Convict breeding problems

[toogoodjohns]

Ok well maybe that seems like an oxymoron, but I'm a new cichlid enthusiast who figure why not start at the beginning. The problem was not in getting my pair to breed, they did that within 2 days of being in the tank, but it's been about 3 weeks since the fry appeared in the tank and my female has driven the male into the corner behind my filter. The two were originally in a 29 gallon with 2 jack dempseys, another 2 convicts and 2 firemouths. All the fish were juveniles none of which being much over an inch, however the pair quickly dominated the tank. I moved the two within a couple days to a 10 gal because they had manage to kill a firemouth and one of the other convicts. They seemed to enjoy their own space, and fry soon appeared in the small tank. So it's been 3 weeks now and everything was going fine, until a couple days ago the female drove the male up behind the filter and won't let him leave. I'm thinking of moving the pair back into the 29 and just propagate the fry in the 10 gal, but am not certain what will happen if I make this move. What should I do to get them back together. Any suggestions would be appreciated.

Matt

 

[repair]

You can move the parents back into the 29 but I've got to tell you that if they decide to spawn again (and they will) they will once again dominate the tank.

I would move the male back into the 29 and let the female raise the fry.

You are going to need more tanks if you decide to keep the pair together.

You know that rabits look at convicts and say "wow they breed a lot"

 

[Jason_S]

if you want to keep all those fish you will need another tank no smaller than a 55 gallon. the 29 would be great for the convict pair but the other fish would have to go. if you keep the pair in the 10 gallon then chances are the female will kill the male. I had a similar thing happen but the pair was in a 20 long. basically, when guarding the nesting area or herd of fry, the female is the one that stays right there with them while the male generally will protect the surrounding area. the only time the male will get close to the herd of fry is when he relieves the female who will temporarily search for food or dig a pit to move the fry to. as the fry become free swimming and start venturing around the tank, both parents will be more hands-on in guarding them but the female still may not want the male too close. basically they are "her kids" and he's only around to help when she needs/wants it.

 

[toogoodjohns]

Yeah I do plan on moving every one up to a 55 but being they all are only an inch or so I thought I'd have a little more time. I had read they wouldn't breed till 3 inches. I realized that books was quite in err.

1- 10 gal
2- 29 gal
1- 55 gal

 

[toogoodjohns]

ps- Thanks for the help. This forum thing is really helpful.

 

[hemiboo]

If you leave them together you can set your clock to them breeding. I just got rid of all but a few of my convict babies. Still some in the 45, but they're gone too as soon as I can catch them. The two in the 20 are probably females thats why I'm keeping them.