New Convicts

Question
Hi Dave,

I purchased 2 cichlid convicts (about 2") yesterday and put them into their own 30 gal tank.  From what research I did, I believe them to be both female; small orange spot on their tummy, shorter fins with some coloring at tip.  One of the females I believe was the recipient of tank violence before I purchased her (which I didn't notice to my own fault).  Her fins look "chewed" and on her side it looks as if she shed her scales, 1/2 the size of a dime.  The healthier convict tends to bump the smaller ones side and turn almost white when she does it.  Should I remove the smaller female from tank?  Can she heal from these fighting injuries?  And out of pure curiosity, why does the healthier female loose her stripes when she's being aggressive to other fish and yet her head turns dark brown when I approach tank?  
These are amazing fish, even without mating.  I don't want to lose the female but I don't want her "suffering" either.

Thank you
Danielle

Answer
Hi Danielle:  Cichlids are more amazing then most people even know.  They have a color language so your healthy female loses her stripes when dealing with the smaller female is more then likely a warning to the smaller fish.  Cichlids are very territorial so each fish will need its own place to hide... I recommend two terra cotta flower pots which you can get at your local ace hardware store for about $2 each.  Sink them into the gravel about half way and watch... they will dig out the rocks they do not want and go about making a cave and there they will sit until feeding time.  Cichlids that are fed well... tend to not fight about territory...so for the first couple of days... over-feed them... they love live food... like brine shrimp or tubiflex worms.  The smaller cichlid will heal herself with a warm temperature 78-82 degrees and some aquarium salt.  Cichlids like salt in their water...  The larger female turns a dark color as a warning to you... as soon as she understands the you are her food source she will pale also.  I knock on the top of my tank wall twice before I feed the fish... I have done this for years... just tap lightly... they will learn that means food and come to see what you have.  I have fourteen tanks and about 90 fish... and even the grumpy seclusive Moray Eel (Margaret Mayhem) comes to see what I have.... Hope this helps... dave