Black Convict hurting other fish!

**Scommando1** · 07-04-2012, 07:50 PM

I have 5 Cichlids in my 29 gallon tank. I have a Firemouth, Blood Parrot, Rio Chahal, and 2 Black Convicts.

I set-up my fish tank about a month ago. I cycled it through, like you were supposed to. Checked the water quality, and everything was fine. So I headed over to my local fish shop(The Wet Spot). I read/heard somewhere that it was best to start with 2 or 3 fish, at a time. So, I got 2 Black Convicts. About 3 days later, I bought the three other fish(listed above). They are incredibly shy/skittish. They are very scared of every movement. Even when I feed them, I have to be very still. After couple minutes they will come out. And that's only the least of my problems.
One of my Black Convicts, keeps on chasing/nipping at the other fish. I know Black Convicts get very protective when they are spawning. But there is no sign of any newborns. My best guess is to move around the decorations, so the fish would establish new territory.
What would you guys suggest?

I'd appreciate all the answers!

**Lady Hobbs** · 07-04-2012, 07:53 PM

Absolutely totally terrible stocking with aggressive fish in a way too small tank. And if you have not done your testing, the tank will not yet be cycled.

**Scommando1** · 07-04-2012, 07:58 PM

Originally Posted by Lady Hobbs

Absolutely totally terrible stocking with aggressive fish in a way too small tank. And if you have not done your testing, the tank will not yet be cycled.

I have cycled my tank for about a month. My water testing results were good.
What would you recommend I do?

**Lady Hobbs** · 07-04-2012, 08:13 PM

How did you cycle the tank before you added fish? With pure liquid ammonia?

Two convicts only could have perhaps gone in a 30 gallon at the least.....better if 40 gallon with no other fish. They are Central american cichlids, not South American and very aggressive.

They also have hundreds of babies which is something else to consider.

But regardless, these fish should not be together. That stock is better suited for a 75 - 100 gallon.

**Scommando1** · 07-04-2012, 08:18 PM

Originally Posted by Lady Hobbs

How did you cycle the tank before you added fish? With pure liquid ammonia?

Two convicts only could have perhaps gone in a 30 gallon at the least.....better if 40 gallon with no other fish. They are Central american cichlids, not South American and very aggressive.

They also have hundreds of babies which is something else to consider.

But regardless, these fish should not be together. That stock is better suited for a 75 - 100 gallon.

The local fish store that I got them from, got a lot of praise from lots of people. So, I trusted they would help me make the best setup.
What fish do you think I can keep, and ones that I can't? The other fish seem to be perfectly fine together. Its just the one Convict thats causing all the problems. What do you think about all the shyness, and why they're so skittish?

**Lady Hobbs** · 07-04-2012, 08:28 PM

We hear it all the time. Fish stores give the worst advice ever and cause more people more problems than if they had gone into this blind.

IF you cycled the tank before adding fish, I might keep the firemouth and get some larger tetra's to go in the tank with him. Or perhaps some Tiger Barbs but nothing else.

If you did not cycle the tank before adding the fish, I believe I would return them all, cycle the tank and then stock it with community fish and save the cichlids for a day when you have a larger tank.

**skullduggery1** · 07-04-2012, 08:40 PM

I totally agree with Lady Hobbs,the aquarium is way too small.Now if they were all one or two inch fish and it was a temporary grow out tank,then maybe.Convicts are nasty little #$%@#'s.

**theskeptic** · 07-04-2012, 09:24 PM

A deathmatch will soon ensue. If not before the convicts breed, then most certainly after.

**ddarko2215** · 07-05-2012, 02:03 PM

Assuming you have a pair, and not two male or two female convicts. If you have two male you may be left with one fish anyway. I think it all depends with what you want out of your fish tank. Are you getting into the hobby or is this just a decoration piece in the home? a "Pair" of convicts in the tank IMO would be fine, but nothing else. You will have fry, so you would need to decide with how you are going to deal with that. I don't know much about the others but the tank seems too small for them. If this is just a tank that you want to look good, I would return all of your fish, keep cycling your tank with ammonia for the time being, and ask people on here for help on a new stocking plan. Don't beat yourself up, I'd say just about all of us have made similar mistakes.

**ryann** · 07-05-2012, 03:09 PM

The other fish are so shy and skittish because of the convicts being aggressive. They need a larger tank and until they get one the other fish are going to be scared for their life. I would return all the fish and start over. I would definitely return the convicts, you might be able to keep 1 or 2 of the others. A single firemouth in there can be ok with some other community fish.

Also, please describe how you cycled and what your current parameters are so we can tell how well your tank is cycled.