I am getting my little 2.5" female convict a male friend tomorrow. I know that convicts are one of the easiest fish to breed, but I have never breed any fish other than guppies. I have read and heard a lot about it and have pretty good idea about what to do but was wondering if anybody has any tricks or special tips that might help out a newbee breeder?
Breeding Convicts
- Thread starter thedarkone
- Start date
I have always had luck triggering a spawn by feeding lots of live foods (black worms, red wigglers, etc) then doing a big water change with slightly cooler water. Within a few days, they will know what to do. Give them a cave or pot to spawn in and watch them go. I usually leave the fry with the parents instead of trying to raise them up in a separate tank. The parenting behavior is really fun to watch.
I have always had luck triggering a spawn by feeding lots of live foods (black worms, red wigglers, etc) then doing a big water change with slightly cooler water. Within a few days, they will know what to do. Give them a cave or pot to spawn in and watch them go. I usually leave the fry with the parents instead of trying to raise them up in a separate tank. The parenting behavior is really fun to watch.
Just add water. 
Seriously though, its almost as easy as that. Give them a terracota pot, and they'll do the rest. I've got a pair right now that have been taking care of their young for about two months now in my 125 gallon with other cichlids twice their size, and they're doing a great job. Good luck
Seriously though, its almost as easy as that. Give them a terracota pot, and they'll do the rest. I've got a pair right now that have been taking care of their young for about two months now in my 125 gallon with other cichlids twice their size, and they're doing a great job. Good luck
yeah just give them rocks and stuff like you would anyways, like previously said if they aren't getting on with it i have triggered spawns with my GT by doing a big double waterchange, my GTs laid eggs within like 3 hours of doing this haha
So I put he male in around 6pm last night, and at first it wasn't so good. For about 2 hours my female beat the living snot out of the male, she is a total pain!
After she calmed down (and she did some damage to his tail and dorsal fin they are pretty tattered) They actually started to get along, or I should say she let him get within 2 inches of her without her going spastic. They started doing the whole body shaking and tail slapping thing, and for what I have heard that is a good thing.
So now that it looks like they are going to pair up I am going to put a piece of slate in there for them, do like a 50% water change and feed them some earthworms. Hopefully doing all of this will give me an advantage.
Wish me luck.
After she calmed down (and she did some damage to his tail and dorsal fin they are pretty tattered) They actually started to get along, or I should say she let him get within 2 inches of her without her going spastic. They started doing the whole body shaking and tail slapping thing, and for what I have heard that is a good thing.
So now that it looks like they are going to pair up I am going to put a piece of slate in there for them, do like a 50% water change and feed them some earthworms. Hopefully doing all of this will give me an advantage.
Wish me luck.
the clay pot thing really works as they make good parents and will be able to keep the fry somewhat safe.