could i keep two pairs of convicts in a 40 gallon breeder or would they be to cramped

They'd be really aggressive and probably kill each other. One breeding pair is unbelievably vicous. It would be really hard to keep 2 pair unless you had a divider.

I'd keep a single pair and that way if they have babies they will raise them. You can stock your tank that way. :lol:

Sell the babies for supplies and other fish that you would like to try.

Convicts are alot of fun, btw. I had a pair once that bred in the first 12 hours.

wow that's cool i guess i will just go with one pair then

Get a pair of black and a pair of pink. All you would need is some hiding spots and plants to give them cover. 40g is enough room for cons, like mazza said their aggressive and territorial but if you give them space wich a 40g tank has they can live together.

ok i can't make up my mind now i am thinking jewel cichlids how many do you think could be kept in my tank?

Oh with plenty rocks and plants you can have a community.

A cichlid community sounds fun. For some reason I always like to have more fish over just one big fish. Although I wouldn't mind having a single big fish like a jack dempsey or king kong parrot, arrowana, etc.

If you decide to go with 2 pairs of convicts, if one pair gets aggressive, just put up a divider. The tank is wide, so I think both of them will be fine, and you can have a big breeding operation of black and pink convicts. Haha!

That doesn't sound like a bad idea... hmm...

I've been following your posts seeing what you are deciding on your 40 because I'm still having a difficult time stocking mine. I'm really enjoying my bichir, but there aren't too many cichlids that would get along. Then again, I believe I read that jewel cichlids would get along with a senegal bichir. I'll have to look into that.

cool i just liked the idea of jewels or convicts because they aren't very expensive at my LPS and i am on a low budget

Just by a pair, believe me. My pair bred the day I brought them home, and then within a week the fry we're already swimming. Within a month they would be ready to sell. You can tell the females because they have gold underneath their bellies and blueish green fins. It's more prominent as they get older, but if look closely, it's REALLY easy to tell the difference. Males are usually a bit bigger. Pink convicts might net you more money if your LFS is willing to buy them off you.

I believe you may have talked me into starting my own cichlid tank. I may do some jeweled cichlids in with my senegal bichir, and if I want them to breed, I can always move them to my 10 gallon 'breeder', haha!

well i am thinking maybe a species only tank of jewel cichlids for a while and once i get a pair could i add other fish since there is a lot of room as they don't get to big

I'm happy to inform that my cons have layed about 200 eggs and very soon there are going to be wigglers everywhere.

MAZZA, i wouldnt put your jewels in with the senegal untill he's a good 6+ inches. You could try Blue acaras :)

Just a follow up on the convicts progress.





Enjoy :star:

Do they eat their fry?

No they are great parents. the put them in their mouth to move them.

That is so cool. Beautiful fish. Enjoy your new babies! :D

I wouldn't put cichlids in with my senegal bichir anytime soon. He's just a 2 incher right now. I've got an unidentified one that I picked up today in my 10 gallon..

Beautiful pic's btw. I'd love to have another pair of cons, and if I can help it, I will one of these days. I may temporarily house them in a 10 gallon.. I might even put up a divider in my 40 and have a split tank.

Speaking of them moving their babies around by mouth.. when I first saw my female con doing that I thought she was eating them. LoL :lol: Then she'd move to her 'cave' and spit them out. :rolleyes: Funniest thing I have ever seen. First fish breeding experience, too. I need to purchase some brine shrimp and put them in 'storage' for my next con breeding attempt. I didn't have any brine shrimp the last time they bred. Boy was that a disaster. Long story... ^_^

Congrats!

Very nice I think I am going to stick with my Oscars for a little while longer though. :)

I know, I know convicts are kind of boring already but in a couple of weeks I will begin My German/Bolivian ram project in a 75g planted tank. This will make it a little more interesting.

I think Convicts are great. Wouldn't mind seeing the fish you are talking about though.