Killer Convict Cichlids

Stix87

Stix87
Jun 14, 2005
154
0
0
38
Tampa Florida
Hello everyone. I HAD two convict cichlids. One male and one female. They lived peacefully for a day or two then the male turned on her and killed her. I bought a new female and over night he killed her too. I wanted to know why he is soo aggressive toward his own kind? I have read that they can kill oscars and other large cichlids and their very aggressive but that they were okay with their own kind. In the time that he has killed the two females he has grown from 1.5'' to 2'' and most of the females my LFA has are only 1''-1.5'' so i cant buy any more b/c he would over power them easily?
Any ideas? Maybe i can raise a male and female in separte tanks until their full grown. Then join them??

I have also added a few(3) cherry barbs and one zebra danio into the tank during the 2nd female's time as dither fish but he doesnt even mind the smaller fish. He just gets mad when i add female convicts.... Maybe ill take him back and start fresh with two new smaller convicts.
 
Hmm.... a 20 gallon is the minimum tank size for these guys. I dont imagine an aggressive male could share a 20 gallon tank.... I dont know much about convicts, hopefully someone else will chime in, but I can imagine that he's only gonna get more aggressive with age. Maybe you could trade him in at the LFS and try to find a mated pair?

Or, upgrade tank size. :)

-Diana
 
...i keep convicts and i too am having the same problem right now im assuming you still only have the male i wouldnt get another female untill you get a bigger tank but if i am wrong a good idea is to on the other side of the tank put LOTS of hiding spots for her i.e. small tera cotta ((SP?)) so that is he starts to pick on her she has somewhere to go hide also moving decor around frequently like when you do water changes will help diminish aggression due to the wont have the exact same territories to defend hope i was on some assistance and good luck convicts are mean little fish but are alot of fun
 
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