Convicts

[domino1804]

Hi there
Can anyone give me any information on Convicts?Or does anyone have them and be willing to answer a few questions?
Any good sites?
Thank you

 

[DevilsAdvocate]

I keep cons, what is it your wanting to know exactly?

 

[swampcat]

Convicts are easy to care for , very undemanding. They are aggressive and can be nasty at times. They mate like roaches if you get a pair. Will pair up quite easily. One of the best parents, will defend their young fiercely.

What kind of fish you thinking about puting these with? They tend to fight amongst themselves Let alone others.

I have convicts, way to many infact, I personally wish I had never purchased the original two. I have second ,third and fourth generation cons now. Mine mated and mated so on and so on, have had up to a 1000 or more ,all from two!!!! I have found that no one wants them either, found homes for about twenty. The rest turtle food ,and eight others spread through variuos tanks, and females kept alone for sure!!!!

 

[domino1804]

Hi there
Well i wasnt planning on keeping them with any other fish because iv red they are aggresive and was wondering is it ok to keep one by itself?if not can I keep two females in the same tank?
I dont want to breed them having red again how quickly they multiply.I
What type of tank set ups do they like and foods?
Sand or gravel?
Real or plastic plants?
Thanks alot

 

[DevilsAdvocate]

Hi there
Well i wasnt planning on keeping them with any other fish because iv red they are aggresive and was wondering is it ok to keep one by itself?if not can I keep two females in the same tank?
I dont want to breed them having red again how quickly they multiply.I
What type of tank set ups do they like and foods?
Sand or gravel?
Real or plastic plants?
Thanks alot

You can keep one alone in a tank if you like, go for a male tho..they get bigger and personally I think they look nicer.

Im not sure on keep 2 females together tho, I just have the 2 pairs in seperate tanks, and when I kept the 2 pairs together for a few days the females seemed to bicker alot and the males just sort of sat back and watched.

I feed my cons on flake, bloodworm, brineshrimp, peas, prawns and cichlid pellets..I also feed something else but I forgot the name of it..white larvae I think they are..dunno, they like them anyway.

I have my cons in sand and gravel tanks, They do prefer sand I think as they like to dig alot and the pair that just spawned in my 40 have dug a massive hole its cool to watch tho.

Im not sure on plants tho, chances are as with most cichlids they will just get uprooted or eaten, so if you do decide live plants go for robust species.

Hope that helps.

 

[domino1804]

Thank you u have been alot of help.I dont want to breed so I think il just get the one.
I do have fish at the moment and im going to see if my LFS will swap what I have for one.
I dont know how much they are in the uk but I think the fish I have at the moment are worth about £7-£10.My LFS has been mentioned in Practical fish keeping magizine.they manged to get hold of some rare fish so im sure they can get one for me.
I have gravel in my tank at the moment with and under gravel filter but was thinking of changing to sand and il get another filter.
What type of light do they light.I dont have a flosent light at moment just one that came with my tank a simple light blub.Iv read they dont like much light.
Do they like hiding holes eg flower potts and things to hide in?Can the be trained to take food from my hand if i get them young enough?
Thanks alot

 

[DevilsAdvocate]

Convicts dont really prefer a certain type of lighting, but if your planning on getting live plants you will have to buy better tubes.

My convicts are kept in tanks that have lots of pots and slate, my one pair has spawned in the pots and the others are digging out a pit around their pot in my other tank. They do prefer alot of hiding spaces I think, but they also need the open swimming space as they can get to 6" in size.

My convicts take prawns from my hands so I dont see a reason why yours wouldnt once they get to know you.

Good luck

 

[domino1804]

Cheers thats alot of help.woo hoo cant wait,but really want to have my tank sorted first.Iv got a lot of community fish and a couple of rams.Im going to sell them or see if my LFS will take them.
Once iv done that im going to empty the tanks and give it a good clean get some sand,plants and pots and get the tank set up before I ask my LFS to order one in for me.
What type of sand do I use?
I have some good sand from the early learning center that my dad uses in his discus tanks.
Thanks alot

 

[DevilsAdvocate]

I just used normal play sand, gave it a real good wash first and then dumped it in the tank. It looks great, and it was cheap!

 

[domino1804]

Yeah thats what I was planning on using
thanks uv been a great keep.
will keep everyone updated on how things go