Other Cichlid Tank Mates For A Convict

[junfan]

i  there i have got a  120 gallon tank with one male  convict
 
and one big common plec 
 
i want to know which other  cichlids i can put in the tank with the convicts
 
i  dont want them to breed so only looking at  having  1 of each  kind 
 
any help would be great 
 
i dont want any thing that is going to get massive like oscars  or things like that
 
also can you keep bn  pleco in with  convicts and oher cichlids ?
 
 
tia 
 
 
 

 

[techen]

I have no idea about cichlids or anything like that but a 120 gallon tank isn't suitable for a common plec. You could get a few BN plecs instead of it

 

[Wills]

hmmm I'm not sure I 100% agree on the plec Tenchen, its sort of a tough call. A 120 gallon tank is probably a 4x2x2 tank and thats a pretty decent size for one really and given that they rarely get housed into a tank of anywhere near that size I think its a good home for one, just need to consider a big chunk of the tank is taken up.
 
As for tank mates for the Convict, your best off sticking to Central American Cichlids - do you know if your Convict is a male or female? Most Central Americans can cross breed so its important to stick to all one gender. Males are better as females will often lay eggs by them selves, which can cause similar problems to breeding fish.
 
Fish to look at would be things like Nicaraguans, Firemouths/ Ellioti, Jack Dempsie, Rainbow Cichlid. There are other rarer companions but it depends on what you like
 
As for other tank mates, hardy schooling fish like barbs would work as tank mates, but keep a large group to avoid nipping. Mid sized loaches might be a good idea, like Yoyo Loaches etc. If you wanted to keep it biotope correct your closest easiest fish to find are Swordtails and Red Eye Tetras. Hoplo Catfish would be a good adition also.
 
Wills

 

[junfan]

its a  5ft tank  by 2 by 30 inch 520l got told it was 120 g  but i work it out at  a 115g   but that is  well ok for a  plec 
convict is a male

 

[junfan]

I want other cichlids in the tank if possible

 

[Wills]

Fish to look at would be things like Nicaraguans, Firemouths/ Ellioti, Jack Dempsie, Rainbow Cichlid. There are other rarer companions but it depends on what you like

 
 
In American cichlid tanks its always a good idea to have non cichlids in the tank as part of a community. This shows them that the tank is a safe place to be as a tank with no small or shoaling fish tells them there are predators around and they need to hide or appear dull as so to blend in. Also in central american tank you want target fish which are larger fish as part of a large group to take some of the abuse that the cichlids would otherwise take out on each other, being a bigger group the dither fish will also be faster so take much less damage and be able to run away where as most cichlids will fight back.
 
Wills

 

[FriedFlowerHornFillet]

As far as dithers go Giant Danios for the top and Loaches for the bottom have worked the best for me. Herichthys Tepehua (turquoise cichlids), Acaras, maybe a Severum? IDK the temperament of your Convict or how it will change when he reaches full size. Pound for pound I find convicts to be the toughest fiercest cichlids around, it's hard to recommend suitable tank mates for them with any certainty.

 

 

[crisycrunch]

You can add a couple larger cichlids like an Oscar or Jack Dempsey no problem.  Some fast large growing barbs would be fine too.