Normal Behavior for a Convict?

[Current]

When they are introduced to a tank, do convicts usually swim up and down the sides? Is the fish just adjusting to the tank?

 

[newfound77951]

Could be, but just to be sure, what are your water parameters, and how did you acclimate the fish?

 

[Current]

The ph is 6.8, temperature 81 degrees Fahrenheit. I gradually acclimated the fish by pouring the bag with the fish in it into a bucket, then I added water from the tank into the bucket.

 

[Zagz]

By parameters we mean ammonia, nitrite and nitrate in addition to ph.

 

[Current]

Ammonia nitrites and nitrates are very low, so they couldn't be affecting the fish. By the way, he seems to have settled down now and is exploring the tank.

 

[SpeedEuphoria]

Ammonia nitrites and nitrates are very low, so they couldn't be affecting the fish.

Very low doesnt mean anything to me, I only understand numbers. Ammonia and nitrite over 0 is not good.

 

[Current]

My test kit does not test ammonia, but the nitrite is 0.0 and the nitrates are 0.0 as well.

 

[Cheapeeper]

I'd suggest getting a new test kit, you have to test for Ammonia. If the ammonia is high it will poison your fish and it will die a painful death.

 

[Current]

Ok thanks for the advice. I will get another test kit.

 

[Menagerie]

Knowing your ammonia level will definitely help in the future if this happens again. What size tank is this? Some fish takes things slow when introduced to a new tank and others do the opposite!

 

[Current]

Menagerie,

The tank is a 35 gallon hexagon. It is 20 inches tall, about 17 inches wide.

 

[Menagerie]

Gallon wise, that's good for a convict, but they like more horizontal room rather than vertical.