Convict + fire mouth

Question
QUESTION: I just got a Fire mouth Cichlid and put him in with my Convict Cichlids (4). I read on a web site that this was ok. But after more reading I find out I might be wrong, plus this guy seems shy and the Convicts can be mean. In my 35gallon tank do you think he will stand a chance? I have a lot of hiding places in the aquarium.

ANSWER: Hi!
Convicts can be wicked, especially if they pair up.  Maybe it would be best for you to take the firemouth back to the pet store, and ask for a credit.  If they are chasing the firemouth, they will nip him causing the firemouth stress, and bring sickness into your tank.
Lynda

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Weird . . . I just checked in on the fish making sure things have calmed down in the tank. At first the other "pairs" of Cichlids started fighting . . . Now it seems the recessive female has paired up with the Fire Mouth . . . the Recessive male has resorted to being by himself. The Dominant pair is still together. . .  they all have their own caves. Ill keep a close watch on these guys and at the first sign of split fins or weird behavior I will take the little guy back.  I didn't know if one got stressed he would bring sickness to the whole tank. Thank you!

Answer
Hi!
Yes, when fish get stressed it brings disease.  Convicts have been known to pair off with other fish, unfortunately.  When they do this the fry are sterile, and sometimes not as pretty as when they pair with their own.  Many of them could be crippled too.  It is best that fish pair with their own kind.  Convicts are excellent parents, but must have a tank of their own once they have paired off because they are really aggressive when caring for their eggs, and fry.  They will attack any fish that goes near their eggs, and defend their fry violently.
Lynda