I have a male/female pair of convicts and I am hoping that they breed (which apparently is easy). They have not bred as of yet, but I noticed today that the female was hanging near the surface of the water and just staying in one general spot. Once and a while she would swim around the tank. She is eating normally, and the male is in perfect health. All water parameters are fine, so I am wondering if she may be pregnant?? Any info would be greatly appreciated.
Breeding Convicts, Info PLEASE!
- Thread starter mainy999
- Start date
Convict pairs are likely impossible not to breed. My cons use a clay pot to attach the eggs and I can usually tell when something is up. After digging a "barrier" near the entrance, they will take turns guarding and just hanging close to the pot all day. Even at feeding time, they will take turns coming up to the surface. They will appear very protective and secretive at the same time (yeah,a totally screwed description).
Plus, prior to laying eggs, the two will likely lip lock and "dance" for a day or two. Bruising or scrapes around their mouths would be tell tale signs if not directly observed.
from your description, it wouldn't seem like they're breeding, but hey, its only a matter of time.
Plus, prior to laying eggs, the two will likely lip lock and "dance" for a day or two. Bruising or scrapes around their mouths would be tell tale signs if not directly observed.
from your description, it wouldn't seem like they're breeding, but hey, its only a matter of time.
once they start breeding some pairs will do it about every two weeks, i have four breeding pairs and they breed like clockwork
yeah, i dont have too much expierience with them but a friend of mine has two breeding pairs and well, he never has to buy feeders! 
i have a pair of pink convicts (i am not sure if one is a male yet) and the female laid eggs this morning. Hopefully, the male is guarding the eggs (one is guarding them, i just can't tell m/f). They are only an inch and a half long and already trying to spawn. If it turns out one is not a male, i will try to acquire one since i have a spawning female. i didn't have to do a thing to get her to lay eggs though, so if you have a for sure pair they should breed in no time.
Do males usually guard the eggs? the one guarding the eggs has pointier fins and is a LOT less orange. Help me please.....
yeah bud,
the male shouldnt have any orange coloration (typically), will have more pointed fins, and should appear larger in size (more girth), than the female. As they grow larger, the nuchal hump should be easy to spot on the male.
Both parents will tend to protect the eggs and raise the fry together, although I have had instances where they have turned on each other at some point after the eggs have hatched. They have always made up.
the male shouldnt have any orange coloration (typically), will have more pointed fins, and should appear larger in size (more girth), than the female. As they grow larger, the nuchal hump should be easy to spot on the male.
Both parents will tend to protect the eggs and raise the fry together, although I have had instances where they have turned on each other at some point after the eggs have hatched. They have always made up.
We don't really have convicts around here where I'm at. Cause they breed soooo much.. But my ex-wifes Aunt and Uncle had a tank full... They had a few pairs. and It would seem they would pair up then breed. Some of the females were extremely particular about which males they would breed with, But we took two males and a female home. after a week the female had made her decision and the rest was history....