Convict Construction

[Aaron]

My convict has had a weird behaviour change this week. For no particular reason he has started to excavate the area behind his rock cave and dig a trench. He has also started to fill in the lower gaps of my Roman arch decorations (requiring him to swim into his cave sideways) and place pieces of gravel over the top of the driftwood.

His aggressive behaviour has ceased since he started this project I'm thinking of naming him Rainman.

Do convicts have a reason for doing this or is mine just bored?

 

[Cichlid-Man]

Usually its to get ready for fry. They dig breeding pits to place the fry in once they become free swimming. Sometimes they just like to make new hiding places and stuff.

Sure its a male? Is there another convict with it?

 

[Aaron]

Going by the bland markings and lack of orange underneath I'm guessing it's a male.

No other convicts with it just two young firemouths (1" each) and my redtail shark.

 

[Kyle]

A male would have more red/orange, and have more markings than a female. If your fish doesn't than either it's to early to tell, or it's a female.

 

[fishdude07]

no no, kyle...sorry but you have it all wrong. the female convicts are the ones with orange on their bellies...generally females are more colorful. males have longer anal and dorsal fins that extend to the end of the caudal fin (tail fin) when mature.

 

[Kyle]

I'm stupid, I guess I saw Aaron mention Firemouths, and forgot that the thread was about convicts. I guess I got confused. Sorry about that.

 

[SpanishGuy111]

Ya Kyle in most Archocentrus it is the female who will most impressively color. I Keep a pink convict with a large group or Archocentrus Spilurum (Convicts are Archocentrus Nigrofasciatum)

Both behave similarly and look near identical, but the spilurums have a hint of yellow and orange to the ENTIRE body, and blue eyes.