I am getting Yellow convicts for Planted tank

**Ryzilla** · 03-27-2008, 05:33 AM

Well I hope I am not making a mistake. These convicts called Cryptoheros nanoluteus are supposed to be real peacfull. There are some reports of aggression but it is mainly when spawning. They are said to be kept with larger tetras or livebearers. The max size of males is around 4" but that is large. Females are around 2". I am getting 5 of them and they are all around an inch. They are supposed to be sensitive and need clean water, my heavy planted 38g will definately help with that. They may show aggression to each other but I am ok with that. Wish me luck on my new venture.

Rev2eight · 03-27-2008, 05:46 AM

Interesting... Do they breed as well as regular convicts?

milesm · 03-27-2008, 07:45 AM

if they do, they'll be digging pits to protect their fry. good luck.

fshfanatic · 03-27-2008, 08:20 AM

They like veggies...

http://www.fishprofiles.com/files/profiles/308.htm

Quote:

Diet: Omnivore; A varied diet of meaty and veggies would be best.

**jinx©** · 03-27-2008, 10:44 AM

If they have the same spawning behavior as the normal convicts, you may have your hands full trying to keep plants.

I've bred the pink and striped convicts in the past and at times they would literally clear half the tank of substrate down to the glass, uprooting and/or tearing plants apart that were in the way.

Good luck.

Spiritwind · 03-27-2008, 10:47 AM

Never seen one before, very nice looking, and good luck with them.

**Ryzilla** · 03-27-2008, 12:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rev2eight

Interesting... Do they breed as well as regular convicts?

They breed on a flat slate surface. Hopefully I can go pick them up today. They do not have the same temperment as regular convicts, they are supposed to be very timid.

**Blue Ridge Reef** · 03-27-2008, 12:54 PM

I wish you the best, that's a beautiful fish and one I've never kept. If they really get 5 inches and like veggies, you might want a backup plan for either the fish or your plants, fwiw.

**macclellan** · 03-27-2008, 01:17 PM

Peaceful doesn't mean non-digger.
BTW, the genus is Archocentrus. I've got a pair of Archocentrus spirilus (Blue Eyed Cichlids), they don't eat plants, but are for all intents and purposes bulldozers...

**jinx©** · 03-27-2008, 02:59 PM

I havent kept this species myself, but one thought may be to leave an open bottom area to cover with the slate along with a cave or two built onto it. It might not be a bad idea to have a pit like area within the slate as well if possible.

If you build a suitable spawning area beforehand it might alleviate them excavating their own.

Riley · 03-27-2008, 03:44 PM

I bred convicts way back when. When I bred them....similar to everyone else's experience they dug out alot of gravel. I would just keep a close eye on them. I had a buddy that tried convicts in a planted tank and ended up being a non planted tank because of the convicts. Why not set them up in there own tank with a couple of ferns and get some more plant friendly cichlids?

**Ryzilla** · 03-27-2008, 06:09 PM

I like the idea about having a cave and some slate ready. If they end up being a little happy on the digging side then I guess I wong have any plants in the gravel. Ill just make it an anubias and fern tank with frogbit for the nutrient hogs. I planning on picking them up tonight and ill post pics eaither tonight or tomarrow.

**Ryzilla** · 03-28-2008, 11:40 PM

well I got them last night and I am very excited. I acclimated them for 40 minutes via drip method. After I put them in the tank it took them about 2 minutes to perk up. Then they were actively looking for food. I could they didnt eat much where they came from so I fead them a few times before I went to bed.

I picked up 5 fish for $15, from what I have read that is a steal even for how little these guys are. Two of them look thin and one looks really thin. They are picky eaters already. They tend to like food only for about 10 seconds. They dont like when I break up the flakes, they only like when they are big an whole. They like the 500-800 mincron pearls because they go buzzing around in the current like little critters. Sinking cichllid pellets, forget it, they watch them fall then give me the bird. They are picky and I am hoping after I add a school of tiger barbs they will eat better.

Spiritwind · 03-29-2008, 01:29 AM

I used to feed my little cichlid with live brine shrimp, they seem more irresistable as moving food. If they are big enough to eat them. I liked using them over other live foods just because it is less likely a saltwater parasite or whatever could survive the freshwater tank. Of course not to be used exclusively.

03-27-2008, 05:33 AM	#1 (permalink)
Ryzilla Advanced Algae Farmer (View User Tanks) PTrader: (51) Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Chicago Posts: 1,820	I am getting Yellow convicts for Planted tank Well I hope I am not making a mistake. These convicts called Cryptoheros nanoluteus are supposed to be real peacfull. There are some reports of aggression but it is mainly when spawning. They are said to be kept with larger tetras or livebearers. The max size of males is around 4" but that is large. Females are around 2". I am getting 5 of them and they are all around an inch. They are supposed to be sensitive and need clean water, my heavy planted 38g will definately help with that. They may show aggression to each other but I am ok with that. Wish me luck on my new venture. __________________ Peace, Ry I raise my sword in the air in the battle against clado. I have been beaten in this battle but the war is not over. As my wounds heal I amass another army, an army with many legs, an army of Amano's...... I thrust my tridant into the mass of medusa like staghorn. I am wounded but I refuse to take a knee.

