Would Like Some Info

[bellabean]

Hi everyone,
I am inheriting my sister in laws (she just passed this summer) fish tank, stand, etc.
It houses gold fish right now which are being transfered to a pond in the Spring. Which is when I will be getting the tank.

I really have fallen for Cichlids!
I want to be as informed as possible before making that jump though. We have 2 platy/molly tanks right now.

One of the fish I weas lookng at was Black Convict Cichlid. Stunning!
Pros / Cons

Also how many can you put in a tank. Or do I put with something else. If so what would be safe?!


Not sure of the exact size. Trying to remember but my brother in law seems to think 40-50g

 

[Dieses Madchen]

Convicts can be aggressive....really aggressive....if they pair and spawn and will kill anything in the tank with it. I have hear them go after fish as large as oscars. Another fish i can warn you about is actually an african cichlid commonly kept with SA cichlids and they require the same water parameters. The jewel cichlid, which is an extremely beautiful fish that is pleasing to the eye, but will kill anything without remorse. I made the mistake of buying one and she is giving me hell and has already killed one fish and almost another. Stay away from those.

How big is the tank you are getting? We should probably start there as SA cichlids can get quite large....oh wait, you already ansered that.

You could do a nice Apisto tank as those do not get large. If you really have your heart set on Convicts though, hopefully someone can come to your aid on that. All I know is that a spawning pair is a couple of coldblooded killers.

 

[onidrase]

Pros of a convict cichlid: It's pretty looking, and easy to find, because they breed like rabbits. They're hardy as can be, and full of personality.

Cons of a convict cichlid: They get big, and at least need a 20 gallon long tank, and they'll try to kill everything in the tank, even fish bigger than itself. You'll only be able to keep 1 or 1 breeding pair. If you keep a breeding pair, prepare to have it annihilate everything in your tank when it spawns. If you keep it single, you must keep it with fish bigger and similarly aggressive, or fast moving fish of 3 inches or more which can tolerate some aggression. WITH CAUTION. The female convict in my avatar cannot be kept with anything, including large armored catfish.