Convicts

[SManson83]

I have a tank with 2 convicts in and am a little worried about their behaviour. The keep grabbing each others mouths, it almost looks like they are kissing.

Does anybody know if this is part of their mating process or is it aggression. It doesnt look aggressive as they are not thrashing about, just pushing against each other.

 

[Miss Wiggle]

cons are quite fiesty little fish so I wouldn't be too concerned, sounds like just a bit of territoriality. (incidentally, this is why kissing gourami's 'kiss' it's not love, it's a power struggle)

however you generally shouldn't have two picking on each other specifically, any fish being picked on can indicate a problem with the overall set up so can you give us some more details of your set up. tank size, other inhabitants, decor, water stats etc etc

 

[SManson83]

cons are quite fiesty little fish so I wouldn't be too concerned, sounds like just a bit of territoriality. (incidentally, this is why kissing gourami's 'kiss' it's not love, it's a power struggle)

however you generally shouldn't have two picking on each other specifically, any fish being picked on can indicate a problem with the overall set up so can you give us some more details of your set up. tank size, other inhabitants, decor, water stats etc etc

Water is fine, it's only a 60ltr tank, currently only has 2 convicts and a 1 marble convict. Its got live plants and various rocks as decor, more than enough different areas, they shouldnt be fighting over territory.


I'm guessing it's just convicts doing what they do best. They are both showing off some spectacular colours on their belly and dorsal fins.

 

[shroob]

I would say 60 litres is too small for a pair of convcits (especially if they are not a 'pair').

 

[Miss Wiggle]

agree with shroob, remember two fish does not make a pair, if you want a pair you need to buy a group (6+) juvi's and watch as they grow older you may get a pair to form naturally and then re-home the rest of the fish. just putting two fiesty cichlids together and hoping they'll get along is usually a recepie for disaster!