Convict question.

[Randys]

Is it possible for a male convict to have a hint of red color on his sides? I've always read that only the females have color on their sides.

I've got what appears to be a mated pair that had fry but occasionally the male has red on his sides. Once the fry became free swimming the pair was definitely working together to care for them. There was an extra male in the tank at that time so I'm not 100% sure who spawned with who. Although the extra male was always the odd man out so I doubt if he was ever able to get anywhere close to the female.

 

[Magnus_Bane]

In my experience I have had female convicts group together and reproduce with a single male at the same time. My male had 3 female he would breed with at the same time and all 3 would pool the eggs and young together. However unlike you my male usually chased the 2 smaller female away from the clutches aftwards and would raise all 3 clutches with only his favorite female. Granted for some other strange reason all the babies born ended up always being females. My guess was he would eat the male offspring and leave the females to grow up and breed with.