Pet Forum / Aquaria / Cichlids / June 2004

I got a little convict a couple weeks ago. At first she was shy and hid
behind the rock in  the tank, but now if I put my hand near the tank to
get a sip from my beer she charges my hand with her gills flared out.  
Also she has very nice color, yellow on her dorsal fin, blue on her anal
fin, and a red belly, and her color seems to intensify when she's pissed
off at my hand. I'm also amazed at her ability to move gravel for such a
small fish, always busy. I owned quite a few cichlids as a kid (oscars,
dempseys, even a breeding pair of convicts), but I don't remember them
being this aggresive. This little fish has the attitude of a mean
pitbull. I was thinking about a tankmate or two, but I'm now convinced
she would thrash anything I put in with her. Oh well, I guess I got what
I wanted (a small fish with personality!). I'm not complaining, I'm just
amazed that a little 2 inch fish can have such an attitude. I know this
probably isn't news to some of you, but I just thought I'd share it with
you guys anyhow. I would have to say if you want a smaller sized fish
with real attitude the convict would be right at the top of my list.

Josh