Cichlids Starter question.

[kaimarkhirst]

Hi all,

Have just aquired 2 tanks. One is a 22 gallon tall tank and the other is a run of the mill 20 gallon tank, both of which my wife and I have decided to use as species tanks.

The tall one were going to have a breeding pair of Angel fish and are in talks with the LFS to source these rather than go through the process of buying 6, waiting for a pair and seperate.

The other one, im going to have a breeding pair of convict cichlids in and wanted to know as much as possible about how to successfully get a breeding pair.

Have been researching them quite vividly and in depth, but I have drawn up a blank on this one, and wanted to walk into my LFS fully loaded with info, so I can get the best specimens out of them.

Also, How "species" are they?? Normally, Id put a bristlenose plec in all my tanks, but is it visable with pure cichlids?? Again, no info on this...


Thanks indeed All...

Kai

[smaug]

I have not kept convicts but my wife has,they breed well and at the drop of a hat.The 20 gal tank with a pair of angels in it seems a bit cramped but I suppose of you are skilled and competent at keeping an eye on things you may not have too bad a problem.As for cons being species specific,they are very aggressive and I can think of many other fish that would be able to take living with them.

[kaimarkhirst]

Hi mate,

Cheers for the reply,

have just bought the david sands book, a guide to keeping central american cichlids to reference from and get good pics for the habitat setup. As for the fish that wil compliment them, im pretty sure that a caretaker such as a plec, will be ok, but I need to be sure.

Anything you can tell me about the types of rock setup they prefer for dwellings?

thanks

[smaug]

My wife had one of those big pirate ship [hollow on inside] for them to hide in.Anything like caves or driftwood with lots of nooks and crannys they will like,Do not be so sure about a plec having an easy time with cons,my wife tried a big 8" one I moved from my tank,it was dead in 2 days.Are you sure about the angels in the 22gal?

[kaimarkhirst]

This is what im worried about putting a plec or any other fish in there. Ive already got a 75G community, so really this tank is purely for the cichlids. Nothign else, but would like a caretaker in there. Weather loaches are COMPLETELY out of it, so that leaves algae eaters (too small) and plecs, and the plec is what im not sure about. Logic and experience tells me to put the plec in first and get him established, then the cons in, but even that im not too sure itll bet set in stone that hell be ok...

Angels wil be fine mate thanks,


11 gals per fish, even the veiltales wil be ok in there as there is nothing else going in there.

The only thing that is bothering me is the pairing situation as I really cant house 6 in here and wait for them to api naturally, but on the other end, dont want to be sold alemon pair that is past their breeding cycle, but apart from that, theyll be fine in their as its a tall as tank, 3 ft wide, 2 ft tall, 1 ft long. Its ideal for angels..

Cheers

Kai

[smaug]

No,its not ideal for angels at all.They get quite large,but I suppose if its a bare bottom tank with a superb biofilter they can be used as breeding stock if not pampered specimens.

[kaimarkhirst]

correct on both accounts on the filter and specimens.

Specimens will be young, and not pre-owned so to speak...

Tank is already set up and it is a very low bottomed tank, with a floating plants to cover eggs, will have appropriate plantation in there for eggs again, and low slate for the same reason. Trust me, the prep for these ahve been meticulous.

Thansk

Kai

[smaug]

A man after my own heart,youll do fine.Good luck with your husbandry.:22:

[kaimarkhirst]

thanks very much indeed...

Kai

[smaug]

BTW,your avvy is my favorite car.

[toddnbecka]

I'd suggest a less aggressive species rather than convicts. Honduran red points or a Cryptoheros species would be easier to pair/manage, also more likely to find homes for some of the fry. Similar in size and general requirements, more colorful, a bit less attitude.

[kaimarkhirst]

Ok....

Mainly chose the convicts because of their habits, striking colouration and breeding habits, but the honduran red look nice, have similar more manageable habits and are a little less aggressive. However,

How hard are they to get hold of??

[toddnbecka]

The other species aren't as common as convicts, but they are around, HRP's in particular. On this side of the pond just about any South or Central American cichlids are usually available. Check with your lfs or shop online, young cichlids can spend several days bagged for shipping w/out any problems if they're packed properly.

[Dixie]

I would take toddnbecka's advice and go with something other than convicts. I've never had them but I understand them to be very common, breed like rabbits and it's hard to find homes for the fry. I don't think I'd trust a pleco with them either.