Why does 1 of 4 of my Convict Fish keep picking up rocks and moving them around the tank?And why so hyper?

Question

He just acts way different than the other 3.

Answer 1

Ooooh, a cichlid question. I love Cichlids! I find most of them to be so much more interesting to watch than your garden variety Freshwater. :)

Ok, skipping ahead to your question: Your convict is building a nest to lay eggs in. Don't be suprised if the convict that's building the nest begins to exhibit agression towards other tank mates in the near future. When breeding, the fish tending the nest gets very territorial and does will guard the nest to protect her young.

And...convicts are notorious for being easy to breed, so don't be suprised if you end up with what seems to be a million miny convicts in your tank. ;)

Answer 2

Yep, that's breeding behavior all right. Once the site is clean off and free of rocks and such you will see a pair form and they will spawn on that site. Watch the tank and the fish closely because once they do this they will defend the area and will bully the other 2 convicts badly. You may even need to remove the other 2 to protect them from the breeding pair. Here's a link to page with more information about breeding convicts and raising the fry.
http://www.aquariumfish.net/information/raising_baby_fish_2.htm

Hope that helps

MM

Answer 3

Sounds like he's getting ready to nest. How many males and how many females do you have? If the tank is large enough, more than one male can inhabit a tank during breeding, but chances are the other fish will need to be moved once the pair has started nesting.

Answer 4

He is probably a female,they have a orange patch on their belly.Females move rocks to create a place to lay their eggs,if 2 of your convicts pair up you may have trouble with aggression(unless you have a very large tank with lots of hiding places) as they will try to clear the tank of other fish to protect their young.Convicts are very good parent who will raise the fry.Here is a good site about breeding them:
http://www.cichlidresearch.com/simpleaquarium.html

Answer 5

puppy lover has the main stunning answer, with my first cichlid i grow to be baffled by his tank association so I placed the gravel and rocks back yet low and behold, the following day, it grow to be all tousled back...Its a cichlid element. additionally that one guy grow to be very perfect approximately introducing a clean fish, re set up the tank, It forces your convict to discover and create a clean territory for him self. verify your tank is substantial like min 25 gal for a 2nd fish. one extra element whilst hes approximately 2.5 inches or so which you will feed him stay worms, wash them first and verify they ar not too enormous, your ciclid would be aggravating the 1st time yet he will ultimately strengthen to love them.

Answer 6

He wants the tank or his home to suit him so he will move stuff to suit his needs