How should I set up my tank for Convict Cichlids?

Question

I just obtained a bunch of convict cichlids and I am frantic about how to care for them. They're in pretty bad shape as far as care goes.
How should I prepare their tank/aquarium? What about water temperature? Gravel? Other factors?

Please hurry and answer!
Thanks!

Answer 1

Use extra aquarium salt and water conditioner. Keep it clean doing water changes more often. Warm water and salt are great to heal lots of minor issues for fish without contaminating the water with chemicals.

Don't worry about decorating the tank they will rearrange it to suit them. They are fun to watch moving their rocks and digging holes.

Answer 2

Cichlid Tank Setup

Answer 3

Cichlid Aquarium Setup

Answer 4

When you say you just got a 'bunch' they must be juvenile. What size tank do you plan on putting them in?

The first thing you should do is go out and purchase a book on convicts. They are a common fish and it should be easy to find.

The next thing you should do is head over to www.cichlid-forum.com, where you'll find a lot of good and reliable information.

Substrate doesn't matter, but they do like to dig and sand makes this easiest for them. One poster mentioned not using sand for the same reason, but I don't know why one would want to inhibit this natural behaviour.

Use wood, rocks, and plants to decorate well and create hiding spots. Blocking the lines of sight across the tank can help with aggression. Of course, if your tank is under 30 gallons eventually you'll need to ween them out until you have a pair left anyway. Another way to deal with aggression is to decorate with nothing at all except substrate, this makes it harder for them to establish territories (but makes for a boring tank).

As tropical fish they should be kept at about 24-26°. Don't go messing with the PH , they are highly tolerent, and don't start adding all sorts of stuff to the water - all they need to get back into good condition is a clean environment and enough space to support however many you have. If you choose to use some salt, don't use too much. I've found these fish heal equally well without it, and they are, in the end, freshwater fish.

Answer 5

The aquarium should be fairly large, about 20-30 gallons would be enough for 2 pairs. Don't put any plants unless you want them floating or dugged out. Mostly make it plain. Cichlids have a tendency to dig the gravel. The gravel should be 3-4mm in diameter.

Most african cichlids like rocks so provide that too. African Cichlids love ALKALINE AND HARD WATER! Get some ph up! but put 2 drops of that everyday until your ph is about 8ppm.

Don't forget to change the water every week.

Answer 6

Keep the water clean with frequent small water changes. Be careful not to overfeed. Water temperature should be in the high 70's. If the tank is not cycled try to get some filter material from a cycled tank, or better yet a filter from one. Gravel is a good addition since it provides a substrate for the growth of beneficial bacteria. There should be ample aeration to encourage the growth of the bacteria colonies. Convicts are not too picky about water conditions like hardness,pH, or KH, somewhere in the mid-ranges is OK. When you get these guys into good health they will pair up and want to spawn. It's almost impossible to keep them from spawning. This may result in pairing up battles. A large tank is recommended, to avoid fatal fights,(they won't do one-another in if they have room to retreat.).----Good luck.----PeeTee

Answer 7

This Site Might Help You.

RE:
How should I set up my tank for Convict Cichlids?
I just obtained a bunch of convict cichlids and I am frantic about how to care for them. They're in pretty bad shape as far as care goes.
How should I prepare their tank/aquarium? What about water temperature? Gravel? Other factors?

Please hurry and answer!
Thanks!

Answer 8

For 2 convicts you usually want a 20 gallon tank,it depends how many you have what tank size you need.If 2 of your convicts pair up you may have trouble with aggression as they are very good parents and will try to protect the young.Convicts are tropical fish and require a temperature of about 26C.If this is your first tank research cycling your tank

This is web site about setting up an aquarium for breeding convicts but some of it might apply to you also.
http://cichlidresearch.com/simpleaquarium.html
Here is a profile of your fish:
http://www.cichlid-forum.com/profiles/species.php?id=132

Answer 9

Tanks go through natural cycles of algae bloom. You could deter this by having a larger tank, lowering the temperature, or feeding the fish less. If you feed them more than they will eat over a few minutes, then the algae will start to thrive off of the extra nutrients. Good luck!

Answer 10

If they are in bad shape keep the water around 83, and add about half a cup of salt. That will help them heal, other then that, they should be fine, they dont need any caves or anything else unless you want them to breed, Id put some flower pots in there if you like for them to breed.