Jade Eye Cichlid

[rvm]

I have a pair of Jade Eye Cichlids in a community tank. Pretty much the only things I know about them are that they are peaceful in a community tank, the male will be about 5-6" and the female smaller, and that they breed!!!!
I've tried to find some more out about them on the net, but can't really find too much, can anyone tell me anything about them??

 

[Vip]

There a convict with a differnt name really, if yours has hit 6" then it fully grown, they are a peaceful fish but turn ugly when breeding because they loose there color, they will also defend there babies with there life and will try to kill any that comes near. There from central american so there a hardy fish and dont need much attention like a discus or anything.

 

[rvm]

Thanks VIP, are there any specific breeding requirements, and would it be a good idea for me to get a 10 gallon tank for them if and when they breed so they can be on their own without threat from my tiger barbs? the male is only about 3" at the moment, so I don't think they will be breeding just yet, but when they do, what should I look out for.
Sorry to be so dumb, I've never kept cichlids before!!!!

 

[Vip]

hmmm a 10g might be a bit to small, i would go for a 20g, just remember these fish breed VERY easy and alot to, i dont think a 10g will hold 50 fry every 3 weeks.

 

[Vip]

When they are about to, the male will never leave the female alone witchs means they have paired up. The male will start to clean a rock or even dig down to the bottom of your tank. You might not see this happen, but if they seem to be hanging around the same place of the tank for about 2 days or so i bet they will have eggs.

 

[duendecillo]

sorry to disturb this thread, but I just read something interesting that you said, vip.
I have a pair of convicts since a few days, and I would like to know if they have paired off. What's the exact behaviour to look for?
The male chases the female sometimes, but sometimes they are each on another side of the tank, and sometimes they just stay together...
so I can't really see a sign of them becoming a pair...

 

[Vip]

wow, thats really weird, sounds like there having trouble in there relationship
when they dont leave each other alone, and the male stands up and defends the female, thats when i would say they are a pair.