I think what you guys have mentioned is the other reason for using convicts for targets as the danios etc. don't claim territory. If you need target fish, not dither fish, there is a difference as Harry mentioned. It sounds like Drake, especially, has dithers, there would be no need for a target in a tank with only one cichlid.
dither/target fish - other cichlids?
- Thread starter sandal
- Start date
scott: I've never kept festae, but it would seem to me that, given their larger size, they would eventually just kill the convict. Perhaps the generous dimensions of your tank would give the convict room to run, but as another cichlid it would be disinclined to take that option and that's where the mayhem would be likely to begin.
Here are a few other thoughts as to what might work in your tank:
01. A school of 5 good-sized silver dollars might do well. Your tank gives them enough room to run. I keep silver dollars in with all of my large cichlids, and have yet to lose one to cichlid predation.
02. Or, you could protect your convict with a tank divider. Drawback: somewhat unsightly.
03. Or, you could try putting a mirror at the far end of the tank.
04. Or, a large tank adjacent with another pair of something else in there.
05. Or, a few large synodontis (decorus comes to mind). Just give them some lengths of pipe to retreat to, and they would be fine.
In general, however, I will just say that the larger the tank, the more things are likely to work out without any aggression at all. My 400 has two breeding pairs of Vieja synspila, a large Amphilophus citrinellum, four adult pacus, two large Synodontis angelicus, one Distichodus sexfasciatus, a Jack Dempsey, a marbled sailfin pleco, and a Hypselacara temporalis, and although everyone jockeys for position, there are never any serious fights.
Here are a few other thoughts as to what might work in your tank:
01. A school of 5 good-sized silver dollars might do well. Your tank gives them enough room to run. I keep silver dollars in with all of my large cichlids, and have yet to lose one to cichlid predation.
02. Or, you could protect your convict with a tank divider. Drawback: somewhat unsightly.
03. Or, you could try putting a mirror at the far end of the tank.
04. Or, a large tank adjacent with another pair of something else in there.
05. Or, a few large synodontis (decorus comes to mind). Just give them some lengths of pipe to retreat to, and they would be fine.
In general, however, I will just say that the larger the tank, the more things are likely to work out without any aggression at all. My 400 has two breeding pairs of Vieja synspila, a large Amphilophus citrinellum, four adult pacus, two large Synodontis angelicus, one Distichodus sexfasciatus, a Jack Dempsey, a marbled sailfin pleco, and a Hypselacara temporalis, and although everyone jockeys for position, there are never any serious fights.
That synodontis looks pretty cool, now to only find one! I currently have 3 silver dollars in the tank and some giant danios. I am waiting to see how this turns out before trying the convict. Thanks for the tips, I think I will add some silver dollars and try and find a synodontis, gives me a cleaner fish too. Thanks for the tips.
I mentioned S. decorus in particular because it is one of the largest, and generally inexpensive (well, relatively speaking) when found. S. angelicus also gets pretty large, but is a bit more pricey.
But I wouldn't say for sure that other, smaller synodontis wouldn't work. For example, I have some S. ocellifer in a tank with a single V. synspila, and they seem to be doing OK despite the fact that they're smaller (about 6" overall).
Other synodontis that you could look at that might work would be S eupterus , S. ornatipinnis , and S. camelopardalis . I have a couple of others that I really like, too, but am unable to definitively identify (as well as S. multifasciatus and S. petriicola in my Tanganyikan tanks).
If you can't tell, I really like synodontis. However, any more of this talk and I'll have to toss this thread over to catfish, which would really confuse everyone unless they read all the way to the end.
But I wouldn't say for sure that other, smaller synodontis wouldn't work. For example, I have some S. ocellifer in a tank with a single V. synspila, and they seem to be doing OK despite the fact that they're smaller (about 6" overall).
Other synodontis that you could look at that might work would be S eupterus , S. ornatipinnis , and S. camelopardalis . I have a couple of others that I really like, too, but am unable to definitively identify (as well as S. multifasciatus and S. petriicola in my Tanganyikan tanks).
If you can't tell, I really like synodontis. However, any more of this talk and I'll have to toss this thread over to catfish, which would really confuse everyone unless they read all the way to the end.
I mentioned S. decorus in particular because it is one of the largest, and generally inexpensive (well, relatively speaking) when found. S. angelicus also gets pretty large, but is a bit more pricey.
But I wouldn't say for sure that other, smaller synodontis wouldn't work. For example, I have some S. ocellifer in a tank with a single V. synspila, and they seem to be doing OK despite the fact that they're smaller (about 6" overall).
Other synodontis that you could look at that might work would be S eupterus , S. ornatipinnis , and S. camelopardalis . I have a couple of others that I really like, too, but am unable to definitively identify (as well as S. multifasciatus and S. petriicola in my Tanganyikan tanks).
If you can't tell, I really like synodontis. However, any more of this talk and I'll have to toss this thread over to catfish, which would really confuse everyone unless they read all the way to the end.
But I wouldn't say for sure that other, smaller synodontis wouldn't work. For example, I have some S. ocellifer in a tank with a single V. synspila, and they seem to be doing OK despite the fact that they're smaller (about 6" overall).
Other synodontis that you could look at that might work would be S eupterus , S. ornatipinnis , and S. camelopardalis . I have a couple of others that I really like, too, but am unable to definitively identify (as well as S. multifasciatus and S. petriicola in my Tanganyikan tanks).
If you can't tell, I really like synodontis. However, any more of this talk and I'll have to toss this thread over to catfish, which would really confuse everyone unless they read all the way to the end.
I found some s. eupterus. Would you recommend say, three of these (feel free to insert your own number), or hold out for a larger fish. If I build a cave I am thinking PVC, any suggestions on disguise? Sorry for the catfish questions, I'll go to another forum if you want.
I really like S. eupterus, and with three for the festae to divide their attentions among, they will probably do fine as long as they are decent sized to begin with. For hiding places, I always use the ceramic "log" sections with the hole in the middle, but sufficiently large PVC pipe (perhaps with side holes drilled for better ventilation) would probably be OK too. Bury it in rocks if you can, both to hold it in place and to disguise it. Granite or basalt, with the more angular edges, work better for this than river rock.
Another synodontis to consider might be S. schoutedeni. I mention that just in case the store you went to has those, too.
Another synodontis to consider might be S. schoutedeni. I mention that just in case the store you went to has those, too.
Okay, I got the tank set up coming together in my head. Luckily in Georgia most field rock is granite or something similar. Can I go with different species of synodontis? I heard they fight with conspecifics. Oh, and the festae are only about two inches so I have some time to figure out what I am doing with targets. Thanks for all of the tips, this is really helping me alot, I am really getting in to this synodontis idea.
I have never had problems with conspecific aggression amongst my synodontis. On the other hand, I also have mixed species in several tanks and that isn't a problem, either.
The size of your tank will allow them plenty of room to work things out (both between each other and with the cichlids as well). Bigger is better!
The size of your tank will allow them plenty of room to work things out (both between each other and with the cichlids as well). Bigger is better!
