Convict Cichlid Help!

[Rhythmax01]

Okay I will admit that I am totally new to this thread so any info would be helpful. Here it goes today I just traded guppies for a pair of
Convict Cichlids except after I bought them I brought them home and started doing research on them so I could take care of them properly.
But after I looked them up they look a little different. The stripes on the male are really badly faded out and he doesn't even have a knot
on his head. The females stripes are not even complete but she does have a little Orange are Redish Orange on her belly. So my question is
Do these even sound like convict cichlids? Ohh if someone can tell me how to post a pic I will be happy 2.



Edit: Sorry but I forgot to say that they have been acting really skittish to. I called there old owner and she said they have
always acted that way. Is this normal.

 

[Delloy12]

Can you post pictures?

 

[minnnt]

Hello mate, welcome to the forum.

The fading of colour sounds like stress, which will probably have been caused by the move and new surroundings. Make sure there is plenty of hiding places for them so that they feel safer.

What are the other fish in the tank or are they alone?

The red belly is a typical Convict marking on the female. Unsure what you mean by knot on the head though?

 

[Delloy12]

Yeah what he said ^^^

 

[Rhythmax01]

It says on the internet when the male gets fairly big he will eventually form a knot on his head not sure if this happends with all male convict cichlids. The only other problem is that there old owner said that they have always been skittish. What kind of things can i get for them to hide in. Sorry I am completely new to the cichlid world. And I heard that cons are the best for a beginner cichlid owner.


Edit: Ohh and the only other thing in the tank is 2 pink convict cichlids but they are really small like a little over an
inch. And how do you post a pic? Thank yall for helping me.

 

[minnnt]

I think you will need to rehome the pink convicts as if yours do breed then they will turn REALLY aggressive towards everything else in the tank.

I wouldn't say they're the best Cichlids to start with due to their aggressive behaviour towards everything when breeding. Although they're very easy to breed so maybe this is what they refer to when making this comment. These won't be frightened when it comes to warding of much bigger fish.

As for 'knot' still unsure, maybe it means a nuchal hump? They do develop a very small one, my male HRP has started to develop one just recently and it adds to his appearance no end.

To address the skittishness you would be best off adding plenty of hidey holes and maybe some tough plants like Anubias and Java Ferns. This will offer them a sense of security.

To upload pictures create yourself an account with photobucket, then upload your pictures to that site which will host them for you then use the IMG link and copy and paste them into the thread when making a reply and you picture will show up in the thread.

Here is a picture of my male Honduran Red Point in full breeding colours. As you can see he has started to develop a small hump on his head, maybe this is what is meant by 'knot'

 

[Rhythmax01]

Here is a pic of my cons do they look unhealthy? Just give me your thoughts about them please!



http/i1117.photobucket.com/albums/k598/Rhythmax01/106_0948.jpg

 

[minnnt]

They look healthy, but i have a feeling they're not pure Cons? Maybe a cross somewhere along the line with another Cryptoheros species? Myrnae maybe? Spirulus?

 

[Rhythmax01]

Is that bad in anyway. Will they still breed the same way that cons do. Cause I was wanting to watch how they breed cause I heard it was fascinating.

 

[minnnt]

Yeah they will be fine mate. They should still spawn exactly the same as convicts do. Not 100% sure on them being crosses, so don't take my word for it, but if you compare them to my jade eyed in my avatar then you will notice that they're showing some olive green similar to them. Compare them to other pictures on google of the convicts and see if you can see any similar.

 

[Rhythmax01]

Thank you for you comments I would be freaking out if I didnt get any help. lmao

 

[minnnt]

No need to worry. If they are indeed crosses then you may find that some of the aggression may have been lost. But then if you do get fry you will find it very hard to move on the fry.

 

[Wills]

Hi I have to agree I think they are not pure convicts not sure what they are crossed with though...

Wills

 

[Joller]

when they breed they will probably eat that pink convict in the background

 

[Rhythmax01]

I hope they dont eat my pink cons...lol...They are still acting skittish even though they have pots and stuff to hide in. Going to give them more time before I get to aggravated. I like seeing my fish I dont like them afraid of me hope it passes.