I heart cichlids

A few weeks ago I was asking about how I know that my convicts are breeding (they were doing that dancing around and stuff). Well, I was on the computer this afternoon doing my taxes and my wife called me over to the tank to show me that we are now the proud owners of a few dozen convict babies.

Unfortunately, the location of the fry keeps me from taking a good picture of them, but I wanted to let everyone know about it. I'll post pictures as soon as I can get a good shot of them.

Shawnie

AWESOME!!!!!!!!!!!! congrats !

does your female have orange on her belly and the male doesnt?? just curious as ive read alot on them

Allie

Have fun...they are the best fish to learn about aggressive parenting. They will try to attack you thru the glass if they feel you are too close to their fry. Too funny. Our males always flare the fins and gills at us. Feisty cute fish.

I heart cichlids

Thanks for the quick replies.

Yes, the female has the orange belly and the male doesn't.

They dug a gully in the gravel under a rock formation that we put in there, and that's where the fry are now. Some of them swam out of the area, and the female swam up, got them in her mouth, and brought them back to the gully. Too cute.

Also, the male is in the gully keeping watch over the fry, and the female is above the gully keeping watch on the other fish in the tank.

Now how do I do water changes with the fry in there? Do I just take the water from the top? And when and what do I start feeding the fry? I've been reading that I should wait a week because they eat the yolk sacs when they're born.

Last question (for now)...how many usually survive? I have other cichlids in the tank, including two red-topped zebras and a six-inch Jack Dempsey. They've been leaving the convicts alone since the eggs were laid, but now I'm wondering if it's feeding time.

Shawnie

I was just reading an article on the JD's as parents..one guy had his pair in with a 9 inch oscar and the jacks held their own against that oscar..they make great parents and will protect till the end ...would be awesome tho if they all had their own tank if possible..thanks for the info on the red bellys...do you have a video camera?? id love to see the parents in action...water changes should be ok with just a lil on the top..dont be surprised if those convicts come after all things with those awesome babies...goodluck!

Allie

Red Top zebras are African cichlids and should be in a Lake Malawi set up. Red Top Zebra are super aggressive when mature or in breeding mode. They have different what requirements than the other fish you have. Not all cichlids can go together no matter how aggressive they are. You want the fish to thrive not survive. The convicts will try to attack whoever goes near them.

I heart cichlids

Yeah, we thought about that. Another tank may be coming in the future.

I heart cichlids

Got them on video.

darkwolf29a

Very cool. I used to have convicts. I, mercifully, got an offer from,a friend for them. They're fun for awhile. Great fish to learn on though. Enjoy