African Cichlids & Convicts

[Seryiouz]

I have two adult sized Convicts who had a fry about 7 months ago. Today my wife & I added two African Cichlids. Initially, the African Cichlids tried to take over the cave that was occupied by the two adult convicts. After a brief power struggle, the Convicts claimed their cave back. I'm not sure how long they will co-exist with them & the Juvenile Fry. What do you think?

 

[Boomer2244]

The Africans and convicts should calm down and coexist in time the only thing to watch is the fry until it is matured you won't know the temprement an how it will take to every1 else

 

[Mogurako]

Those convicts will kill the Africans while defending their fry or the next time they spawn. I would return the Africans and just stick with the convicts. South/central American and African cichlids should not be housed together do to different water parameter needs and aggression levels. I have seen convicts kill a whole tanks worth of fish during a spawn.

 

[HUKIT]

Those convicts will kill the Africans while defending their fry or the next time they spawn. I would return the Africans and just stick with the convicts. South/central American and African cichlids should not be housed together do to different water parameter needs and aggression levels. I have seen convicts kill a whole tanks worth of fish during a spawn.

I agree, that's a recipe for disaster. Africans are aggressive but South and Central Americans bring that to a whole new level, now throw parents guarding fry into ty mix and that doubles their already aggressive nature. I'm not sure what size tank they are in so I can't comment on future tankmates.

 

[Seryiouz]

I'm afraid you're right, they got into a big territorial fight last night & it seemed at first that The Africans were more dominant, but the Convicts reigned supreme

 

[Seryiouz]

Here's a view of the entire tank...as you can see the two Africans (one white, one black) has occupied the left side of the tank, chasing away the smaller Convicts...& as you see on the right where the cave is where the larger Convicts stay

 

[Mogurako]

Those convicts are just little guys, they will get bigger and meaner. What size tank is that?

 

[Seryiouz]

@Mogurako, I'm not sure, but I know eventually I'm gonna have to get a bigger one lol....

 

[Mogurako]

What are the dimensions?

 

[Seryiouz]

About 2 feet long & 2 feet tall...

 

[Mogurako]

About 2 feet long & 2 feet tall...

That's about a 20/29 gallon if I remember right, hopefully you can get those convicts a bigger tank soon.