Con Solo the Convict

[Matth05]

Plan on putting Leia back in the 75 during one of this week’s waterchanges. Typical days for w/c are Monday and then Thursday/Friday. Hopefully second time’s a charm with these two. It’s been a good 7 or 8 weeks. Would’ve done it sooner but the whole thing with Solo’s fin, which seems fine, made me want to hold out a bit longer.

 

[Matth05]

Decided to bite the bullet and move her during today’s waterchange. Figured I have more time to monitor them throughout the week, so seemed like the better option while they sort things out during the first few days.

Initial introduction was just like last time. Basically the same spiel from the two of them. Quite a bit of flaring and tail slaps from Solo, with Leia essentially following him wherever he goes. Showing off that gutsy little attitude, which stood out to me months back in the fish store. I will say they both seemed noticeably less violent in comparison to the first time around. Perhaps it seems that way because I’m a bit less anxious as well .

After about 25-30 minutes of bickering the two started to calm down. It’s now been about an hour later as I write this. They’re doing well, ate like they’ve never seen food before in their life. I really want to get a successful spawn from them once again and this time have their fry actually reach that juvie stage. I’ve probably said it like 5 times now but I plan on leaving them to their parenting duties. No pulling fry this time. I’d much rather move the swordtails than risk screwing up another spawn, in the event Leia becomes hyper aggressive again.

 

[Matth05]

And so it begins...

 

[Matth05]

Update: Leia’s still putting Solo through the wringer lol. Doesn’t seem as bad as last time though. Few nips on his fins here and there but overall not horrible. Clearly she runs the show as a pair. Every once in a while Solo breaks into his little dominance display. Flaring all around slapping his tail into the sand. Also still showing those dark brown bars with maroon fins. Last time he didn’t show his full black bars until right around the time Leia was laying eggs. So I’ve kind of been using that as indicator as to whether or not they’re gearing up to actually spawn. Could be completely wrong. Anyway that’s enough rambling.

 

[FINWIN]

Just looks like an injury to me, I wouldn’t be too concerned.

Agree, looks like a broken ray (or chipped)

 

[FINWIN]

Leia looks like a character. if she eats the fry again you've got a party girl! Solo's tail is really burgundy too!

 

[Matth05]

Leia looks like a character. if she eats the fry again you've got a party girl! Solo's tail is really burgundy too!

Oh she is quite the character. And the complete opposite of Solo energy wise. He’s quite mellow, laid back. During feeding time, for example, he usually just waits patiently until I drop the pellets from my fingers. Not her at all. She doesn’t hesitate to nip fingers, usually splashes water on me a few times a weeks. The other day she managed to get water all over my glasses lol.

 

[FINWIN]

LOL! I found at least two convict fry still roaming around the 75 today during my w/c. The chances of me getting them would be essentially zero. That would literally be like finding a needle in a hay stack. I wonder how long they’ll make it there, they’ve managed to survive more than 2 weeks now.

I ran into the same thing during the hrp "purge." No matter how long I scoured the tanks, some always escaped. In Lazarus tank the one loose fry I call "Renegade Baby" but RB is getting big now.

In the 125 I had about 8 more loose fry that are a good size now too.

 

[Matth05]

I ran into the same thing during the hrp "purge." No matter how long I scoured the tanks, some always escaped. In Lazarus tank the one loose fry I call "Renegade Baby" but RB is getting big now.

In the 125 I had about 8 more loose fry that are a good size now too.

Unfortunately that was the last I saw of those 2 little guys. So either Solo or the swordtails must’ve gotten to them eventually. I was hoping to see a little juvenile con pop up one day out of nowhere, knowing how resilient and cunning these little fish can be.

 

[Matth05]

Just past the one week mark since the two have been together. Don't think I'll ever get used to seeing Solo's beautiful fin trailers shredded little by little each day by Leia. I'm hoping they're nearing the end of this phase and will get to actually spawning soon. I can't help but be extremely curious how their fry will look once grown. Leia's colors are pretty much in line with other convicts I've seen. Solo, however, has always had that somewhat unique coloration: beige body and barring, with his bright red fins. I'm hoping to see at least some of the fry look similar to Solo, just to get a glimpse of what Solo might've looked like as a little juvie lol. After all he was already an adult fish when I got him.