Convicts

[MarshmallowXXX]

I am new to the game. I have a 29 gallon tank and I want convicts (black with yellow stripes). What are your suggestions for feeding when they are young and when they get older? Also, what types of structures will I need inside the tank such as plants and stuff? Is there any other fish that can go in there with them?

Thanks


JUGGALO RYDAZ of St. Louis

 

[Flippin'thing bit me eye]

Firstly, no other fish in a 29g with a pair of cons.
No plants cos they'll just rip them right out, maybe a half of a flower pot, a few hidey holes to lay eggs in, a smooth gravely substrate is good.
As for food; frozen bloodworm, live bloodworm (as long as you strain the water they come in away), cichlid pellets, anything really.

 

[Flippin'thing bit me eye]

I forgot to mention that you could have a hardy plec (bristlenose) maybe a pair as long as you provide enough hiding spots for them.

 

[smb]

I have to say I agree with Flippin'thing bit me eye. A 29g tank is too small for any other fish to go along with cons. If you do get a breeding pair, you will most likely have to even take all the rest of the cons out of the tank or they will probably be harrassed or killed by the mating pair.

You can try all females maybe if you want a group.

 

[MarshmallowXXX]

allright thanks all.
So I want all hard structures and no plantlife in there?




JUGGALO RYDAZ of St. Louis

 

[smb]

allright thanks all.
So I want all hard structures and no plantlife in there?




JUGGALO RYDAZ of St. Louis

You can have plantlife in there. Cichlids tend to uproot them when digging their pits but not always. Actually, IME, what I've found to be the best nest for cons is a flowerpot turned on it's side. For some reason they love this. I usually cut the bottom out of it and put a plant in front of the larger opening for security.

Although with cons, just adding water usually is enough to make them breed.

I would get some dithers (zebra danios, guppies etc) or once in a while the male will kill the female if they can't pair bond and have a sense of teaming up to protect the fry.

 

[MarshmallowXXX]

what exactly does the bristlenose do?


JUGGALO RYDAZ of St. Louis

 

[Nik]

A bristlenose is a small catfish that will do a good job as a cleaner within the tank.

A pleco may be easier to purchase and will do the same role within the tank.

I have a 30g tank containing a breeding pair of convicts (supplied by flippin_thing..) who share their tank with a brsistlenose. The bristlenose is fine but have created at least 3 "hiding holes" in case he gets too much atttention from the convicts.

I have a few plastic plants - as the live ones are usually shredded and a sunken flower pot which is where they always stick their eggs. Currently on my 4th batch of babies.

Pleasant fish that make pretty good parents in comparison to other tropicals.

 

[Alien Anna]

A bristlenose is a small catfish that will do a good job as a cleaner within the tank.

A pleco may be easier to purchase and will do the same role within the tank.

Common plecos are bad news for tanks under about 6 ft since they can grow to 2.5 ft long. So if you want a pleco, stick to a dwarf variety like the bristlenose. Bristlenose plecs will require some bogwood for their digestion, which could cause potential problems with your pH which you may want high for convicts.

 

[MarshmallowXXX]

do you keep the babies? or what do you do with them?



JUGGALO RYDAZ of St. Louis

 

[Nik]

Some of my babies are kept and given to my LFS in place of credit notes for other items and some...

....are fed to my Oscars. Sorry. )

Convicts once paired and breeding seem to go at it very regularily and to keep them all would be impossible when I get 40 fish grown from each brood.

 

[MarshmallowXXX]

so, i could probably take them up to the aquarium store and they would take them?


JUGGALO RYDAZ of St. Louis

 

[smb]

so, i could probably take them up to the aquarium store and they would take them?


JUGGALO RYDAZ of St. Louis

It all depends on if they have the tank space for them or not. Cons are pretty numerous because of their breeding practices so you might not get anything for them but if they are out of them you might get lucky. I would at least ask for store credit as all they can do is say no.

You'll be overrun with them soon. They breed sometimes every 2-3 weeks.

 

[MarshmallowXXX]

the place by my house says that they cannot keep the black/yellow striped convicts in ever because they are so sought after in my area.....maybe i can get the hook up.

THanks



JUGGALO RYDAZ of St. Louis

 

[Nik]

Convicts are usually pretty easy to breed so not all LFS will take them. Nevertheless good luck.