Central American Cichlids • Need help quick! Agresion!

[1Cichlid17LoVeR7]

I have 3 convict cichlids currently in a 20 gallon tank. Recently one of the males has gotten quite agressive causing a fish to be on his side most of the time. The two males are about 4.5 inches and the female 2 inches. The submissive male seems completely fine besides being bullied. Would you suggest moving him to another tank? And would he be able to comfortably live in a 10 gallon by himself its the only thing i have access to. The fish are all about 10 years old and the female layed eggs making the male more aggresive. If i do move him is there a suggested way to do so without streesing him out more?

[hauntingurcoma]

i would move him asap! the breeding will likely kill him soon.

[1Cichlid17LoVeR7]

A ten gallon would do for now? And does it sound like its just an aggresion problem?

[hauntingurcoma]

10 will do for now.Convicts are extremely aggressive when breeding especially in a smaller tank.A pair of cons would likely take a whole 55 gal tank to themselves.

[1Cichlid17LoVeR7]

Ok so any suggestions on how to do it with the least stress possable?

[hauntingurcoma]

just get the 10 setup asap maybe with some water out of the 20 and some prime or a product like that and get him moved.

[Mr.Dempsey]

Just put it in the 10 gallon and list it for free on craigslist, your not going to be able to put it back in that tank and if you do its just going to happen again.

[1Cichlid17LoVeR7]

I will most certainly not give him away. Unlike you who seems to have no emotional attachment to your pets i have a soul and have grown attached to these fish over 10 years. I cant believe you would even suggest just giving away a pet of 10 years especially when i said i can move him to his own seperate tank. He can stay in the 10 gallon and seems much happier and better allready. Thank you very much hauntingurcoma you were very helpfull. Its only been a few hours and he seems much happier and is swimming upright and isnt really on his side anymore.

[Mr.Dempsey]

Are you telling me that your 10 year old convict it only 4" long??? I have a pair and there only like 1.5 years old and the males 5.5" long and the female is almost 4"....... am i missing somthing?

[1Cichlid17LoVeR7]

They dont stay still long enough to get a good measurement. Last i checked i that was their length now one is 5.5, around 5 and the female at 2 or 3. They're all 10ish

[Elijah]

Post pics Cichlidlover. I love to see convicts!

[1Cichlid17LoVeR7]

Ill see what i can do. Did i mention their pink convicts? =)