So I had a pair of cons that had a habit of eating their eggs and fry. I got these guys with the intentions of using the fry as feeders, but not for the parents So, I moved them from their 20gal to a 50gal breeder which they are forced to share with 2 firemouths. From day one (about 3 weeks ago) there was a lot of poking at each other on behalf of the big female firemouth and the male convict. I had expected this and hoped it would strengthen the bod between the cons.
I've been busy the last few days and haven't spent much time observing these guys other than to pop in and feed everyone, so I hadn't noticed any breeding going on. A few days ago I had done a big water change w/ R/O water (it's a big rack system). This morning, I got up and grabbed a cup of coffee and went into the fish room to tend to the other fry I have growing out and there in the 50gal breeder was the female firemouth and the male con protecting a brood of around 200 free swimming fry from the cons prior love and the firemouth's prior love.
So, either the female firemouth and the male con hooked up or the cons bred and the female firemouth is just being motherly. I guess time will tell. I'm going to try to get some pics tonight. Didn't have time this morning.
I hadn't even noticed the firemouth looking gravid or plump. This all surprised me. I know cons and firemouths can breed, but I never expected it from this group. I'm slightly concerned as if a large amount of fry survive, I don't know if anyone would be interested in them or not. I guess they'll work as feeders.
I've been busy the last few days and haven't spent much time observing these guys other than to pop in and feed everyone, so I hadn't noticed any breeding going on. A few days ago I had done a big water change w/ R/O water (it's a big rack system). This morning, I got up and grabbed a cup of coffee and went into the fish room to tend to the other fry I have growing out and there in the 50gal breeder was the female firemouth and the male con protecting a brood of around 200 free swimming fry from the cons prior love and the firemouth's prior love.
So, either the female firemouth and the male con hooked up or the cons bred and the female firemouth is just being motherly. I guess time will tell. I'm going to try to get some pics tonight. Didn't have time this morning.
I hadn't even noticed the firemouth looking gravid or plump. This all surprised me. I know cons and firemouths can breed, but I never expected it from this group. I'm slightly concerned as if a large amount of fry survive, I don't know if anyone would be interested in them or not. I guess they'll work as feeders.