011

maybe 1.5" - 1 7/8"


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to all you cichlid experts out there (pics)

m8r8j

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m8r8j

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allaboutfish

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m8r8j

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