2 convict questions

[DaCichlidMan]

Hey i was just wondering, what is the difference between a male and female convict, becasue i plan to have a pair in my 150 gallon tank. Also i was wondering when full grown what is the usual max size of a convict.

[JC]

Max size for a male approx 6 inches.

male develops nuchal hump (large bump on head) long dorsal and caudal fins.
Female smaller in size, no noticeable nuchal hump, and usually red belly.

[DaCichlidMan]

I am planning to buy them when they are small, are the males and females distinguishable at say 2 or so inches?

[JC]

At that size, usually the females start to s how some colouring on the belly. However that's not always the case when in the lfs , since the stocking conditions are less than ideal, and so is the fish's colouration.

[Dan]

I am planning to buy them when they are small, are the males and females distinguishable at say 2 or so inches?

Do you plan on putting them in with the 3 or 4 other big Cichlids you were planning to get?

The reason I ask, is because that may cause you some eventual problems when the Cons pair up , with those other big dogs in the tank. 

I know it's a long way off, but it's just something I wanted to run by you.  Good luck.

[DaCichlidMan]

yeah actually they will be with a few big guys, i realize the future problem and if worse comes to worse ill put them in a different tank for a while.

[Tiger_Oscar]

I am planning to buy them when they are small, are the males and females distinguishable at say 2 or so inches?

At two inches your not going to have much to go by but as JC said you might be able to see the red or orange belly that the female would have. You can try looking at the fins but i wouldnt trust them completely and if worst comes to worst you could just get about three or four cons and see which of them make a pair. Then take the ones that arent in the pair back to the lfs.

[fnesr]

you should be able to pick them at 2 inches in my opinion. look for the colour on the stomach or dorsal fins for a female, if it's not present it a fair bet the largest cons in the tank will be males as they generally grow abit quicker then females in most cases. if fully in doubt choose the largest in the tank and the smallest, doing that you'll have about a 90% chance of opposite sexes in my experience.

[DaCichlidMan]

Well i went to the LFS today and it is very easy to tell the male from the female apart. I live near a petsmart and its where i have gotten some of my fish. Well i asked the manager (supposed fish expert) to pick out a male and female, for me.... well he didnt know what i was tlaking about it was very depressing lol he picked to females and i decided not to give them my business.       


Lack of aquarium knowledge in fish stores is sickening!!

[Silven]

I've had exactly the opposite experience at the petsmart by my house. Even the part time employees were quite knowledgeable and the department manager scolded me sometimes for trying to add too many fishes to my tank or the wrong kinds to live together. At first I minded but know I appreciate her effort to try and make people more aware of what they are getting into and to be more responsible. As for sexing convicts, the stock at my local petsmart are really easy with the females having distinctly pink bellies. Good luck.

[DaCichlidMan]

I've had exactly the opposite experience at the petsmart by my house. Even the part time employees were quite knowledgeable and the department manager scolded me sometimes for trying to add too many fishes to my tank or the wrong kinds to live together. At first I minded but know I appreciate her effort to try and make people more aware of what they are getting into and to be more responsible. As for sexing convicts, the stock at my local petsmart are really easy with the females having distinctly pink bellies. Good luck.

Actually yes you are right, I have spoken to the manager, ive developed a friendship with him and he was the only one that actually had useful advice about stalking my tank and stuff, but everyone else doesnt know jack lol.

[Ezekial]

I was just going to agree with Fnser on how to try for a pair.  If you can't tell by coloration just watch the interactions for about 2-3 minutes.  That should give you a pretty good idea as to who is the dominant fish.  He should be one of the top 2 in terms of size and will be a male.  Then pick one of the bottom two in terms of size and dominance and that should be a female.  I would say it is almost a guarantee to get a male that way, the female is more up in the air. 

I used the same method when i picked out my firemouth.  While i'm not absolutely positive it's male, i feel pretty safe in believing he is.