bolivianbaby

I was not expecting this one! My two jellybean cons had some physical contact earlier. I was going to re-aquascape the tank to fix some stronger territories. I checked for eggs as a precaution and it's a good thing I did! Hekyll has "wiggling" eggs. There's itty bitty babies in there! They're part jellybean and part striped convict!

So, now what do I do? Do I just let Mom and Dad handle it or do I need to feed them or what?

Aldric

congrats on the new babies!!!!

FishMagnet

I've never bred convicts, but had many many spawn and raise their young...to the point of forcing the young ones onto people because I couldn't find room for them.
I never fed them special foods. They did just fine with what I fed the rest. But, again I didn't intentionally breed them so others will have better opinions on feeding convict fry than I do.

TedsTank

Years ago I raised the regular striped convicts....mom and dad took care of the babies....but at some point a few would "disappear"...depends on what you want, or how many you want to save...I had large spawns but only a few raised to maturity...that was ok by me.
So if you want all the babies....give mom a chance to get them going and feeding (at least 2 or 3 weeks). As you you notice they start breaking away from the school, and exploring on their own....pull them out to a grow out tank.
then she will likely want to spawn again soon.

Tony G.

its a never ending process lol
i so cant wait to see these pictures!

bolivianbaby

Thanks for the advice! I'll be searching for a 20 gallon growout tank at the auction next weekend with a stand.

I spoke with my brother about photographing some babies and he has promised as soon as his schedule calms down to get some pics for me. He's got one of those "professional photography" cameras that take wicked photos. It may not be this batch, but he has promised to come over when he can to get some pics.

In the meantime, I'll do the best I can

Shawnie

congrats grammie!!!! you dont have to do a thing and just feed them as you do mom n dad...I do up the feedings to 3-4 small amounts a day instead of 2 regular meals....

(I posted this yesterday but it ended on another post somehow) brunette moment again I guess LOL

bolivianbaby

Thank you 3-4 smaller feedings a day is definitely something I can do.

When the "princess" finally realized I was excited about babies, not just eggs, she was jumping up and down. She wants to keep one, so we'll have another added to her african tank when the pinks get some size on them. I'm starting to see four 55's being upgraded to 75's in our future.

bolivianbaby

UPDATE-Caesar's not loyal. Found another batch o' babies. They seem to be from him and Cleo! She's the only one that he'll let near the babies. I really need to be careful what I wish for

iloveengl

Ohhh! Congrats on ALL the babies! Eep! I can't wait to see pictures of what they look like; How long until they hatch? Hehehe, Ceasar's a naughty little guy, hm?

bolivianbaby

Thanks

He is naughty! Both batches have hatched. I tried both pics and a vid, but you can't really see them. Since they're parents are cons, I'm pretty sure the babies will survive so I'll get pics and vids as soon as they're big enough.

Tony G.

bolivianbaby

UPDATE AGAIN: What is going on? Now there are babies where Jekyll "nested". Either everyone is helping (which I didn't think was possible with convicts) OR Caesar has decided that he wants all three females. I tried to capture it on video, but the babies are so small, they wouldn't show up.

Could someone explain this to me? Also, I never saw non-free swimming fry where Jekyll nested, so this is really weird. I'm so confused

Gouramiguy17

Wow he is a ladies man and a child abducter. So you have 4 adults with eggs or only three? I have never heard cons do that.

bolivianbaby

I have one male striped con, one female striped con, and two (think they're female) jellybean cons. I know, this is confusing. I haven't tampered with anything because I don't want to accidentally squish a baby, but this is very weird. There are three sets of babies with three adults. My female striped isn't guarding any. She's been staying in the castle and when she comes out, my male striped moves her back in.

SWilkins

You said you wanted babies. I told you to be careful what you wished for.

bolivianbaby

What did you and Shawnie put in that water?

Tony G.

i remember someone saying that convicts go around fertilizing eggs, even if its not from their spawn...

bolivianbaby

I guess we've figured out why they're not an endangered species

TedsTank

When I have a trio of apistos in the community tanks...the male will visit each female!!! and can get 2 spawns at once!!!! He has a harem !!!! and you wanted babies so in appreciation...guess what!!!! Have fun....

bolivianbaby

Thanks Ted! Another great reminder to be careful what we wish for, right? I am very tickled, though.

SWilkins

I did not put anything in the water but I am not drinking it either!!!!

You should'a wished for a million dollars!!!

bolivianbaby

I'm gonna wish for a million dollars next time for sure

SWilkins

Too late you have to do it the first time it never works after you have had time to think about it....trust me I tried!!!

bolivianbaby

Oh, sure, now you tell me

btate617

Right on BB.

Are you sure there is only one male in the tank?
Someone mentioned their Africans, with their male going around fert. all the females eggs. That is what is to be expected in harem breeders, which convicts are not. They normally form very strong bonded pairs, that is why I asked if you had more than one male in the tank.
They also will take their fry and move them around if threatened, possibly that is what has happened.
I would be surprised if one male spawned with more than one female at a time.... but anything is possible.

Good luck with the fry.

Brian

bolivianbaby

I know for a fact there's only one STRIPED male in the tank. However, we've been trying to sex the jellybeans since before Shawnie shipped them.

Thank you. We're VERY happy!

I'm still kinda new to cons, but I think I've seen egg tubes on both jellys, so anything is possible.

I would be estactic if we had a pair of jellys! As far as I can tell, they look exactly alike. And you know how I am with my fish, they've been inspected closely for differences. The only way I can tell them apart is where they hang out.

UPDATE: Yeah, they're definitely sharing. Now there's babies with Cleo (female striped) in the castle, babies with Caesar (male striped) by the log, babies with Hekyll (jelly) in the cave, and babies with Jekyll (jelly) under the root decoration.

I don't think I'll know whether they're from jellys or striped until they show color. This is so crazy, it's funny.

10gallonmadness

Woah, maybe they have joint custody?

bolivianbaby

Or an actual custody battle