Size Of Convict Cichlids

[sic0198]

I have a 29 gallon and have decided to have a try with a breeding pair of these. Most sites say my tank would be OK for this. I saw some adult convicts at a LFS aven when they obtain full sizend they were like 3 or so inches long. Is thaqt about their max? And is 29 gallon still adequate even when they get full size?

 

[Thomas 2507]

A 29 gallon is fine, yeah.

 

[sic0198]

Thanks

 

[stargirly1208]

You do know that they are the "rabbits" of the cichlid family right? They will breed like crazy... Just warning you to have a place to sell the babies to if you need that.

 

[pica_nuttalli]

my female is currently about 3.5", but i've seen adults the size of a man's hand before.

unless you just particularly want to breed convicts, i'd suggest getting just one. they're pretty active fish in general and you're much less likely to become overrun with babies.

if you are dead-set on breeding cichlids in your 29, then might i suggest looking into other species before getting convicts? jewel cichlids share many of the same personality traits as convicts but are easier to distribute to LFS due to their color. other somewhat common species that might be good to breed would be Bolivian Rams, Curviceps, or Rainbow cichlids.

as someone who started out breeding very common cichlids, it's not worth the trouble unless your LFS sells tons of fish. common cichlids breed fast and easy; you'll quickly be overrun. and it's also hard to sell common stuff over Aquabid because (1) it's mostly specialists shopping there and (2) common stuff is readily available everywhere.

just some stuff to think about.

 

[sic0198]

I just wanted to see the parental behavior of convicts, I hear they're neat to watch but I'll check out that rainbow cichlid.

 

[OldMan47]

I have rainbow cichlids, herotilapia multispinosa, and I can say that mine are about 5 inches long. They are living in a 29 and it is looking very full with them in there but be aware that they become very territorial when they set up housekeeping and start breeding. They are a fun fish and in my mind are nicer looking than convicts but that is a matter of personal taste. They are presently being kept with platies and are not bothering them as long as they stay away from the breeding territory. That is something the platies learned quickly without any harm to them.