Convicts

[Jaiden]

I have 6 Pink Convicts in my 75 gal. They're just little at the moment, and in with some community fish. Everything is fine so far, no aggession. I know it's more than likely not going to stay that way.

My question is, what can I keep in this tank with the Convicts? Are any other Cichlids ok to add? I really don't know much about Cichlids so I couldn't even name a few off I was interested in. My LFS has the proper names of all their Cichlids and I probably couldn't remember them even if I wrote them down They also mostly have fry, so I could start out with all young ones that could grow together...as my Convicts are just teensy babies, as well. I don't know if that would make a difference or not

I'm really irritated right now because I was sold these fish as "baby Parrot Cichlids" and it doesn't bother me what they are...I think they're adorable regardless. But it bugs me that I was lied to and I now have to re-home my tetras, barbs and ropefish because these Cichlids are aggressive And the guy at the store still claims they're Parrots.

Sorry about the vent in there

 

[Wolf361]

There are many idiots like that. If you don't want them take them back. If the a**hole guys says no, Threaten to bring BBB into this for poor business practices. Convicts are good for so many reasons. I just brought a black one today as a bluffer and so far the activity in my tank is great.

Take good care of them.

 

[Jaiden]

I do like the fish, don't get me wrong! They're my little babies Just didn't appreciate being told they'd be fine in my tank. Guess I should have known, though. This same guy sold me 2 puffers (forget which kind) and the puffers ate the fins off my Ropefish and killed 3 tetras. I even asked him if the Puffers would be ok in my tank Guess he was right, though. They were ok...it's the other fish that weren't

I really was thinking of switching to a Cichlid tank eventually. Just had it sped up a bit lol I wanted to start with Jack Dempseys or Jaguars and work around those. Now I have to start with these. Can I have either of those with Convicts?

 

[cheesy feet]

In a few months time they will be paring of because it is more than likely that you have atleast 1 female/male in the group.That will be the first issue, there is no real point in keeping large cichlids with convicts in a 75gal tank when breeding because it will just be a warzone.

Imo stocking a 75gal just on convicts is a waste.Although nice fish they're pretty dull as cichlids get.
As you said they probably won't last long with your community fish so I would watch them closely
By the sounds of the guy who runs the fish shop he probably knows little about fish.If someone sold me a fish and they assured me it would be fine for my stocking, but it killled my fish, I would definetely ask for a refund, or more, tell him off lol.

Jags and dempseys can mix with convicts but they'll all be squeezed for space.Just look at Nelly's Jag, its a beast!Deserves more than a 75gal imo.I've never had a Jag or JD though, so they may work in a 75 gal with a couple fo cons.

 

[Wolf361]

I do like the fish, don't get me wrong! They're my little babies Just didn't appreciate being told they'd be fine in my tank. Guess I should have known, though. This same guy sold me 2 puffers (forget which kind) and the puffers ate the fins off my Ropefish and killed 3 tetras. I even asked him if the Puffers would be ok in my tank Guess he was right, though. They were ok...it's the other fish that weren't

I really was thinking of switching to a Cichlid tank eventually. Just had it sped up a bit lol I wanted to start with Jack Dempseys or Jaguars and work around those. Now I have to start with these. Can I have either of those with Convicts?

I have a little advice, just a little to tell ya. Don't go back to him. Find someone else to buy from.

 

[kribensis12]

I thought they were jellybean parrot's?

 

[Wolf361]

Jelly Bean? That is just a fancy name for what it is. They are trying to sell that name. Its just a Red Parrot.

 

[kribensis12]

There is a difference from jelly bean parrot's to regular blood parrot's. Jelly bean's are a cross between blood parrot and male convict.

 

[Jaiden]

I don't know what they are, really. All I know is that they're Cichlids, and not the type I was sold

 

[FeroX]

There is a difference from jelly bean parrot's to regular blood parrot's. Jelly bean's are a cross between blood parrot and male convict.

some are also bred with blood parrots and severums. They're dyed, they look retarded, and they're sold to people who think they're "cute" and cuddly. 3-4 months later when their colour fades and they become monsters killing all these peoples' poor guppies...

Ugh. I straight up tell people they lose their colour 3-4 months into their lives, they get big, and they're mean. Now, they're nice fish otherwise if kept with compatible fish, but please don't buy them because they're bright pink and blue and green.

 

[Wolf361]

lol, This is what happens when ppl are allowed to play God.

 

[shroob]

Do you want to keep all 6 convicts?

What I would do is just keep 1, or a pair. That way you're stocking options increase.
If you just had 1, you could have a JD that you liked and another smallish (6" cichlid).
If you had a pair, then I would still say you could have the JD, but not another fish.

With all 6 convicts, you potentially have 3 pairs, and these will take up all the 75.

 

[Jaiden]

Ugh. I straight up tell people they lose their colour 3-4 months into their lives, they get big, and they're mean. Now, they're nice fish otherwise if kept with compatible fish, but please don't buy them because they're bright pink and blue and green.

I don't know if you meant me by that statement, but mine are white and have always been white That's why I liked 'em so much.

Do you want to keep all 6 convicts?

What I would do is just keep 1, or a pair. That way you're stocking options increase.
If you just had 1, you could have a JD that you liked and another smallish (6" cichlid).
If you had a pair, then I would still say you could have the JD, but not another fish.

With all 6 convicts, you potentially have 3 pairs, and these will take up all the 75.

I've thought about that, as well. I may wait until they've matured and paired up. Then I'll know for sure that I'm keeping at least 1 male and 1 female. Someone else had mentioned these guys are dwarf cichlids and will only reach about 4"? Is that true? And will 6 that size need the entire 75 gal?

 

[shroob]

They are small for CA cichlids, but I wouldn't call them dwarfes, males can reach 6" and females around 5".
Dwarf cichlids is a term normally used for SA cichlids that reach around 3" eg. rams, apisto's.

6 may need the whole 75G, especially if you have 3 pairs, they are aggressive normally and super aggressive when breeding.

 

[Jaiden]

I'm so lost as to what exactly these fish are...other than Cichlids

I guess we'll see how they grow over the next few months and I'll keep you guys updated I'm going to leave my tank the way it is for now, but I think I'm going to rehome my tetras first. They're the smallest and most picked on. Although the tank is peaceful for the most part. The Tiger Barbs do more damage than the Cichlids.