cherbear

So about not even 2 weeks ago I bought a pair of Convicts and I noticed the baby fry on Tuesday 1/6. This is my first time ever to have breeding fish. So this is all new to me. How often do they have the fry? What are the chances of the fry surviving if you take them away from the parents? Any advise or info that anyone has please share with me.

In the tank with the Convicts is
(2) Neon Jewel Cichlids
(1) Geophagusus Jepulatin
(2) Geophagusus Brasilian
(1) Fiddler Crabs
(1) Tire Track Eel
(10) Tiger Barbs

I had 2 Fiddler Crabs but when I got home from work all that was left of one of them has a claw and shell as I think the Convicts attacked him cause he was in there cave.

Oh yea an African Cichlid was just added. I'm not sure what kind he is. A co worker had him and didn't want him anymore. So I ended up taking him in. He is a bluish color depending on the lighting with black stripes going down him going vertical.

Amanda

Well, first an African Cichlid cannot be in the same tank with SA cichlids such as Convicts. African cichlids are much more aggressive.

cherbear

The African was just put in yesterday. So far everyone has been getting along. If anything I can take the African to the pet store and get store credit. All the other fish have learned not to go near the cave where the Convicts are as they are protecting the fry.

Amanda

What is your pH? Africans prefer a lower pH (hard water), while SA cichlids prefer a higher pH (slightly acidic water). That's another reason why the two don't mix. It's not done often, too many differences.

cherbear

I'm not sure what the pH is my husband has been keeping track of that. We will probably take him to the pet store tomorrow.

Amanda

That's best for both the african & the other fish.
Especially with fry, there's no need to add more stress to the tank.

cherbear

This is true. I know the fish guy at the store and is really nice about it. I got $10 for the Jack Dempsey that I had. He was another one that a coworker didn't want cause he was to big. Everyone seems to bring there unwanted fish to me.

Amanda

Haha!
Well everyone comes to be about advice for fish, so I know the feeling.
At least you know to sell them back to your LFS, then you have money to do more with your tank. Win, win - the fish gets a proper home & you get to spend more on your tank!

cherbear

That is how I always looked at it too.

cherbear

Well the fry are now swimming on there own. I love to watch the parents with the fry. It is amazing watching them take care of the fry.

Shawnie

you have to do nothing for convict fry..as you can tell, mom and dad do it all...im surprised tho they havent killed any other fish in the tank with them...you are fortunate...usually no other fish can be in the same tank but your tank is huge so that would probably be why...I have a pair in a 75 gal and they keep everyone but the angels on one side of the tank LOL...they will breed every 4 weeks or so ...once they lay eggs again, their first batch of babies will become targets as the other fish are if they come neir their den

killpoint2009

my male convict got really fat and theres oranging but how if hes a male and my female is fat at all im confused :s

Shawnie

welcome to fishlore killpoint!!
males wont have orange...just the fems do

killpoint2009

so he's just eating too much? and its my imagination with the orange cuz i want them too breed so badly?

Shawnie

if you start a thread with your pics of your fish, we can help you with it

killpoint2009

i dont have a cam hes just fat i second checked
how long are they when they become able to breed