Topic: Convict

[Vern]

I've just rescued this fella from a house clearance.  It's a Convict as far as I can tell but developing the head of a Frontosa...

I've put him in with my Sajicas for now as I think things will turn ugly when they next spawn.

[baytherman]

It looks more like a fast maturing Amphilophus Amarillo to me or perhaps a cross. Good hump if it is a young Amarillo. Be interesting to see how it turns out down the road as to how big the fish a ctually gets.

[Vern]

It looks more like a fast maturing Amphilophus Amarillo to me or perhaps a cross.

Really?  The guy I rescued it from told me he bought it as a convict.  I don't know how old the fish is or the condition he's been kept in til now but he's livened up in the tank a bit over the last few days.  And a bit too much for my Sajica's liking.

I've checked out an AA on the web.  There's no orange and yellow on this fish but it does have the fin extensions.  He's currently about 5" long but appears to be bulking out after a bit of care and attention with his hump becoming more prominent.

[baytherman]

Yep! That is what makes me think it is a cross between the 2. However, Amarillo don't always show yellow or orange coloration in their composite either. Some do some don't. Depends on the population at its collection point. At 5 inches whether it is a cross or not, it will probably be more than your Sajica pair can handle aggression wise, as they are not nearly as aggressive as a Con or Amarillo. If it is somehow a cross you may have a real nightmare aggression wise. Who knows it may even be stunted Amarillo. As I said, it will be interesting to see what happens. At 5 inches, it would be a pretty mature Convict and fairly mature Amarillo as well. Good luck vern, I am very curious as to how this will go. Try to keep us updated.

[Vern]

At 5 inches whether it is a cross or not, it will probably be more than your Sajica pair can handle aggression wise, as they are not nearly as aggressive as a Con or Amarillo. If it is somehow a cross you may have a real nightmare aggression wise.

Yeah, he's already won the territorial battle and ousted the Sajica pair from their cave without much fuss (they've simply found another spot to claim as their own).  There's a bit of flaring going on.  If it gets too much I'm going to have to rethink this one

Good luck vern, I am very curious as to how this will go. Try to keep us updated.

Thanks. Will do.

[syphon]

at 5 inches it could be a mature Con but that hump just puts a question mark on it huh? at least I got to read up on what an Amarillo was anyway that looks likes the new owner of the tank especially if it is part Amarillo...

[baytherman]

Well it could be a Convict as well. But I have raised these fish for years as food for some of my other fish and I have had males get to 6 inches and 10 and 12 years old and although had a hump, nothing close to the size of this one. Maybe it is the strain from which it comes from or it has been hormoned or something but it is a nice looking fish if it is pure Convict. Congrats to him on the rescue.

[Gerry]

Its a very nice fish 

If it is a con it can cross breed with the sajica

[Vern]

I have had males get to 6 inches and 10 and 12 years old and although had a hump, nothing close to the size of this one. Maybe it is the strain from which it comes from or it has been hormoned or something.

Or an unusual growth?  I'm looking closely at him now and notice where the hump joins the fishes body is kinda unnatural and juts out, rather than a smooth extension of the fishes body.

If it is a con it can cross breed with the sajica

If it's a con it could potentially breed with my pet cat! LOL  Actually that's my fear Gerry but so far the female Sajica has preferred to fight rather than welcome his advances.

[Gerry]

If it's a con it could potentially breed with my pet cat! LOL

True 

[Antonia]

Congrats on the rescue,very nice looking fish.

[Stormbringer]

nice fish and good on the resue 

[Katt]

He is good looking, what ever he is. 

[Gem997]

Very nice looking fish :-)

[Vern]

Good luck vern, I am very curious as to how this will go. Try to keep us updated.

A little update for those who are interested...

Well he's grown a little and isn't overly aggressive with the Sajicas yet.  He seems to be spending more time flirting with them, both male and female(!?), and occasionally flaring up but, if anything, the female Sajica appears to be the aggressor.  Personality wise, he's far more outgoing than the Sajica.  He's almost childlike at feedings, his favourite being pulling somersaults through flower pots and carrying off some freaky dancing, showing a tonne more energy and speed than the Sajicas ever have.  His finnage is colouring up nicely too, displaying turquoise and purples. I still have no clue as to his age, or whether he's a stunted Amarillo or cross but he's settled well.