New Convicts

[Matt_B]

Hi,
Ive just bought 8 juvinile convict cichlids(1-2inches long) at first they seemed to swim around a lot but now they are just lying on the bottom and hidin. I was wondering what size tank i should keep them in and what arrangements (plants, caves etc) i should have in with them ???

Thanks

 

[offutt_chris]

i myself would not keep 8 convicts in anything less than a 40 gallon. but that is just my opinion, i know you will get some other people to say to keep them in like a 75+ gallon tank. the main reason because convicts breed rather rapidy, and once you have a mating pair, they will take over 1/2 to 3/4 of the tank, and even possibly kill some of the other convicts.

as to what kind of decorations, in my chiclid tank it is a sand substrate, with some caves from a broken clay pot, and fully planted. not quite sure if i need the plants, but it makes the tank look better. also, make sure if you put caves in, that you put at least two in. never put just one.