i have a single 2" convist in my 72 gal bow i was thinking about addind a severum and some firemouths and maybe a few more convicts, ive also heeard alot of poeple say larger livebearers like mollies and swords can hold thier own in such a tank, this true? ANy thoughts on what else to add?
convict needs a friend
- Thread starter SMagin123
- Start date
Another convict would be the last thing I'd put in there personally. They are bound to pair off and breed (if there is a male and female), then terrorize everything in the area. Your tank may be big enough to pull it off, but I think some other assorted small cichlids would be a better choice. Livebearers wouldn't be at the top of my list, either. They're pretty defenseless against a territorial convict. Giant danios or rainbows might be better at staying out of the way.
Don't think of another fish in terms of "friend" and these choices will be much more simple, IMO.
Don't think of another fish in terms of "friend" and these choices will be much more simple, IMO.
I like using platys and sword tails for dithers in my tanks as they're from central america just like the majority of the cichlids I keep. But thats just me, I like keeping fish from the same general areas. I dont keep them with cons though, convicts, cutteri and spilirus are NASTY little fish when they're spawning. I had luck for several months with danios and cons until they started spawning. Even then most of the danios lasted through a few spawns until the killed them one by one.
Unless you're ready to deal with tons of fry, I would not mix any male/female combos of convicts, firemouths or dempseys. These fish can and will cross breed. Also, Sev's tend to get rather large, just keep that in mind
Unless you're ready to deal with tons of fry, I would not mix any male/female combos of convicts, firemouths or dempseys. These fish can and will cross breed. Also, Sev's tend to get rather large, just keep that in mind
alright thanks for the input, i did not really mean friend in litteral terms it was more along the lines of tankamte, the tank is very bare with just this little 2" guy all buy himelsef. So know that i should know i should not be putting another convict what would yall recoomned?
Whats available in your area? Do you have a good fish store nearby or will your fish come more from places like Petsmart and Petco? Sometimes, they get some interesting fish by mistake! But they'll also sell you fish that are not a good idea to mix. My local PM is actually selling petenia's and saying they'll only grow 8"...uhg
A dozen giant danios can hang in there, and tend to stay at the surface. Otherwise, another similar cichlid, but one (likely your convict) could bully the other relentlessly. They tend to view similar species as more of a threat than plecos, danios, etc, in my experience.
I have a cichlid of the Red Jewel variety that enjoys the company of a convict. I know there are a ton of jewel cichlid varieties. I don't know which one I have. It's got blue specs on the face, yellow fins that are trimmed in red, and the body has a tendency to turn red when action is going on in the tank. The jewel is bigger but not by a whole lot.
mostlycichlids
Cichlid Specialist
I think you might be looking for an agressive tank mate.
I would find a colorful male Jack dempsey to throw in there. Convicts get along fine with them unless they pair off.
Plus JDs will eat feeders as they get larger.
I would find a colorful male Jack dempsey to throw in there. Convicts get along fine with them unless they pair off.
Plus JDs will eat feeders as they get larger.