FishProfiles.com Message Forums

hey guys, I was in petco today and there was a convict in a tank with tons of fry. I asked what the store did with them and they said they were free if you take them before dad eats them. So I came home with 12 convict fry. They are currently in a 2 gallon with 5 guppy fry (two weeks old) I have a 10 gallon they can move into after that, and a 55 after that. I have no experience with cichlids and was looking for any advice. I know they are agressive and I wont keep any more than a pair for the 55 gallon. Any info would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!

Depends, what will be in the 55 gallon? How large are they? If they are half inch +, I would move them to the 55 gallon.

On the situation, if nothing else is in the 55 gallon, you can put 12 in, let them pair off, and remove the extras. Two pairs will work fine. Convicts arent as aggressive as people say, I've kept breeding pairs with angelfish gouramis frontosa etc...

Given room they'll be fine.


If they are still very small, put them in the 10 gallon as a grow out, in about 2 months you'll be able to move them into the 55, and you'll probably get breeding within the first week if they are about 1/2" - 1"

Convicts are very simple, not demanding at all.

Right now, they are tiny! maybe 1/4". I am worried about them getting sucked up into the filter, so they are in a 2 gallon with a smallworld corner filter. Also, the 10 gallon is still cycling. It should be done in about 1.5 weeks. The 55 gallon finished it's fishless cycle last week and is currently stocked with 1 dojo loach, 2 dwarf gouramis, 2 guppys(temporary), and an apple snail. I'm feeding them powder (flakes and freeze-dried bloodworms), and they are eating well. My main concern is there is no heater in their current 2 gallon home. I have a light that keeps the water at 75F during the day, and when I turn it off at night it drops to 73F. Should I worry about the temp drop? I am still looking for a small heater, but have been unsuccessful. They all survived yesterday so I am keeping my fingers crossed. Thanks for the help!