I know it is considered unwise to introduce convicts separately, it is much better to buy a handful and let them pair off on their own. My male convict (Elijah) I had about a month and a half, and he is the only fish that survived my tank being cycled. I kick myself for not researching my fish first, so I set up the tank, and after a few days bought a green terror, a red tail black shark, a few tiger barbs, and a really small convict sickled. In a few hours, my tiger barbs kicked the bucket, then a few more hours, my shark died. It took a few days, but my green terror also bit the bullet. My convict was all alone. I credit the casualties to New Tank Syndrome and I placed an ornament in the tank that is for terriaums.
I then bought 8 zebra danios as distractions, and an algae eater. It seemed that every week that went by, my convict body bagged a zebra; I have 2 left. Anyway, a brand new pet store opened by my house, and they had a female convict just about Elijahs size with a bright orange belly! So being impulsive that I am, I snagged her. The moment I put her in, Elijah chased her around relentlessly, I thought I would have to return her. But I studied up, and it seems that cons like to test eachother; to see if they are fit for breeding. So I let it go and the next few days those 2 were inseparable.
The cliff notes version is that they laid eggs and now I have free swimming fry! I named her Yoshi, but she is fiercy aggressive when it comes to her fry! When Elijah investigates the flowerpot on the opposite side of the tank and is gone too long, Yoshi rushes over and gives him a peck on the cheek; a signal to get over and tend to guarding the fry! On May 15th, Elijah and Yoshis fry were free swimmers!
The happy couple:
The proud parents tending to their offspring:
I then bought 8 zebra danios as distractions, and an algae eater. It seemed that every week that went by, my convict body bagged a zebra; I have 2 left. Anyway, a brand new pet store opened by my house, and they had a female convict just about Elijahs size with a bright orange belly! So being impulsive that I am, I snagged her. The moment I put her in, Elijah chased her around relentlessly, I thought I would have to return her. But I studied up, and it seems that cons like to test eachother; to see if they are fit for breeding. So I let it go and the next few days those 2 were inseparable.
The cliff notes version is that they laid eggs and now I have free swimming fry! I named her Yoshi, but she is fiercy aggressive when it comes to her fry! When Elijah investigates the flowerpot on the opposite side of the tank and is gone too long, Yoshi rushes over and gives him a peck on the cheek; a signal to get over and tend to guarding the fry! On May 15th, Elijah and Yoshis fry were free swimmers!
The happy couple:
The proud parents tending to their offspring:
