Archocentrus Nigrofasciatus

[sic0198]

Anyoway from what I've been reading they sound pretty crazy, I've heard the phrase "homicidal axe murderers" used many times when reading about them. But they look really nice though.

Anyway I have a LINKfor you. What kind of convicts are these. In the blue and in the gray.

 

[demonmagus]

when breeding, they can and will beat up oscars apparently

 

[sic0198]

Will they eat their own babies.

How long will it take the babies to big enough to take to the store?

 

[Gatorbait]

No, they won't eat their babies. They are one of the 3 top parents in the cichlid world and will attack anything, regardless of size, to protect them.

I wouldn't expect the lfs to take them in. There are too many and breed way too easily for that to happen.

 

[sic0198]

Yeah I here their vicous so I'd be interested in keepint the male and female in one tank, by themselves.

 

[Gatorbait]

Yeah I here their vicous so I'd be interested in keepint the male and female in one tank, by themselves.

They aren't that vicious though. If you don't have other fish in the tank you won't see the aggressiveness anyways. They are a protective parent but by most aggressive cichlids they would actually get killed while trying to protect their babies.

If you want a mating pair for viciousness, they aren't the ones to get. If you want them because you like them, that's fine but they will breed every couple weeks and I doubt you'll be able to get rid of the babies.

 

[sic0198]

All the info I've found are about Pink Convicts, are there other kinds of convicts?

Yeah I here their vicous so I'd be interested in keepint the male and female in one tank, by themselves.

They aren't that vicious though. If you don't have other fish in the tank you won't see the aggressiveness anyways. They are a protective parent but by most aggressive cichlids they would actually get killed while trying to protect their babies.

If you want a mating pair for viciousness, they aren't the ones to get. If you want them because you like them, that's fine but they will breed every couple weeks and I doubt you'll be able to get rid of the babies.

Hmmm so they won't be aggressive with them by themselves. Thats alright.

What does everyone do with the babies?

 

[Gatorbait]

Different colors but they are all the same fish.

I guess "vicous" is a relative term compared to what we're used to keeping. If you're used to agreessive and big cichlids, one would say that convicts aren't at all. If you're not used to cichlids, then I guess you could say they are.

What exactly are you looking for in the fish you want to have?

I'm not trying to talk you out of getting one but trying to let you know so you aren't bummed out about your purchase after it's too late is all.

Hmmm so they won't be aggressive with them by themselves. Thats alright.

What does everyone do with the babies?

I don't know what some people do with the babies other than if they have a lot of tanks. I'm sure there are a couple lfs' out there that would take them in but I would think a vast majority wouldn't. They will breed every 2-3 weeks.

Others get convicts to breed for live feeding.

 

[sic0198]

I don't have cichlids of any type, I wasn't really wanting anything aggressive though. I just like convicts. I think they are pretty fish. I kinds wanted to watch they're parental behavior because I think it would be neat. Would a 25 or 30 gallon be enough for a male and female and perhaps a few babies. Say I put 3 big ones in there would their be aggressiveness?

 

[Gatorbait]

30g minimum for a pair. I wouldn't get 3 or the one left out will be harrassed and killed.

Try getting 6 small ones and wait until you get 2 that pair off and take the rest back. You can put some zebra danios in there also. That will allow you to see their protective instincts and they won't be able to catch them as the convicts are too slow.

From your last post, convicts would be something you'd like then.

 

[sic0198]

Would a 30 gallon cubed be fine, I don't think I could get anything bigger.

Wouldn't they attack the danios. Eventually they'd get to 'em though and they'd kill 'em.

How fast would they pair off?

 

[Gatorbait]

Bigger is always better but that should be fine.

In time, they'll probably get the danios but only if the danios get risky. Convicts are really slow fish and can't catch them normally but within the confines of an aquarium it's inevitable.

If you get some tall plants that go to the top and add the danios first, I think they'll be ok for quite a while.

The more you get the faster you'll have a chance of them pairing off. 1-3 weeks probably but may take a month-month and a half. Feed a variety of foods and do 2-3 wc's a week and they won't take long. They're known to breed at an inch and a half to 2".

 

[KathyM]

It's worth noting that convicts breed like rabbits, and it's often impossible to sell babies. Hard to even give them away sometimes, so you'll need a backup plan for what to do with babies so you don't get over run.