Cichlid Breeding Question.

[JoeyBlackrose]

Hey Yall. I have in my 29 gallon tank a S.A Convict (f) and an African Turquoise (m). The two have grown up in this tank the last year. Both were Juvie's

The two have gotten along very well in the tank. On occasion the Convict will chase the Turq. Tonight when I got home I notice the Convict had moved rocks away from one of the big rocks I have in the Tank. BIGGING A PIT!!! There is also a white sack that has formed on the under belly of the Con. The Turq. is brightly colored the likes Ive not seen in this fish. Is it possible for the two to have crossbred?

While wrighting this I have felt I should serprate the two as they have Started to FIGHT with each other. NEVER have I seen this with These Two fish.

Thanks for any Feed back.

Joey

 

[FrankSlapperinni]

I suppose it is possible that the fish have attempted to breed, but the products would surely not be viable. Both being cichlids raised with each other it is possible some sort of bond or connection may have developed from similar ancestry and habits, but if the African turquoise is indeed from Africa (I'm not familiar with the species), the parent genes would be too divergent to produce any offspring.
The note you have of a white sack I find slightly troubling. I have never kept Convicts, or South American Cichlids for that matter, but in the years I’ve had an African Mbuna tanks I have never noticed any sort of sack formation on any of the females who have produced fry, nor have I read any accounts of such a sack forming on cichlids for producing eggs. If you could please provide a more complete description, perhaps someone more knowledgeable about South American cichlids could help you.

 

[JoeyBlackrose]

OK. This is the Update.


After posting I called a buddy of mine. He came by to see what was up. He told me it was a good idea to seprate the two fish.

He said that it was possible (however slim) that they could cross. But warned me it would not be a good Idea.

As for the sack I saw under the Con. He told me was a Breeding tube and he said I was such a newbie. LOL.

I did get some GREAT PICS of my African that night. The colors he was showing were BEAUTIFUL!!!!

I will be posting them later tonight!


Joey