Fish

[SerpentGirl]

Originally Posted by Zephyr
Ya know... I've got a second idea.
Convicts are readily available, and I've personally had experience with them being prolific.
Doesn't it sound easy to setup a 10 gallon unheated tank with a minor type of filtration and breed convict cichlids for food? I've never heard of them containing thiaminase.

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Well, convict cichlids are known as the "rabbits" of fish breeding, but they will need more than 10 gallons to live & breed comfortably. They are very aggressive, and need space to get away from each other & adults can get 6"-8", and 10 gallons won't be big enough. Most people recommend 25-29 gallons as the minimum for just the pair. And they really should have a heater, they prefer temps around 70-80°F. I was a member of a fish forum for a couple years, and read quite a bit about these guys. I hope this helps.

[drache]

I'd think breeding convicts for feeder fish would be rather space and/or labour intensive
water changes, water changes . . .

[Zephyr]

Originally Posted by drache

I'd think breeding convicts for feeder fish would be rather space and/or labour intensive
water changes, water changes . . .

Well, of course, if you want high quality feeders.
But just think of the condition goldfish and rosies arrive to stores as. :P
I think neutral care from one of us would be better than the suppliers.

[Lori P]

I just bought frozen beef heart for the first time (the kind all chopped up for the fishies, frozen into little cubes) and OMG, the minnows went NUTS over it!! They reacted to that much stronger than the shrimp, blood worms, and tubifex worms. They absolutely swarmed the beef heart in a frenzy. Must be VERY yummy!!

[enigma200316]

SerpentGirl is spot on in her advice, and as for water changes if you have the right filter you only have to do water changes once a week and only 25-30% of the water.....I love Aquariums and have had atleast one ever since I was 5 years old, although that don't say much for the age now...... but anyway I also happen to love Cichlids and between me and my cousin we have 3 Oscars, 3 Convicts two are paired and have had thousands of babies, 1 Jack Dempsy, 2 Green terrors, 1 Red-Devil...........
I just thought I'd throw my experiance in there............

[Zephyr]

I've SPAWNED another idea! *pun intended! *
How about zebra danios? Or white clouds? They are very prolific, cheap, and streamlined in shape, and don't need as large a tank AND can be housed communally!

[drache]

both of those sound like good feeders

[enigma200316]

all Danios would be great for the simple reason that they breed easy, and are very easily taken care of.................... (10-20 Gallon is fine)

[Zephyr]

Yeah, and you could breed your own.