Convicts, Eggs

[Ben]

does one have orange on it at all?

can we have some pics?they might be something esle
DD

 

[Opcn]

I'd describe it as more of a pink blotch behind the stripes

 

[digital_run]

Yea when my cons were under an inch it was kinda hard to tell as the female hadnt really developed her bright orange belly.....But as they get bigger you wont have much trouble in spootting whos-who.

 

[fufanu360]

my female looses her color terribly after she lays eggs, then wen she ready for my fry that orange is CRAZY bright, thats probly why you cant see it

 

[j@mie]

damn u was right, the babies have gone now - i noticed the parents was acting different, not as protective! so i peered inside of the shell , and its empty - i feel pretty gutted now - the shell had loads of eggs in it, some of them was even moving, how could they eat there own babies ?

 

[Opcn]

My cons laid Eggs in a pile of rocks, its right against the back of the tank so I can see em if I look in

 

[digital_run]

damn u was right, the babies have gone now - i noticed the parents was acting different, not as protective! so i peered inside of the shell , and its empty - i feel pretty gutted now - the shell had loads of eggs in it, some of them was even moving, how could they eat there own babies ?

Just nature....practise makes perfect...and thats the way it goes.

 

[j@mie]

no no i was wrong, i looked inside another shell today,and there are loads of babies, free swimming, the mother and father keep picking them up in their mouths and spitting them back into the shell for safety, It was quite emotional to see, the parents are SO caring - advice needed here guys, food etc, what do i do now?

how many of these babies will survive, i can see approx 10-20, and i think the mother has more eggs in another shell, god! talk about rabbits on heat

cheers for all ur replies.

 

[j@mie]

hmm should i move the babies into my spare tank guys? at the moment its cold so will be uncycled, i want to give these babies the best chance possible. So is it best for me to set this tank up asap? also, will the water ph need to be as high? at the moment it has nothing in the tank, its just bare bottom. filter, heater.

thanks

 

[Ben]

leave them with the parents for 2-3 weeks, then you can move them,or if you reaqlly want themto survibe remove the other fish,then parents will do the rest for you,except feeding

DD

 

[j@mie]

can i move the babies and parents to the new tank? it will be bare thou. nothing will be in it besides a piece of tufa rock.

if i was to move the other cichlids, then id have to spend a fortune buying more rock this isnt an option at the mo, so please tell me whats best, the other tank mates arnt really happy cos of the convicts protecting there fry. so im just in a rut!

 

[parker313]

What size is the hex tank you mention? If it's a decent size, you could move the cons and the babies. You might lose some of the babies, but you just have to weigh that against a good chance of losing your labs.