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I currently have my 55g setup with these fish:

(3) Rummy Nose Tetras
(6) Tiger Barbs
(3) Cories
(2) Blue Rams / One is not doing too hot though
(2) Rosy Barbs

My firehouse recently purchased a baby Black Convict for our 20g tank, but it started attacking the other fish in the tank and actually killed our baby Black Shark. I just wanted to see if it would be a good or bad idea to keep the Convict in my 55g tank at home? Thanks.

I'd have to say no, considering you have some rather small-ish fish in there... I'd be afraid that the convict would eat them. I don't have experience with cons, though, so perhaps someone else can confirm that.

As for your stocking, you should really fill out your schools before adding other fish. The tetras and cories should be in schools of at least six of their own type to keep them happy and healthy.

Also... what's wrong with the ram? I wouldn't add ANY fish to your tank if that ram isn't feeling so hot. Especially not a known aggressive fish like the con... the ram would likely be the first target of his aggression.

~Meow. Thus spoke the cat.~

I have two Blue Rams. One has been in the tank since I started up, almost 7 months ago, and the other was added 3 months later. About two weeks ago, the original Blue Ram out of nowhere became thin and the lower (bottom) of the stomache goes in. The second one is perfectly fine and looks exactly the same as the day I bought it. None of the fish in my tank bother each other, so it's not being attacked or anything.

As far as the schools go; all my fish seem to be doing just fine. The Tetras started off my tank and originally were a school of 6, but 3 of them did not make the tank cycling period and are no longer with us. And I actually have been meaning to purchase at least another 3 Cories, as well as some other bottom dwellers.

I guess that I won't be adding the Convict, and back to the pet store it will go.

Last edited by mlfdco4 at 11-Nov-2005 18:15

the ram isnt getting enough food. make sure he eats or is getting food when you feed. you may have to adjusts lightly to make sure he gets some.This happens alot with cichlids if one isnt agressive enough to get his share. might also try more variety in your foods.

I feed my fish a few different types of food. Flakes, bloodworms, sinking tablets, shrimp pellets and Cory tablets. All my fish end up going after the Cory tablets and shrimp pellets.

Do you think I would move the Blue Ram over to a 10g tank by itself until it gets better? Let me get a little healthier and then move it back to the 55g.