Mixing My Convict/s

[mattb22]

I have a 48"x12"x18" tank containg a few convict cichlids and just 1 common plec.

As the cichlids are getting larger I am planning on getting rid of most of them and leaving just 1 or 2. I was wondering what other fish I can put in with these convicts.

Also will most tropical fish shops (aquarists) take some of them off my hands?.

Cheers

Mattb22...

 

[cometcattle]

Welcome to the forum, mattb22.

If you are going to keep a breeding pair (which IMO, is the best way to keep most New World cichlids, because you get to see more of their true behavior. Here is a great pinned thread about mixing aggressive New Worlds), you could probably keep a school of Giant danios or Tiger Barbs. You'd definitely want something fast, and big enough not to get eaten by a full grown convict.

Sorry to say, most fish stores will not take them off you, except for feeders. Convicts are one of the easiest cichlids to breed. Some people keep Convicts for the sole purpose of breeding them to be used as feeders.

 

[guppymonkey]

They do make great feeder fish, mine were giving me so many that my predatory fish couldn't keep up! And a pair of feeders tried to breed in the tank of the fish that was intended to eat them! Some pet stores will take the babies but most of those won't give you anything for them in exchange. If the convicts are large enough most new world cichlids could go with them. I am currently keeping an adult convict male in with my Jack Demsey and my Oscar, for example.

 

[mattb22]

They do make great feeder fish, mine were giving me so many that my predatory fish couldn't keep up! And a pair of feeders tried to breed in the tank of the fish that was intended to eat them! Some pet stores will take the babies but most of those won't give you anything for them in exchange. If the convicts are large enough most new world cichlids could go with them. I am currently keeping an adult convict male in with my Jack Demsey and my Oscar, for example.

But would the tank be suitable to hold most new world cichlids?