Need Your Help Sexing These 2 Convicts

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RampageRR said:
I just went to 6 different stores looking to buy a pair of convicts to breed for feeders. Yes 6! What happened to these guys being readily available everywhere I went when I was growing up? :) I am definitely not a newcomer when it comes to fishkeeping in general, but when it comes to CA/SA cichlids, these would be my first. I've tried to read and figure out most of everything on my own without asking unnecessary questions, but this one I feel needs to be asked.

Anyways, I found the one I believe to be a female at one store, being the only one they had left (the one that has the bright orange coloration on the belly and fins). The male I found at the last store, it was the largest one they had and is probably 1/2" or so smaller than the female I had already picked up. Can you guys take a look at these two and ease my mind and tell me I at least have a single male and female convict pair here? If not, then I'll need to go back out and find whatever of the two I'm missing. Thanks!

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If hard to tell from the pictures but I believe the 2nd picture is female. A female will have an orange belly, males do not. Very easy to sex them that way.

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Awesome, so it looks to be like I've got one of each then. There is a 100% noticeable difference in color between the two, one being devoid of any orange at all, and the one pictured has loads of orange. I'll keep you all posted on my progress here.

Assuming I do have a pair here, what is a reasonable time to expect before seeing eggs? Most places I have read info on state everything but how long it would take a new pair to settle in and produce fry. I'm assuming it would take a week or two for them to settle in to a new tank before even expecting any results, would that be fair?
 
I have had a new pair of convicts produce eggs in as little as three days after purchase. I recently have a pair of HRP's produce eggs in two days after being shipped in too me.

I would watch out and air with caution though since your female is larger than the male.
 
+1. I've heard of it happening, but I've never had a female breed with a smaller male. The male will grow quicker than the female, but I've had best luck when male was 1/2" bigger than the female. Fastest for me was 3 days.


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The fastest I've ever had a pair breed was the same night I got em.
 
Got a couple of somewhat better pics of the pair. Let me know if you're able to better tell if this is indeed a male and female for sure. Thanks!

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