Convict Cichlids~Got some questions

Question

I have a 55 gallon tank, which right now has 2 blood parrot cichlids, 1 pleco, 3 silver dollars, 3 black skirt tetras, 1 african clawed frog, and 1 oto (which will probably get eaten by the parrots).

Can I fit a pair or 3 convict cichlids in the tank?

Answer 1

thats a bad idea because convicts eat other fish. it killed all mine

Answer 2

I'm with GSF on this.  I wouldn't simply because when breeding, Convicts assert themselves too much.  You are going to have issues with those Parrots and the Convicts and I promise you, the Convicts will win.  The slower moving Parrot would be no match for a Convict if breeding and wandered into the breeding area.  The Silver Dollars probably would have enough sense to avoid the area, and have more speed.  The Tetra's would probably stick more to the upper levels of the tank and avoid them all togeather.  The frog, no clue, and I doubt the Parrots would eat the Oto.  An Oto is more or less a bottom dwelling fish and should not attract too much attention.

Then if you consider the sheer number of fry you're going to get, you're going to get flooded out with Convicts in less then a year.  It's totally up to you, but I don't think this is really such a good idea.

Answer 3

I wouldn't try it.  If they pair off and breed they will get very territorial and aggressive and try to drive off all the other fish.

Answer 4

Convicts are great fish - I always loved having them in the tank....by themselves.  IME the convicts quickly started breeding behavior and after a few weeks produced approx 50 babies.  The parents are very territorial around their new offspring and terrorized their tankmates.  I had to return the other fish to the petstore and also traded in 40+ cichlid babies.  I had several gouramis, an eel, pleco, crab, juvenile oscar - and the cichlids either constantly chased the other fish or picked at them taking out chunks until they died.

Remember with convicts - to make babies all you need to do is "just add water".  You'll see what I mean!!!

Good luck!