CichlidFish.com - Fish That Think.

Hi all..

I'm a fresher new to the hobby but it’s been fun so far!
Just got a convict male (3inches 40liter tank). He seems well and makes a lot of gravel shifting noise an night.
Are they nocturnal?
He was the last one in the shop and I've had him 1 week. He won’t eat in front of me so I have to leave him alone for 5 minutes and all the food is gone eaten when i get back.
Is he just getting used to me or should I be worried?
I've seen some really beautiful specimens on the web. Will he ever look like that (v. long fins and deep colours) or have I got a really inbred convict?
I want to get a mate for him from a different shop to avoid inbreeding.
When should I do this? Sooner or later?
What should I look for in a good healthy productive female?

I had a friend come over and test my water before I bought my convict. I dont have a test kit just yet. The levels that should be at zero were at zero when he tested the water. I have not tested the levels again just yet.

The tank (40 litres wider than it is deep) has been operational for 6 1/2 weeks and the convict has been in there 1 week. I had some rocks and gravel from my friends tank and used some dual action stress zyme and anti chlorine chemicals as per the instructions.

He is currently the only fish in the tank. The tanks has a fluval filter, daylight blue light and is regulated to 25 degrees c. Lots of large rocks and small gravel but no wood or plants.

Thanks in advance...

Hi and welcome to the forum, and I guess the fish hobby.

Your tank size is fine for your convict, or even a pair (smallish for a pair though).
Get some test kits, even if your tank has been running for a while, it has not cycled, in order to start the nitrobacterial cycle, you need a source of ammonia. The source also has to stay constant to feed the nitrifying bacteria.
So get a test kit for ammonia, test the tank every day or so, and watch as the ammonia rise's, you will have to do some water changes, but all in all, its a pretty easy thing to go through.
As the ammonia rise's, just post back here, and the people on the forum, will guide you through.

First I'd like to say welcome to the forum.

As for the colors and fins that you want for your convict I think they way you raise him will be the key. Plenty of food, good water conditions, and illness awareness. I don't think I've ever seen an ugly convict.

For your female, most females will display an orange patch on their sides (that's how I know if it's male or female). They do grow out of this color somewhat, it's more brilliant in the juvies. Whenever you choose a new fish look for good fins, fat belly, clear eyes, and general good health and I think you'll do just fine. A healthy female is a good looking female. Inbreeding in convicts is probably more common than any other fish IMO. They breed like rabbits, and then if the fry are not removed... they breed like rabbits. Soon you have a tank full of brothers and sisters making babies all over the place. I don't think anything is going to go wrong by this happening. Fish aren't humans, there isn't some law saying, don't make babies with your brother. I don't know, now I'm just babbling.

Originally posted by js302
Are they nocturnal?

Nope.

Is he just getting used to me or should I be worried?

He's just getting used to you.

Welcome to the forum!! You'll love keeping Convicts, but after you get your female you probably won't be able to add any more fishes to your tank. In addition to the excellent advice from Fuzzy and Tug, you probably need to create hiding places in your aquarium -- rock formations, overturned flowerpots, like that. Convicts like to hide in places like that and peer out at you.

Tug says:

Fish aren't humans . . .

Don't tell an Oscar that -- they all think they're human!:D --Mark:cool:

That's really good advice from you all.

Answered all my questions!!!

I feel better now and thanks even more for the welcome.

happy fish keeping...

I shall keep you updated in future progress.