Convicts Again :(

[technium]

I went and brought two 30g tanks today with heaters, pumps etc etc and 4 convicts, 2 male 2 female.

Ive split them into pairs and put them in the two tanks but the male in both tanks keeps attacking the female until shes lying on her side like shes dying, so I decided to swap the 2 females into each others tanks, again the males did this, then I put the 2 females into the 1 tank with 1 male and hes constantly got them in the corner if they move from the corner he charges at them. Why I want them to breed not kill each other....stupid fish!

 

[glolite]

Most cichlids are pretty aggressive and convicts are very much so although I've never kept convicts. Seem to remember from somewhere that the males like to choose mate so it's advisable to keep one male with several females until he chooses a mate. (I believe this is true with discus too). However, could be wrong on this.

 

[mwm]

Ya you shouldnt put two males in one tank

 

[technium]

no sorry you dont understand, theres 1 male and 2 females in the tank and the male is still attacking both females and wont let them move.

 

[digital_run]

Just because you have 2 females in there doesn't mean one of them will become his partner. The best method is 1 male and 3 or 4 females. Also breeding convicts can still turn on each other. My male has to be seperated after i notice eggs because he will attack and kill her. If these two females arent working get another 2 or 3 and reintroduce all of them at the same time and keep an eye open for a match.

 

[fufanu360]

i was lucky enough that by buying 4 cons, 3 male 1 female, i got a pair... they just laid eggs too... i have little wigglers already

 

[Vip]

i think your best choice is to add all 4 in the same tank then one male will see the other male as a intruder and will try to pair up with one of the female right away.

PS: Do you know how to tell males to females because its strange this is going on right away.

 

[technium]

How exactly do you tell the difference, Ive read that females have a colourful belly but none of these have and my last breeding pair didnt have a colourful belly. Also I hear that the male has more pointed top fin yet all these have been bitten so still unsure

 

[Vip]

you have all males and yes its true females have Orange on there bellys as well as top and bottom fin, the orange stands out alot check out my gallery in my sig i have a female con in there.

 

[technium]

VIP I understand what your saying but the last breeding pair I had never ever had an orange belly in fact they were both just black and white and they actually bred so one was obviously female so not sure why that was.

Would a breeding pair be ok to stick in my 200g tank with my lung fish and arrowana and leaf fish. The big fish shouldnt eat the convicts as they havent touched the leaf fish which are about the same size, but im concerned if they breed would they manage to harm the lung or arrowana at all?

 

[fufanu360]

i wouldnt put them in with the fish you mentioned... theyre probably best by themselves if thats possible

 

[JoKeR]

This a Pair of convicts

The female is the one with orange belly. And the male is next to her.

Sexing- What I do is always look at there dorsal fins. The pointy and long ones are males. While female are a little chubbier. The next one is Males tend to grow a bump on there head. Also provide a picture and maybe I can sex them.

Also just cause u put them togethere and separated them doesnt mean thats what they want. U need to put them all in a tank with many retrieves and let THEM choose on there own. Let nature take its course.

Good Luck!


Heres how eggs look like

 

[BlueIce]

Do you have a lot of hiding places so the female can get away from the male?

 

[JoKeR]

Do you have a lot of hiding places so the female can get away from the male?

Who u talking to?

 

[BlueIce]

Do you have a lot of hiding places so the female can get away from the male?

Who u talking to?

lol
I"m talking to the person who is having issues with the male beating the females of course.