03-27-2008, 10:44 AM	#5 (permalink)
jinx© Planted Tank Enthusiast (View User Tanks) PTrader: (5) Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Sacramento, CA Posts: 832	If they have the same spawning behavior as the normal convicts, you may have your hands full trying to keep plants. I've bred the pink and striped convicts in the past and at times they would literally clear half the tank of substrate down to the glass, uprooting and/or tearing plants apart that were in the way. Good luck. __________________

03-27-2008, 12:54 PM	#8 (permalink)
Blue Ridge Reef I do stuff (View User Tanks) PTrader: (3) Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Asheville, NC Posts: 550	I wish you the best, that's a beautiful fish and one I've never kept. If they really get 5 inches and like veggies, you might want a backup plan for either the fish or your plants, fwiw. __________________ Nothing good happens fast in an ecosystem.

03-27-2008, 01:17 PM	#9 (permalink)
macclellan I Grow'd Plants (View User Tanks) PTrader: (107) Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: knoxville, tn Posts: 2,210	Peaceful doesn't mean non-digger. BTW, the genus is Archocentrus. I've got a pair of Archocentrus spirilus (Blue Eyed Cichlids), they don't eat plants, but are for all intents and purposes bulldozers... __________________ Click here for answers to all your questions Filstar Pimp numero 89!

03-27-2008, 02:59 PM	#10 (permalink)
jinx© Planted Tank Enthusiast (View User Tanks) PTrader: (5) Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Sacramento, CA Posts: 832	I havent kept this species myself, but one thought may be to leave an open bottom area to cover with the slate along with a cave or two built onto it. It might not be a bad idea to have a pit like area within the slate as well if possible. If you build a suitable spawning area beforehand it might alleviate them excavating their own. __________________

03-27-2008, 05:46 AM	#2 (permalink)
Rev2eight Algae Grower (View User Tanks) PTrader: (0) Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Chicago, IL Posts: 76	Interesting... Do they breed as well as regular convicts?

03-27-2008, 07:45 AM	#3 (permalink)
milesm Planted Member (View User Tanks) PTrader: (0) Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: LOS Posts: 169	if they do, they'll be digging pits to protect their fry. good luck.

03-27-2008, 10:47 AM	#6 (permalink)
Spiritwind Planted Member (View User Tanks) PTrader: (0) Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: California Posts: 225	Never seen one before, very nice looking, and good luck with them.

03-27-2008, 03:44 PM	#11 (permalink)
Riley Planted Tank Obsessed (View User Tanks) PTrader: (4) Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Michigan Posts: 388	I bred convicts way back when. When I bred them....similar to everyone else's experience they dug out alot of gravel. I would just keep a close eye on them. I had a buddy that tried convicts in a planted tank and ended up being a non planted tank because of the convicts. Why not set them up in there own tank with a couple of ferns and get some more plant friendly cichlids? __________________ Riley Apistos, plecs and plants MiAPG (Michigan Aquatic Plant Group) - Join today!

03-27-2008, 06:09 PM	#12 (permalink)
Ryzilla Advanced Algae Farmer (View User Tanks) PTrader: (51) Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Chicago Posts: 1,820	I like the idea about having a cave and some slate ready. If they end up being a little happy on the digging side then I guess I wong have any plants in the gravel. Ill just make it an anubias and fern tank with frogbit for the nutrient hogs. I planning on picking them up tonight and ill post pics eaither tonight or tomarrow. __________________ Peace, Ry I raise my sword in the air in the battle against clado. I have been beaten in this battle but the war is not over. As my wounds heal I amass another army, an army with many legs, an army of Amano's...... I thrust my tridant into the mass of medusa like staghorn. I am wounded but I refuse to take a knee.

03-28-2008, 11:40 PM	#13 (permalink)
Ryzilla Advanced Algae Farmer (View User Tanks) PTrader: (51) Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Chicago Posts: 1,820	well I got them last night and I am very excited. I acclimated them for 40 minutes via drip method. After I put them in the tank it took them about 2 minutes to perk up. Then they were actively looking for food. I could they didnt eat much where they came from so I fead them a few times before I went to bed. I picked up 5 fish for $15, from what I have read that is a steal even for how little these guys are. Two of them look thin and one looks really thin. They are picky eaters already. They tend to like food only for about 10 seconds. They dont like when I break up the flakes, they only like when they are big an whole. They like the 500-800 mincron pearls because they go buzzing around in the current like little critters. Sinking cichllid pellets, forget it, they watch them fall then give me the bird. They are picky and I am hoping after I add a school of tiger barbs they will eat better. __________________ Peace, Ry I raise my sword in the air in the battle against clado. I have been beaten in this battle but the war is not over. As my wounds heal I amass another army, an army with many legs, an army of Amano's...... I thrust my tridant into the mass of medusa like staghorn. I am wounded but I refuse to take a knee.

03-29-2008, 01:29 AM	#14 (permalink)
Spiritwind Planted Member (View User Tanks) PTrader: (0) Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: California Posts: 225	I used to feed my little cichlid with live brine shrimp, they seem more irresistable as moving food. If they are big enough to eat them. I liked using them over other live foods just because it is less likely a saltwater parasite or whatever could survive the freshwater tank. Of course not to be used exclusively.

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