Lost ParrotHunter

hi all. i hope someone can give some insight about this cichlid. we believe its a convict but not sure, it came with the tank when we purchased it. the cichlid in question has some rather gnarly growths at the base of its pectoral fins. if anyone can help we would greatly appreciate it. he is quarantined.

Nick G

Definatly got some Convict in him. It's either a Convict or a Convict hybrid I'd say. How big is he?

Shawnie

yep thats a male con and his inuries look like he either has been in a tiff with another fish, or he got caught on something sharp in his old tank...some stress coat with water changes will fix him right up

Lost ParrotHunter

thanks shawnie. we werent sure what the injuries were. he is every bit of 4 inches. he is doing much better now that he is with us. when picked up the tank, it was real obvious it had not been maintained for quite some time. the tank also houses a pleco and a bala. they must have been purchased about the same time because they are all between 4 and 6 inches.

you say he is a male, what do i look for to identify gender? i have never seen this coloring on a convict. is this coloring specific to the region it is from?

is there anything else we could do/use to help the convicts healing process?

thanks for all your insight and help.

saylor

i bet its a he, and i bet hes just wierd colored because he is sick.

females have some orange scales on their lower sides, and are smallish.
and darker colored.

males are like, paler looking. and bigger.

Lost ParrotHunter

just wanted to post that my convict is doing much better. his fins have healed completely. is getting around the tank with no problems. thanks to all those who assisted with this issue. the information was very helpful.

tomchitown

good to hear