What influences convict breeding?

[CHOMPERS]

I have a single pair of convicts that have staked out their territory but they are not breeding. At feeding time and a few other times they abandon their corner (both at the same time) only to lay claim to it again later. I have two problems so far...I have eight convicts but only one pair. (Three are female.) What can be done to encourage the others to pair up. Also what can be done to get the paired convicts to get to home base and start laying.

I feed several times daily and I have increased the water temp to 80F but this still has not helped. W/C's are about 10% eod.

Please hold the Luther Vandross comments and and those of fish porn. They are are worn out and over used. Please keep it serious so that others may also find this useful at a later date.

Tanks!

 

[abpositive]

The only logical thing that I can think of is possibly they are feeling too threatened by the other fish in the tank to spawn. Yes, I understand that is virtually unheard of in convicts, but still possible and truly the most likely since your water changes are frequent and your temp is good AND they have paired...

As an experiment, I would put them in their own tank (or rubbermaid, or whatever) and see if their behavior becomes more "convict-like"--



Okay, JUST one joke. If you don't have a spare tank to put them in, I've heard they'll spawn in a toilet tank...or a half a can of beer.

Sorry. At least I put the serious stuff first.

 

[Joshy]

Indeed, i actually think that abpositive is on the right lines.
The pair are not breeding due to the other convicts, is my best guess.

I bet you that if you remove all the others temporarily, the pair will indeed lay eggs.
Another scenario and a more logical one is that the pair are still young and inexperienced in reproducing. Like most cichlids, pairs need time to learn the ropes and practice.

 

[rallysman]

The only thing needed to make convicts spawn is a male, a female, and water IMO
Sometimes a larger water change of slightly cooler water will induce a spawn.

 

[AquataHolic420]

How big of a tank are we talking here? that may have some significance too.. i have 2 pair sin my 55 G with about 150 babies right now... one pair gets atleast 100 babies every spawning and the other pair gets about 25. I have one fish that has babies with every female.. hes a PIMP. But i would take out some of the other useless fish(not showing any sexuality, Fin dancing, other breeding behaviors ETC.) Recently i woke up to a Female convict practically dead in the tank.. so i now beleive that 6 Cons in a 55 are too much.. even though they were only about 1.5" long or so...

All in all i'd say, feed them some frozen brine shrimp , bloodworms, keep your water around that Temp, MINE IS 77' roughly... and ADD MORE CAVES!!

snd some pics, i'd enjoy them

 

[skinless]

The only thing needed to make convicts spawn is a male, a female, and water IMO
Sometimes a larger water change of slightly cooler water will induce a spawn.

totally.

a pair + water, you should have eggs by now.
sorry bout your luck

 

[Bderick67]

How old are your convicts, they are probably too young still. I have found that 2 pair in a 55 gallon with lots of cave works best for mine. 3 pair was just to cramped. From what i have seen covicts will breed regardless of how many are in the tank but if the tank is to small, new parents may eat the eggs or the fry. Also if you don't regulate the numbers in the tank the parents of the fry will.

 

[Plumber]

You might try taking some of the others out.
The pair may not be quite comfortable with all the others up in their bidness.

I have a single pair in a tank of their own with no shortage of fry and I think as long as they have their flower pot and I keep them at least slightly damp, they're cool with it.

 

[CHOMPERS]

The only logical thing that I can think of is possibly they are feeling too threatened by the other fish in the tank to spawn. Yes, I understand that is virtually unheard of in convicts, but still possible and truly the most likely since your water changes are frequent and your temp is good AND they have paired...

As an experiment, I would put them in their own tank (or rubbermaid, or whatever) and see if their behavior becomes more "convict-like"--



Okay, JUST one joke. If you don't have a spare tank to put them in, I've heard they'll spawn in a toilet tank...or a half a can of beer.

Sorry. At least I put the serious stuff first.

Actually I don't mind the funny stuff. I just wanted some serious stuff first so others would later find this usefull. Now on to the other posts.

Btw, I found out that adding blood worms to the diet should help too. I started that today. I have been feeding Tetra Cichlid granuals and Tetra flakes (for color).

 

[CHOMPERS]

Indeed, i actually think that abpositive is on the right lines.
The pair are not breeding due to the other convicts, is my best guess.

I bet you that if you remove all the others temporarily, the pair will indeed lay eggs.
Another scenario and a more logical one is that the pair are still young and inexperienced in reproducing. Like most cichlids, pairs need time to learn the ropes and practice.

That's a good point too. Thanks. The female was about 3/4 to 1 inch when I got her. She paired up right away and is now about 1 1/2 inch. I have heard a lot that they start to mature sexually at 3/4 inch...or at least they can start to lay at that young of age. Since she has gotten larger, it seems that she should at least be trying. My pink female is still not interested in the males so age may have a lot to do with it.
Tanks again