Can a convict live in a 20 gallon tank?

[Fish Master]

If you don't already have it, I would get a female. They have more color, and stay a little smaller. And a single convict with some snails would be fine in a 20 long.

actually it's a 20 gallon high

 

[67chevelle]

actually it's a 20 gallon high

I would not put a male or female convict in a 20 high for long term. Not enough swimming room IMO.

 

[Fish Master]

So can a female convict with some mystery snails live in a 20 gallon?

 

[jpappy789]

Mystery snails may be harassed if not eaten.

 

[Fish Master]

Mystery snails may be harassed if not eaten.

good to know. So can just the female with nothing else in the tank.

 

[67chevelle]

good to know. So can just the female with nothing else in the tank.

Nope. It is enough water for a single convict, but not enough swimming room. A 20 gallon long would work.

 

[jasonfishaddict]

We're talking about a single Convict Cichlid. Cichlids don't swim around aimlessly the way schooling fish do. They are inquisitive and purposeful. I've successfully kept a breeding pair of Convicts in a 15g which has the same footprint.


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[Jayhawk]

I agree that a single female would be fine in there.

Eric

 

[67chevelle]

We're talking about a single Convict Cichlid. Cichlids don't swim around aimlessly the way schooling fish do. They are inquisitive and purposeful. I've successfully kept a breeding pair of Convicts in a 15g which has the same footprint.


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For how long? Cons will breed at 2 inches. They will max out between 6 and 8 inches as adults. One adult would be cramped in a 20 tall. Sure it could be done. As many cichlids as I have kept and still keep, I would hardly say they don't swim around aimlessly. I have had convicts that used every inch of a 55 gallon. I have little tiny shellie cichlids that are all over a 29 gallon. If you have a cichlid that does not swim much, then I would say it is sick, or in a tank that is too small.

 

[Fish Master]

For how long? Cons will breed at 2 inches. They will max out between 6 and 8 inches as adults. One adult would be cramped in a 20 tall. Sure it could be done. As many cichlids as I have kept and still keep, I would hardly say they don't swim around aimlessly. I have had convicts that used every inch of a 55 gallon. I have little tiny shellie cichlids that are all over a 29 gallon. If you have a cichlid that does not swim much, then I would say it is sick, or in a tank that is too small.

Actually males max out at around 6 inches, females at around 4 inches.