Is a convict cichlid aggressive?

Convicts are an aggressive and territorial species, forming monogamous pairs during spawning (Wisenden 1995; Barlow 2000). Convict cichlids have proven to be a useful model species in the study of animal behavior.

How big will a convict cichlid get?

around 4-5 inches
The average convict cichlid size is around 4-5 inches when fully grown. These fish are rather small compared to other cichlid species. The advantage of this is it means you can keep them in smaller tanks than other species as well.

How many convict cichlids should be kept together?

As a schooling species they should be kept in groups of at least 6 individuals. They are a little unusual in that they can be semi-aggressive on occasion, nipping at slow moving, long finned fish like Gouramis and Angelfish.

Are convict cichlids good pets?

The black convict cichlid, also known as the zebra cichlid, is one of the most popular members of the cichlid family. It is an incredibly hardy fish, which is easy to care for, making it ideal for beginner fish keepers.

What fish can I put with my convict cichlids?

The 7 Best Convict Cichlid Tank Mates

• Oscar fish. Many people are often surprised to hear that oscar fish – often referred to as a football with fins – are one of the best convict cichlid tank mates.
• Pictus Catfish.
• Firemouth Cichlid.
• Common Pleco.
• Bristlenose Pleco.
• Tiger Barbs.

What size tank do convict cichlids need?

30 gallon tank
Tank Set Up These fish will need at least a 30 gallon tank for a single Convict Cichlid.

Do convict cichlids change color?

His body color changes from dull gray to flashy blue or yellow, and a prominent black stripe (“eyebar”) appears across his face. This physical transformation signals to males and females alike that he’s the top fish now and will vigorously defend his newly acquired breeding grounds.

What fish can I put with a Convict Cichlid?

Firemouth Cichlid These attractive and fascinating fish are a strong contender for the best tank mate to keep with convict cichlids. Firemouth cichlids and convicts share similar temperaments, meaning both are more than capable of standing up to each other, but usually without the aggression getting out of hand.

Do convict cichlids need caves?

Like most cichlids, the convict cichlid is a very territorial fish that often displays aggressive behavior, especially towards fish that infringe on its territory. Most individuals choose a small crevice or cave as their territory and defend it vehemently, even against much larger fishes.

What fish can I put with convict cichlids?

Do convict cichlids like light?

Originating from some of the deepest lakes in the world, cichlids thrive in dark, murky conditions full of plants, rocks and algae. If the lighting in your tank replicates these conditions, your cichlids will grow to their full potential both physically and mentally.

What fish can you keep with convict cichlids?

Can convict cichlids live without air pump?

They release it directly into the water and fish breathe it, just like in nature where they live without any pumps. Fish in a planted tank don’t need an aerator at all — it’s a waste of space and money.

How often should I feed my Convict Cichlid?

Cichlids should eat two or three times a day. They should be fed no more than what they can eat in about one to two minutes’ time.

Do cichlids prefer sand or gravel?

For cichlids, a sand substrate is considered the best. That’s because cichlids love to dig and move the sand around, and they exhibit the same behavior in nature which serves many purposes, such as scavenging for food or making nests for laying eggs. The pinnacle of sands is aragonite sand.

How often should I feed my convict cichlid?

How often do convict fish have babies?

Brood care of eggs, larvae and free-swimming juveniles in the wild can last 4 to 6 weeks, and occurs only once per season for the majority of females.

Do convict cichlids change colors?

Can I turn off my fish tank pump at night?

If you have just a good old air pump that is separate from your aquarium filtration unit, then you should be able to turn it off during the night, at least for a few hours from when you go to bed to when you get up.

What fish can I put with a convict cichlid?

Do cichlids need live plants?

African cichlids are known to destroy live aquarium plants. But there are some live plants that you can keep in your African cichlids tank. Some examples include Java moss, Anacharis, Anubias, Hornwort, Green Cabomba, etc. African cichlids don’t like the taste of these plants.

How do I make my cichlids happy?

Cichlids prefer warm water with a high pH. While cichlids tend to be able to tolerate a wide variety of temperatures and water types, their colors will appear brighter and more vibrant in water with a pH of around eight. Many pet and aquarium stores sell aquarium additives that are designed for cichlids.

How fast do baby convicts grow?

How Fast Do Baby Convict Cichlids Grow? On average, baby convict cichlids will grow to be 1-inch long in about 2 weeks. That being said, there’s no one-size-fits-all rule here. The baby’s growth largely depends on their diet, genes, overall tank conditions, and water quality.