Convicts In A Community

[malfunction]

So, I have two breeding pairs of convicts and I was wondering if anyone keeps them in non-aggressive community set ups. Essentially, I want to move one of them - probably a female - to my community tank. I know moving a breeding pair to the main tank would be a bloodbath, so I'm not even considering that. But what about a single female? They seem quite mellow outside of breeding. Has anyone tried this?

Thanks.

 

[thelaw]

all i have to say is bad idea

 

[Wills]

It depends. Is the honest answer, you will be able to build a community around them but you will have limits as to what you keep - so avoid the obvious like Guppies, Bettas, Angels etc anything with long flowing fins.
 
Single convicts can be kept like any other new world cichlid in a mixed tank - you will have better results available though if you stick to central american fish like larger livebearers like swordtails, hoplo catfish and big tetras like blind cave tetras or red eye tetras.
 
Wills

 

[malfunction]

Ok, thanks for the input. I'm thinking of putting them into a tank with rainbowfish, bolivian rams and some geophagus. I'm confident the geos can handle themselves - I've seen them put my big rainbow cichlid in his place during his breeding frenzy. I am worried about the rainbowfish and the Bolivians though. What do you think?

 

[Wills]

There is quite a big difference between a rainbow and a convict. I think the Rams will suffer but the Rainbows might be ok - if the Rainbows are one of the bigger species it could work but not if they are one of the smaller species.
 
Wills

 

[malfunction]

There is quite a big difference between a rainbow and a convict. I think the Rams will suffer but the Rainbows might be ok - if the Rainbows are one of the bigger species it could work but not if they are one of the smaller species.
 
Wills

Yeah, agreed rainbow cichlids are generally not as mean as convicts...although mine do turn psychotic during spawning. I'll probably shelve this plan for now. Thanks for the info guys.

 

[theconvictguy]

No, No and No. The other fish you have will be tore up by the convict.