Convict Species Tank...

[cichlid_stu]

I'm thinking about setting up my 75g tank for a Convict cichlid species tank....

What kind of numbers are we talking about as a limit.....

What Plecs are best suited for a convict species tank....

Please guys any information would be appreciated.

Look forward to hearing your responses.....

 

[Davo86]

tbh I have no idea why anyone would want to do this? but if you were going to then I'd be tempted to go for all Males(4-5) or all Females(7-8) and maybe go for a mix of standard/albino/calico to add in some variety, and then add in a shoal of target fish to hopefully keep aggression levels down,

Bristlenose are undoubtedly the best pleco species for a semi-aggressive setup but tbh I think most smaller pleco species should be ok

 

[minnnt]

How about the yellow convict? They're really stunning! Also consider Honduran red points as they're brilliant. Have you considered a frontosa species only tank? Similar colours but a lot more interesting imo. You could also have a pair with the fronts as they're not so prolific as the cons for breeding.

 

[angelfishguy]

I think cons have great character and also you wont find a fish that displays better parental care.

 

[cichlid_stu]

tbh I have no idea why anyone would want to do this? but if you were going to then I'd be tempted to go for all Males(4-5) or all Females(7-8) and maybe go for a mix of standard/albino/calico to add in some variety, and then add in a shoal of target fish to hopefully keep aggression levels down,

Bristlenose are undoubtedly the best pleco species for a semi-aggressive setup but tbh I think most smaller pleco species should be ok

I think that they are one of the most interesting fish in the hobby and I love the parental care that they keep.

I'm thinking about some of the other colour forms, but can't seem to get hold of any anywhere near me.....I'm in Cardiff.

I don't mind if they breed either, I got someone who will take however many off my hands when I get them.

How about the yellow convict? They're really stunning! Also consider Honduran red points as they're brilliant. Have you considered a frontosa species only tank? Similar colours but a lot more interesting imo. You could also have a pair with the fronts as they're not so prolific as the cons for breeding.

Not really interested in the Frontosa's not really one of my faves...

 

[Jinkz]

I think that they are one of the most interesting fish in the hobby and I love the parental care that they keep.

I'm thinking about some of the other colour forms, but can't seem to get hold of any anywhere near me.....I'm in Cardiff.

I don't mind if they breed either, I got someone who will take however many off my hands when I get them.

Not really interested in the Frontosa's not really one of my faves...

Agreed, I loved my convicts and was really struggling when I gave them to my lfs when I changed my tank over to tangs. Great fish to keep and there's always something to see with them. Make no mistake mate, they will breed if you have males and females together but then be prepared for aggression from the father towards anyone who wanders near the fry and he might even chase the female away. Mind you with a tank your size, if you have plenty of rocks and plants in their to break up sight lines I think you might get away with it. Personally I'm more of a fan of them in their "traditional" colours but each to their own

Look forward to seeing some pics if you decide to go ahead.

 

[minnnt]

I'm not saying don't do it, far from it, especially if you have someone willing to take them off your hands. But I don't know how successful it would be keeping multiple pairs in a tank, no matter how big the tank. What about the hrp's? They're stunning and not as aggressive as a straight up convict.

I think your dominant male and his mate would terrorise its tank mates when breeding tbh.

 

[cichlid_stu]

I'm not saying don't do it, far from it, especially if you have someone willing to take them off your hands. But I don't know how successful it would be keeping multiple pairs in a tank, no matter how big the tank. What about the hrp's? They're stunning and not as aggressive as a straight up convict.

I think your dominant male and his mate would terrorise its tank mates when breeding tbh.

They did when they were in with everything that i have kept them with.

This is why I was looking at species only as I thought it may be the best option with them.

Where would I be able to get the red points? I don't know of anywhere local to me that stocks them.

Are they ok with convicts also?

The tank is set up ready for whatever goes in so, with rocks, caves and plenty of sightbreakers so it's a case of deciding what to do.

 

[cichlid_stu]

I think that they are one of the most interesting fish in the hobby and I love the parental care that they keep.

I'm thinking about some of the other colour forms, but can't seem to get hold of any anywhere near me.....I'm in Cardiff.

I don't mind if they breed either, I got someone who will take however many off my hands when I get them.

Not really interested in the Frontosa's not really one of my faves...

Agreed, I loved my convicts and was really struggling when I gave them to my lfs when I changed my tank over to tangs. Great fish to keep and there's always something to see with them. Make no mistake mate, they will breed if you have males and females together but then be prepared for aggression from the father towards anyone who wanders near the fry and he might even chase the female away. Mind you with a tank your size, if you have plenty of rocks and plants in their to break up sight lines I think you might get away with it. Personally I'm more of a fan of them in their "traditional" colours but each to their own

Look forward to seeing some pics if you decide to go ahead.

As said, it's set up waiting for me to decide to go ahead, or whether to go for a different option.

I like the traditional, but would be interested to see a standard convict pair off with a different colour form and see the outcome.....

Will keep you guys updated.

 

[minnnt]

Can't really help you with.the hrp, my lfs stock.them, maybe one of yours could order them in for you? Convicts are more aggressive than hrp's and get a tiny bit bigger. You.could consider jade eyed cichlids? They're apparently closely related too.

 

[cichlid_stu]

Can't really help you with.the hrp, my lfs stock.them, maybe one of yours could order them in for you? Convicts are more aggressive than hrp's and get a tiny bit bigger. You.could consider jade eyed cichlids? They're apparently closely related too.

I'm having a look at them as I type this.

 

[minnnt]

Jade eyes are nice mate, I have a couple and they are growing up fast!! I was selling some juvies not long back but all have gone now.

Sajicas are also worth a look mate.

 

[cichlid_stu]

Jade eyes are nice mate, I have a couple and they are growing up fast!! I was selling some juvies not long back but all have gone now.

Sajicas are also worth a look mate.

I think I will be able to get hold of some of the white colour form ones, so they are my best option to be honest.

 

[roadmaster]

Were it me, I might consider one blue acara,one severum,one firemouth,and one convict for your tank.Can't GIVE convicts or their fry away in my neck of the woods.
I kept a group of them some years ago, and they literally plucked the eye's from a common Pleco that was considerably larger than the convict's who were gaurding fry at the time.

 

[GShorty1981]

Female pink Convicts are beautiful, i have a female that is nearly completely orange like a Midas with a white hump on its head (deffo female, its bread multiple times with black males)