What kind of fish is this?

Question

I inherited a new tank and it came with 6 dark fish, I cant figue out what kind they are, I took a picture that you can see http://tinypic.com/view.php?pic=4ztbjw8 It is really important so please answer asap. I was told by the previous owner that they do lay eggs, but eventually eat them before they "hatch". If you can, please tell me how i can get the eggs to hatch, and raise the fish.

Answer 1

That is a convict cichlid (Archocentrus nigrofasciatus) and yes they do lay eggs. They are in fact very prolific breeders and considered by many to be the easiest egg layer to raise. The main problem you may see is that the parents will try to defend the eggs, but the other 4 in the tank will try to eat them. With those odds it's really tough on the parents to save the eggs. Removing the other fish would help, or you could remove the eggs to a separate tank to hatch. Here's a link to a page about raising the babies, it's quite easy and loads of fun.

http://badmanstropicalfish.com/profiles/profile58.html
Hope that helps

MM

Answer 2

Looks like some kind of cichlid? I'm not sure what type, you could take your picture (it's a good one) to a pet or aquarium store maybe. Once they lay their eggs, go to the store and get a fry basket. It sounds like french fries, but it's actually a small net box with suction cups on it. Attach that inside the tank so the adults can't get in, and place the eggs inside it. They'll be safe from being eaten in there, and once they hatch, you can move them into a different tank where they'll be safe from mom and dad eating them. Also try www.cichlid.org for some more info. Good luck!

Answer 3

Those are Convict cichlids. I have 10-300 at anytime.

They need more room to hatch the eggs. We started with a male and two female in a 55. They laid eggs every 6 weeks and hatched he fry. The parents are very good at taking care of them. Each time fewer eggs survived and fewer fry survived. It is simply nature balancing itself out. The more fish in a small place the more likely the eggs will be eaten. If you remove everone except the parents then the fry would hatch. Do you really want 100 more fish though? You won't be able to sell them- these fish spawn like crazy- no one will buy them.

Answer 4

It certainly looks like a convict to me. Theywill breed readily. Feed them some live food, it usually encourages breeding. Water changes also sometimes help. The other fish will eat the babies so is best if they can be kept in a tank alone. It is very cool to watch them raise the young. Well worth the investment in another tank. Local pet shops will often buy the babies when they get older, if you can't sell them some other way.

Answer 5

It might be what's known as a "Texas Cichlid" or "Rio Grande Cichlid." Your fish might be hybrids though, as these guys tend to breed with other related species. Never seen a black one though....

On second thought, yeah try taking the pictures to a pet store with a good reputation. Make sure you don't go to Petco or Petsmart, I wouldn't trust some 18 year old pimple faced moron to identify these guys. Most likely some kind of cichlid though. Of that I am almost positive. My personal guess would be a Convict Cichlid.

Answer 6

Bring the picture to a pet shop. They can provide you with more information than anyone here..

Answer 7

I think it might be this
http://www.cichlid.org/Photos/S07/pages/PH0129.html
or something related to it ( not really my type of fish)

Answer 8

ITs a Perch