which one of these fish are better in your opinion and y?
2007-01-27 13:33:30 · 6 answers · asked by i like pizza 3 in Pets ➔ Fish
Are you talking ease of care or interesting to watch? I am partial to cichlids and therefore consider the convict a little more interesting than the bichirs. They are easy to take care of and easily spawned and exhibit excellent parental care of the eggs and young. They protect them agressively and will make life miserable for any other fish in the tank that come into their nesting area. However, once they have started spawning, it is almost impossible to get them to stop. Pet stores will sometimes take the fry (babies) once they are about an inch long, but they usually won't pay you for them.
The bichirs (Polypterus) are worth your attention for having a number of interesting features. Although these are classified among the "bony fish" they actually have a number of characteristics more typical of sharks, for example a cartilaginous skeleton and a spiral valve, an internal fold in the intestine that increases the surface area for absorbing nutrients. The base of the fin is also fleshy and you may see these animals "walking" on their fins on the bottom of their tank. These fish are air-breathers, using a lunglike swim bladder. The dorsal fin is also divided into a number of spiny segments, giving the fish its primitive appearance. I don't know if any of these have been spawned in the home aquarium yet.
Closely related to the bichirs are the reedfish. The divided dorsal fin can also be seen in these fish, as well as the fleshy fin base on the pectoral fins. The pelvic fins, however, are absent, and this fish is sometimes also called a "snakefish." Like the bichirs, these fish are air-breathers.
2007-01-27 13:45:09 · answer #1 · answered by 8 In the corner 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
There are several species known as convict cichlids. I'll assume you mean the common little ones who breed like mad rabbits. They are good for feeder fish. Both of these fish are totally different. The cichlids need a high ph and hard water and a tank set up for reproducing. Birchirs are more aggressive and get a few feet long and are much more high maintenence. Neither is better overall, but convicts are better for the average owner to have.
2007-01-27 13:41:26 · answer #2 · answered by bzzflygirl 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Convicts. They have the best parenting instinct of any fish. They're a joy to watch. I have 2 pair of convicts in a 36 gal bowfront & they trump the show fish in my bigger tanks for entertainment value. Once the babies grow up a bit, they make great feeders for my green terrors.
They take about a month to get aclimated to the tank and start breeding & when they do its like fireworks. Just add a few terra-cotta pots & some gravel & they'll be non stop action. For fun you can put some loose java fern in the tank... they'll push it around during territory disputes as a line marker.
2007-01-28 05:32:31 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
of the two, i'd pick the convicts. i had a pair that mated up & had babies & were very good parents. plus, i don't like eely looking fish & they may be more likely to escape thru any hole in the top..and may hide & bury themselves..so are not as visible as the convicts
2007-01-27 13:44:37 · answer #4 · answered by DEWEY 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I really like convicts personally. They are nice and active, hardy and pretty easy to breed.
2007-01-27 13:42:01 · answer #5 · answered by magicman116 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
convicts... just cuz.
2007-01-27 13:41:21 · answer #6 · answered by Smooth as butter on a kitten! 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