convicts

[fishbait]

hi my convicts dont seem to get along. she is heavy with eggs and has dug a substantial hole, he has done the same but seems to be bullied by the larger female! I HAVE SEEN NO COURTSHIP AS SUCH AND AM CONCERNED THAT HE MAY NOT BE UP FOR THE JOB. Any one got any advice? Get a new male?

[andyjevs]

No...do not get a new male. All cichlids pick their own mates after going through a lot of courtship rituals such as trials of strength (mouth wrestling) etc. Once together, they will pair up for life.

Males are usually the aggressors in the relationship but occasionally, the tables can be turned. I had a breeding pair of Kribs and Brown Acaras where the females were nasty at spawning time.

If you add another male now, chances are that the female would kill the male or the new male might not appreciate his new "wife".....and one would almost certainly get killed.

Spawning can be a rough time with any mated pairs of cichlids as the "trials of strength" continue. It's often recommendd that the pair are seperated by a tank devider such as clear glass or perspex. They must be able to see each other. Both fish are conditioned well using live food and after a couple of days, the fish are allowed to get together.
You might have to do this several times and if it still doesnt work, you might just have to accept that they will never be compatible.

Good luck and be patient....they are a very rewarding species of fish to breed.

Andy

[NORMANTHEDOG]

please do tell me what a covict is,i have never heard of this before,thanks

[NORMANTHEDOG]

i meant convict

[andyjevs]

It's a small, central american tropical fish from the Cichlid family

[fishbait]

thanks andy great advice,

have today taken a torch and can now see many eggs at the back of the plant pot she seems to have taken ownership of. I think the pet shop sold me a smaller male on purpose as i have since read that many females can get battered by bigger males! fingers crossed all is well.