Common DiseasesĪlthough Convict Cichlids aren’t plagued by any specific diseases and tend to be fairly hardy little guys, they are still susceptible to all the usual freshwater infections. In the wild, these fish enjoy a gentle current rather than still water, therefore a very mellow current in their tank will make them feel more at home. This really helps if they are feeling aggressive because without these covered spots they can become quite stressed and will act out. Rocks and driftwood are another great addition to any Convict cichlid’s tank as they provide places for the fish to hunker down and hide. You may also want to consider how hardy your plants are, as the Convict Cichlid can dig about quite aggressively at times and not all plants withstand their advances. If the substrate is too rough the fish may sustain cuts to their bellies, therefore sand is a great choice. The substrate should be soft since Convict Cichlids tend to root around on the bottom of the tank intermittently. Hornwort is a great option, as well as floating plants whose roots will hang down and provide lots of tendrils for the fish to explore in. In the waters of South America, the Convict Cichlid enjoys rooting about in lots of vegetation, so it is good to include plants in your tank. When deciding what to put in your Convict Cichlid’s tank, it is important to consider what the conditions in their natural habitat are, then try to mimic them as closely as possible. In order to maintain these levels, it is advisable you purchase a reliable water testing kit and perform checks at least once a week. The water hardness in their tank should be between 10 – 15 dH for optimum conditions. The Convict Cichlid likes a water temperature of between 79 – 84 degrees Fahrenheit, and water PH levels of between 6.5 and 8. The Convict Cichlid is a resilient fish and will be able to tolerate a range of water conditions, however, achieving the ideal parameters for this species will enhance your fish’s lifespan and health. The more Convict Cichlids you add to a same species tank, the higher the chance that they will become aggressive. Most people tend to put Convict Cichlids in solo tanks or put a male and female in a tank as a pair. You should not put a male and female Convict Cichlid in a community tank as they will become very territorial and you will really ramp up the probability of violent behavior. They tend to become aggressive with other cichlid relatives, however they can be successfully mixed with Oscar fish, Jack Dempsey fish, Silver dollar fish, Pictus Catfish and Clown Loaches. The Convict Cichlid is a feisty fish and so you have to think carefully before putting one in a community tank. Although this may seem large for a relatively small fish, it is crucial to give them plenty of swimming room to avoid these fish becoming stressed and unhappy.ģ0 gallon tanks do not cost that much more than 20 gallon alternatives, yet the added capacity will improve your Convict Cichlid’s general health and even their life expectancy. The minimum tank size for the Convict Cichlid is ideally 30 gallons. However, if correctly looked after, these guys make a marvellous addition to any aquarist’s collection. They have also been introduced as wild swimmers in Japan, Mexico and Taiwan.Īlthough they aren’t an ‘expert-only’ aquarium buy, Convict Cichlids do require some specialist care due to their somewhat aggressive nature. This is due to the water conditions in Victoria and Queensland, which are suitable to the Convict Cichlid’s needs. Interestingly, the Convict Cichlid can now also be found in Australia, well outside its natural range.
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