BREEDING EFFECTS?!

[Community Disorganizer]

My convicts have spawned 7 times in a little over a year. My female was small beforehand, but has since slowed down in growing alot, but my male has grown by leaps and bounds. I too noticed when they are protecting fry or eggs, they really curb their appetite alot. I have since separated them, and my male con eats like a pig and is practically a wet pet!

 

[aclockworkorange]

I would say, both in my experience and that of many people I know who have been breeding fish longer than I have, breeding pairs of cichlids definitely slow down in growth compared to those that aren't.


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[Mr. Rain Cloud]

My convicts have spawned 7 times in a little over a year. My female was small beforehand, but has since slowed down in growing alot, but my male has grown by leaps and bounds. I too noticed when they are protecting fry or eggs, they really curb their appetite alot. I have since separated them, and my male con eats like a pig and is practically a wet pet!

That's awesome! I'm sure you are not too worried if either will breed again since it doesn't take much to get them started eh?

Thanks for sharing!

I would say, both in my experience and that of many people I know who have been breeding fish longer than I have, breeding pairs of cichlids definitely slow down in growth compared to those that aren't.


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Thank you for the information, this gives me a better perspective on cichlids' growth while breeding vs not breeding.

But why would you take there natural behavior away from them? Animals and people were put here to repopulate. Seriously let the fish get it on!

What you say is true, but this doesn't happen so frequently in nature, they're only breeding so much because they are in a confined area. Too much of anything isn't healthy and this is my main concern. I'd like to give them time for themselves also, instead of devoting all their energy to creating and caring for offspring non-stop.

Don't you want your monster fish to reach their monster size also? It may not be possible if all their energy is spent on something else.

 

[golcondorus]

Yeah, I'm an advocate of letting the fish get pretty good sized before breeding them. I know it's not exactly the same but think about humans, we could start breeding around 11 or 12 years old but I don't think anyone would consider that a great breeding age for us. Same for fish and reptiles in my opinion.


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[Mr. Rain Cloud]

Yeah, I'm an advocate of letting the fish get pretty good sized before breeding them. I know it's not exactly the same but think about humans, we could start breeding around 11 or 12 years old but I don't think anyone would consider that a great breeding age for us. Same for fish and reptiles in my opinion.


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I agree with you there, the only thing is that adults are harder to get along/match

What's your experience like on introducing good sized fish to each other for breeding?