Flat surface for Cons

[NCStateFisher]

Hey I'm trying to breed my first pair of convicts, i think i remember reading that they need a flat place to lay their eggs - i put a small plate in the tank would this be sufficient? Thanks

 

[Laticauda]

I've heard they like caves, but that's entirely hear-say, I've never had the "pleasure" of keeping these guys. The closest I've come was buying a 55 gallon with three convicts and two oscars...Gave all the fish (including whatever fry didn't get siphoned out of the tank) to a pet store.

 

[NCStateFisher]

hmm. well then if they dont spawn with the plate in there i'll replace it with a small cave or rock that i have, thanks

 

[mindgame]

I dont mean to be a thread steeler but I am attempting the same thing right now. I put a flat rock in the corner and they dug out the gravel around it and now they fight like crazy a few times a day with the female attacking the male when ever he comes near the cave. Could this be the beginning of breading?

 

[Bazinga]

try a flower pot and have some drift wood laying around it

 

[crabbejoe]

The ones I've had liked caves, but they're not super picky. Lean your flat rock up against something. That's a good enough cave. They do kind of fight before mating. Must be the convict way of flirting!

 

[Gruff Master]

Convicts are not too picky about breeding requirements. They are eager as rabbits. I've had them breed in Terra Cotta pots, pieces of slate, and in the corner of the tank. A plate wood work too. Best thing is to leave a few places for them to choose from and they'll do the rest. Good luck.

 

[Younglin]

Add a male and female and wait. They will breed in a bare tank. They are prolific buggers.

 

[Sab_Fan]

I've had cons lay eggs on driftwood, and I've had 'em lay eggs in a flower-pot cave ... they're pretty flexible about it

personally, I think a flower-pot cave, or a flat rock, are best bets ... the advantage of the flower-pot cave is it can be easier for them to defend ...

 

[NCStateFisher]

cool deal, thanks for the input everybody - these 2 had bred at work and their eggs were wigglers, probably would have hatched tomorrow, but i had been considering getting a breeding pair anyways and they were tearing up our other convicts and even small jags - they seem to be settling in nicely

- one other question - instead of a sponge I put one of those drawstring really fine mesh media bags around the filter intake - do you think this will be an acceptable way to keep the fry from getting sucked up?